Wheeling Jesuit Men Sign Six for 2010-11
from press release
WHEELING, W.V. - Coach Jay Sothoron is proud to
announce the early signing of six student athletes that will
represent Wheeling Jesuit University starting in the fall of 2010.
The six player offensive dominated class consists of three
attackmen, two midfielders, and one defensemen.
"Entering my second year as head coach at WJU we are trying to
bring in kids with great lacrosse ability and kids of great
character. We are trying to build a team that will be nationally
ranked year after year. Last year we made strides in the right
direction finishing 8-4. With this class, I believe we are bringing
in the kind of kids that will help us achieve our goals. We are
very young at the defensive end of the field so we really focused
our efforts on bringing in offense. We graduate three top goal
scorers and I believe even though these kids are freshmen they are
talented enough to step in and be successful," said Sothoron.
Attack
Kevin Figaniak (A/Perkasie, PA/Pennridge HS) 5'8 * 165 lbs –
Figaniak leads the class with a wealth of experience and success at
the high school level in eastern Pennsylvania. Leading Pennridge in
scoring the previous two seasons, (54 goals in 2009) this attackmen
comes into his senior campaign as the reigning attackmen of the
year for his team. Figaniak has also garnered other honors as being
apart of the 2009 All-Intel spring all-star team as well as the sub
league all-star team in both 2008 and 2009. Kevin also plays for
the LB3 Philly based select team. A two-sport athlete Kevin has
also lettered in Varsity Ice Hockey where he was named to the 2008
Flyers Cup.
Coach Sothoron on Figaniak: "Kevin is a very shifty attackman that
will be an immediate threat for the Cardinals. Kevin is a very well
rounded attackman that dodges well, feeds well, and shoots well. He
also rides very hard and that's what coaches love."
Landon DelPrince (A/Powell, OH/Dublin Jerome HS) 5'9 * 140 lbs
– DelPrince comes to Wheeling from Dublin Jerome high school
out of Columbus, Ohio. Landon is extremely quick and illusive with
incredible vision. Landon amassed 22 goals and 21 assists for 43
points, adding 40 ground balls as well earning him All-Region and
honorable mention All-State Honors last season. Landon has
represented his hometown as a member of the Midwest All Star Team
where he and his teammates played against some of the nations best
competition. Landon has also lettered in Cross Country, Football,
and Basketball. Landon will be joined in Wheeling by his teammate
Jared Sims.
Sothoron on DelPrince: "Landon is a very quick shifty attackman who
has great vision. He is a kid that has very good lacrosse IQ and
plays with great intensity. He will have a great opportunity to
make his mark early in his career at WJU."
Jared Sims (A/Plain City, OH/Dublin Jerome HS) 6'0 * 170 lbs
– Jared is the younger brother of current Jesuit goaltender
Joe Sims who has been a three-year starter for the cardinals. He is
also a current teammate of Jesuit recruit Landon DelPrince. The
Sims legacy will continue in Wheeling with Jared's fluid style and
relentless pursuit for the goal. In 2009 he finished the season
with 11 goals and 2 assists and will have an increased role heading
into the 2010 season.
Sothoron on Sims: "Jared is a very good off ball attackman who will
look to fight for playing time on the crease."
Midfield
Aaron Gutentag (M/Lewis Center, OH/Olentangy HS) 5'11 * 170 lbs
– Aaron Gutentag an extremely athletic midfielder comes to
Wheeling from Olentangy high school is Columbus, Ohio. Gutentag is
a two-sport standout that has two varsity letters for football
where in his senior season he was appointed a team captain. Aaron
is heading into his senior lacrosse campaign (four year letter
winner) where he has already been voted team captain for the 2010
season. In 2009 Gutentag received 1st team all conference and all
region honors. Aaron was also member of the Midwest All Star Team
during his sophomore and junior year.
Sothoron on Gutentag: "Aaron is a kid that loves the game of
lacrosse. He has a great attitude and plays with a great passion
for the game. He is a great two way middie who is very strong
defensively, offensively, and does very well facing off. He will be
looked upon to be a key factor early in his career"
Rob Mills (M/Troy, MI/University of Detroit Jesuit HS) 5'11 * 150
lbs – Mills is a midfielder that will continue his Jesuit
education in Wheeling. A three-year starter on the varsity Rob
brings a quick illusive element to the Cardinal midfield unit.
Mills finished his junior season with 18 points. He helped his team
to 2nd place finish in the conference playoffs losing by a goal to
top ranked Brother Rice. During the summer Rob was a member the
Scorpion Lacrosse select team. A two-sport athlete Mills has also
lettered in soccer.
Sothoron on Mills: "Rob plays with tremendous heart and is a vocal
leader on the field. He is the type of player that will make
everyone around him better. He is the type of player that can hurt
you off the dodge or off ball. Rob should be a key player very
early in his career."
Defense
Steven Kurth (D/Ballwin, MO/ Parkway West HS) 6'1 * 190 lbs –
This defenseman comes from Missouri where he lettered in lacrosse
and football. Steven was named D1 2nd team all conference as a
junior and has been named team captain as a senior. Kurth was a
member of the Team Samurai Missouri all-star team over the
summer.
Sothoron on Kurth: "Steven is a great kid who will have to fight
for starting time with a fairly young group of defensemen. He has
great size and agility making him hard to beat. He has the ability
to make an impact early in his career."
