Wheeling Jesuit University Signs Six Student-Athletes for the 2010-2011 School Year.
Wheeling, WV- Coach 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
Kevin Figaniak (A/Perkasie, PA/Pennridge HS) 5’8*165lbs – 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 * 140lbs– 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 * 170lbs – 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.”
Aaron Gutentag (M/Lewis Center, OH/Olentangy HS) 5’11 * 170lbs – 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 * 150lbs – 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 * 190lbs – 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.”