Rutgers Men's Lacrosse Announces Freshman Class
Sep 08 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (September 8, 2014) –The Rutgers’ men’s lacrosse program welcomed 14 newcomers to campus as fall classes began. With fall practice beginning today, fourth-year head coach Brian Brecht announced a 14-person class that includes six midfielders, four defensemen, three attackers, and one goalkeeper.
“I am very pleased to welcome this impressive class to the Rutgers lacrosse family”, coach Brecht said. “This is our first Big Ten recruiting class and I feel they will help complement our returning players, who are coming off their most successful season in ten years, reaching the post season and recording the most wins since 2004. The athletic abilities and skill set that each of these student-athletes possess has the staff very excited to begin fall practices and work outs as we prepare for our upcoming inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.”
The class also includes six players who have received US Lacrosse All-America honors, including D Alex Bronzo (Putnam Valley, N.Y.), A Jules Heningburg (Maplewood, N.J.), GK Alex Larson (Scottsdale, Ariz.), D Michael Rexrode (Leesburg, Va.), M Chad Tolliver (Sandy Spring, Ga.) and A Connor Vercruysse (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.).
The newcomers span six different states, along with two players from Ontario joining student-athletes from New York (4), New Jersey (3), Virginia (2), Georgia (1), Arizona (1) and Utah (1).
2014 Scarlet Knight Newcomers:
Alex Bronzo, Defense, 5-10, 185
Putnam Valley, N.Y., Putnam Valley HS
Prior to Rutgers: US Lacrosse All-American in 2014 … four-year varsity starter at Putnam Valley HS … served as team captain during senior campaign … All-Section and All-League player during final season at Putnam Valley … earned All-Section and All-League honors as a junior, amassing 31 groundballs and causing 19 turnovers … three-year varsity starter in football as a RB/OLB, serving as team captain during the 2013 season and earning All-Section and All-League honors … chosen as Putnam Valley’s Most Outstanding Male Senior Athlete … also received Putnam Valley HS Offensive Back of the Year award … recognized as a scholar athlete in both lacrosse and football … parents are Alex and Debbie Bronzo … has a younger brother, Kyle … born Dec. 20, 1995.
Adam Charalambides, Attack, 6-2, 195
Georgetown, Ont., The Hill Academy / Christ the King HS
Prior to Rutgers: Four-year varsity player … spent first three seasons at Christ the King High School and played senior year at The Hill Academy … named team’s most improved player during senior campaign … had very successful career for the Halton Hills Bulldogs in Box Lacrosse … in 2013 at Jr. C level he was named Jr. C Rookie of the Year after leading team in scoring in both regular season and playoffs as he won the Meredith Cup … totaled 58 goals and 77 assists for 125 points in 28 total games … in 2014 at Jr. B level he again led the Bulldogs in scoring in the regular season and postseason for the Eastern Conference Champions squad … scored 71 goals and 80 assists for 151 points in 29 games … also became franchise record holder for most goals in a single game with a nine-goal performance … played two years of football … also participated in hockey and basketball at The Hill Academy … parents are Harry Charalambides and Debra Shaw … has an older brother, Lucas … born Feb. 12, 1996.
Austin Divitcos, Midfield, 5-10, 175
Richmond Hill, Ont., The Hill Academy / Bill Cothers Secondary School
Prior to Rutgers: Played two varsity seasons at The Hill Academy, including a post graduate year, after three varsity years at Bill Cothers Secondary School … earned Male Athlete of the Year award as a senior and the “18-45” award as a post-graduate student … served as co-captain of the varsity team in each of his three years at Bill Cothers Secondary School … helped Bill Cothers to York Region Athletic Association championship during junior season … four-year Honors Student in high school … parents are Bob and Mary Divitcos … has a brother, Jordan, and a sister, Tia … born Aug. 30, 1995.
Joseph Francisco, Midfield, 6-0, 205
Clark, N.J., Arthur L. Johnson HS
Prior to Rutgers: Four-year varsity starter at Arthur L. Johnson HS, helping team to a South Jersey Group 1 State Title his senior year … named second team All-State and first team All-County … captained squad as a senior, scoring 37 goals and 22 assists for 59 points with 89 ground balls and a 68.9 faceoff winning percentage … totaled 94 goals, 50 assists and 339 ground balls in high school career … scored career-high six goals in Sectional State Championship game vs. Rumson HS … also earned second-team All-County honors as a running back for Arthur L. Johnson … parents are Tracey and David Francisco … has two older brothers, Nicholas and Christian … born Jan. 6, 1996.
Jules Heningburg, Attack, 6-2, 185
Maplewood, NJ, Seton Hall Prep / Columbia HS
Prior to Rutgers: US Lacrosse All-American at Seton Hall Prep, the first in the school’s history … second in school history with 136 points … earned first team All-State, All-County, All-Conference and All-Division during senior campaign as a captain, scoring 55 goals and 34 assists … helped team to Essex County title … named Essex County Player of the Year as a senior … led team in points junior year with 47 on 24 goals and 23 assists after transferring from Columbia HS … helped team to Essex County title … first-team All-County, All-Conference and All-Division and second team All-State … played sophomore seasons at Columbia HS, earning first-team All-Division with 57 points … also played one varsity season of basketball as a junior for Seton Hall Prep, helping team to Essex County title … parents are Gus and Maria Heningburg … has four brothers, Dylan, Adrian, Matt and Chris, and a sister, Chiara … brother Dylan plays lacrosse at Montclair State … born May 3, 1996.
Steven Hillenbrand, Defense, 6-2, 180
Woodbridge, Va., Paul VI Catholic HS / Hylton High School
Prior to Rutgers: Three-year varsity starter and two-time captain at Paul VI Catholic HS … three-time All-Washington Catholic Area Conference selection and All-Virginia State selection during his junior year … totaled 55 groundballs, two assists and one goal his senior year … produced 44 groundballs, 2 assists and 23 caused turnovers as a junior … received the US Lacrosse “Bob Scott Award” for the Washington, D.C., Metro area … an Eagle Scout … a member of the National Honors Society … parents are Paul and Barbara Hillenbrand … has two older brothers, Daniel and Thomas, and two older sisters, Emily and Sarah … born Oct. 4, 1995.
Liam King, Midfield, 5-11, 165
Latham, N.Y., Shaker HS
Prior to Rutgers: Three-year varsity player for Shaker HS, serving as team captain during senior season … totaled 39 goals, 13 assists, 52 points and 75 groundballs as a senior … voted second team All Suburban Council as a senior midfielder … honorable mention All Suburban Council as a midfielder during junior campaign, totaling 32 goals, 10 assists, 42 points and 51 groundballs … collected eight goals, three assists, and 10 groundballs in first year of varsity as a sophomore … also wrestled two years varsity, competing at 160 pounds his senior year… held an A average throughout high school as an honors and AP student … parents are Christian and Kathleen King … has two siblings, a sister Darby girl and bother Griffin … born Sept. 22, 1995.
Alex Larson, Goalkeeper, 5-11, 180
Scottsdale, AZ, Chaparral HS
Prior to Rutgers: Two-time US Lacrosse All-American … four-year varsity starter for Chaparral HS … led team to a state title and two championship game appearances … three-time first team All-State selection … Arizona’s all-time high school saves leader with 579 stops … 2014 team MVP … two-time team defensive player of the year … rated the best player in Arizona for the class of 2014 by Studentsports.com … played wide receiver and kicker for the football team … parents are Damian and Laurie Larson … has one older brother, Steve, who plays midfield at UMBC … grandfather, Bill, was a defensemen at Drexel (1961-64) … born April 16, 1996.
Tyler Regnier, Defense, 6’3, 210
Elmont, N.Y., Sewanhaka HS
Prior to Rutgers: Played five years of varsity at Seqanhanka HS … received All-Conference honors as a sophomore and All-County recognition as a junior and senior … named team MVP for junior season …. recorded team record 95 ground balls junior year and 125 ground balls during senior season … played in Brine All-American games for Team Long Island … also participated in The Empire Games … received Anthony T. Dwyer Award upon high school graduation … captain of football team, leading squad in tackles his junior season … has two brothers, Trevor and Taylor … parents are Tammy and Billy Reginer … born December 20, 1995
Michael Rexrode, Defense, 6-0, 180
Leesburg, Va., Loudoun County HS
Prior to Rutgers: Two-time US Lacrosse All-American … four-year varsity player at Loudon County HS … 2014 Zone Player of the Year … First Team All-State … two-time district Player of the Year … two-time first team All-Eegion … also played three years of varsity football, earning first team All-Conference honors as an all-purpose player … holds a school record for most receptions in a game with 17 … AP scholar award winner who earned top five percent ranking in his graduating class … parents are Angela and Michael Rexrode … has a younger sister, Jacquelyn … born Feb. 12, 1996.
Casey Rose, Midfield, 6-1, 190
Salt Lake City, Utah, Corner Canyon / Juan Diego Catholic HS
Prior to Rutgers: Earned first-team All-State and All-Conference honors during senior season at Corner Canyon after two varsity seasons at Juan Diego Catholic HS … scored 55 goals and added 11 assists during senior season … helped Juan Diego Catholic HS to two state championships during sophomore and junior campaigns … also an academic All-State selection in golf and swimming … holds two high school swim records at Juan Diego Catholic … a national competitive free skier, earning fourth overall at the North American Free Skiing tour in 2014 … parents are Garret and Susie Rose … has one brother, Riley, who is a goalie for the University of Colorado club lacrosse team … born Feb. 23, 1996.
Christian Scarpello, Attack, 5-11, 170
Madison, N.J., Madison HS
Prior to Rutgers: Four-year varsity player at Madison HS … amassed 12 goals, eight assists and 15 groundballs despite playing in just five games due to injury … named first team All-State, All-Waterman and All-Morris County, scoring 56 goals with 42 assists and 42 groundballs as a junior … played varsity football his senior year, hauling in 14 catches for 372 yards and seven scores … also returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and recorded five interceptions … also played two years of varsity basketball … older brother Colin is a sophomore on the team … parents are Patrick Scarpello and Kimberly Saunders … born June 18, 1996.
Chad Toliver, Midfield, 5-10, 197
Milton, Georgia, Milton HS /MaCallie School
Prior to Rutgers: 2013 US Lacrosse All-American … four-year varsity player, playing first three years at MaCallie and playing his senior season at Milton HS … totaled 197 career points in high school career … earned All-State and All-Region honors during senior season … also a three-year varsity starter in football, recording 1,900 all-purpose yard his senior season and earned first-team All-State and All-Region honors … parents are Tracy and Calvin Toliver … has a brother, Calvin, and three sisters, Crystal, Ciara and Chasity … brother Calvin played football at Delaware State … born March 12, 1996.
Connor Vercruysse, Attack, 6-3, 195
Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Yorktown HS
Prior to Rutgers: Two-time US Lacrosse All-American (2013-14) … four-time varsity player at Yorktown HS, capturing four sectional championships and the NYS Championship in his final campaign … finished career with 178 goals, second all-time at Yorktown … three-time All-Section … also played varsity football for three years, earning All-League honors twice … ranked number 68 in the Power 100 Freshman rankings by Inside Lacrosse … parents are Mae and Mark Vercruysse … has two older brothers, Kyle and Justin … brother Kyle played lacrosse at Siena and was coached by Rutgers head coach Brian Brecht when he held the same position for the Saints … other brother Justin played lacrosse at Plymouth State … born Jan. 29, 1996.
