July 14, 2005

Queens, NY - St. John's Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Rick Sowell announced a group of 12 student-athletes, including three transfers, who will attend the University in 2005-06 as the program's second recruiting class.

The Red Storm went 2-11 in their first season of play while playing in the competitive East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC). Sowell, a nationally-respected coach, built programs at Dartmouth and Georgetown before coming to St. John's.

"I am very excited about the quality of this year's class," Sowell said. "As we begin our second year, we were able to address several needs. This group will create a more competitive environment, give us more speed and athleticism at the midfield, and provide overall team depth."

A trio of freshman and a transfer highlight the incoming class.

Freshman Bobby Fitton (Oak Hill, VA) headlines the crop of midfielders entering the program. Fitton, who played both lacrosse and football at Oakton High School, earned first team all-district and all-region honors, as well as honorable mention All-Met honors. "Not only is Bobby a big-time athlete and lacrosse player, but he is a winner," Sowell said. "Bobby has been part of three consecutive State Championship lacrosse teams and a football program that consistently excels at a highly competitive level. We are excited to bring such a winning attitude into our program."

Patrick McClay (Mahopac, NY), another midfielder, comes to the Red Storm after a year at Trinity Pawling Prep School. A graduate of Mahopac High School, McClay earned all-section and league honors as he led the team to the Section I Championship in 2004. "Pat's work ethic, toughness, and ability to play both ends of the field make him an ideal midfielder for us. Pat also knows what it takes to be successful and we anticipate him helping our program right away."

On the defensive end, Dominick Denapoli (Hewlett, NY) leads a group of three incoming recruits at that position. This past season Denapoli led Hewlett High School to their most successful season in school history, including a conference and county title. He earned all-conference honors in 2003, all-county honors in 2004 and was an honorable mention All-American in 2005. "Dom's stick skills and relentless style of play will have immediate impact within our defense," Sowell said. "We already feel good about our returning defensive unit, and to add a player of Dom's caliber certainly gives us a lot to be excited about. He will push our older guys and make them and us better. "

Another midfielder coming to St. John's is sophomore transfer Trevor Michaelsen (Bethpage, NY), the twin brother of current Red Storm standout Tom. Michaelsen, who will not be eligible to play until 2007, comes from Rutgers. He and his brother helped lead Bethpage to the Nassau County finals in 2004, a year in which he concluded his career with 33 goals and 27 assists. "Just like his brother, Trevor is big, strong, and fast." Sowell said. "We're excited about his choice to come to St. John's and naturally we would love to have him in uniform next year, but to know that we have a player of his potential gives us a tremendous amount of excitement for the future of our program."

Other midfielders include freshmen Thomas Manes (Philadelphia, PA), Jamal Jones (Severn, MD) and Matt Viscusi (Floral Park, NY). Manes, who also played basketball at Archbishop Ryan, has earned All-Catholic League honors the last three years, including two first team honors, is a two-time team Most Valuable Player and was an all-state nominee. Jones, a three-sport standout in football, basketball and lacrosse at the Severn School, earned county all-star honors the last two years in lacrosse. Jones also earned county honors in basketball and twice in football, graduating from Severn as the school's all-time leading passer with more than 3,100 yards. Viscusi is a product of Floral Park Memorial who twice earned all conference honors in football and lacrosse. "Tom, Jamal, and Matt come into our program as talented athletes with an enormous upside." Sowell Said. "All three of them excelled in multiple sports at the high school level. We are anxious to see how they develop as lacrosse players now that they will be focusing on lacrosse and lacrosse only."

Freshman defender William Stewart III (Wheatley Heights, NY) comes to the program from Half Hollow Hills West High School. Stewart was the recipient of the school's Trenchmen Award, recognizing the team's unsung hero, and earned the Hardest Worker Award during the New York Jets Formal Night in 2005. He helped lead Half Hollow Hills West to the 2005 Super Six Championship.

A pair of freshmen will join the Red Storm on the attack, Drew Schanen (North Brunswick, NJ) and Chris Mills (Freeport, NY). Schanen, a product of North Brunswick Township High School, the same school that produced Manchester United soccer goalie Tim Howard, earned first team all-state and county honors in 2005 as he was named his league's Player of the Year. He scored 35 goals and had 18 assists in 18 games last year. As a junior in 2004, Schanen earned honorable mention all-state honors, as he was the second-leading scorer in the county. Mills, a graduate of Freeport High School, earned all-conference honors as a senior when he scored 35 goals and had 15 assists, also taking home the Otis Saunders Award, recognizing the most dedicated male athlete, and the Keith "Mugsy" Holdener Award, given to a senior who attained excellence both on and off the field. "Will, Drew, and Chris will also make us better right away as they give us more depth, enabling us to accomplish more at practice." Sowell claims.

Anthony Bozymowski (Islip, NY) and Rick Ruggles (Fairlawn, NJ) round out the group as a pair of Junior College transfers. Bozymowski, originally from Islip High School, comes to St. John's from Herkimer Community College where he earned all-tournament honors twice last season as he helped lead Herkimer to 17-2 record and to the Junior College National Championship. Ruggles, a midfielder, transfers in from Nassau Community College where he led his team to the 2005 Junior College National Semifinals eventually being eliminated by Herkimer. "Both players bring experience to our young squad, Anthony has seen success at Herkimer and Rick is talented athletically, we are enthusiastic about what they bring to the table."