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VMI lacrosse announces incoming class for 2015 season

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vmi_logo2For a second-straight season, every incoming lacrosse player at VMI completed their first week on Post following Matriculation. The Keydet lacrosse team gained 17 members of the Class of 2015+3 in advance of head coach Brian Anken’s fifth season at the Institute.

“We are all very excited about this class. They have all successfully completed their Hell Week requirements and are focused on the start of classes and the rapidly approaching first day of practice,” said Anken, who begins his fifth year on Post. “This class includes some tremendous athletes that will be expected to compete for playing time Immediately. Most importantly this group possesses the character and maturity necessary to be successful both on and off the field at VMI. We are all looking forward to the opportunity to begin working with this group.”

Below is a brief capsule on the incoming players.

Conor Byrnes (Garden City, N.Y.) — Three-year letterwinner for Steve Finell at Garden City High School on Long Island … team claimed back-to-back New York State Championships in 2012 and 2013 … played club with the Long Island Express Lacrosse Team … also played football at Garden City … won three letters for Tom Flatley as a defensive tackle … helped lead team to a Long Island championship in 2012 … son of James and Cathryn Byrnes … has three brothers, Kieran, Liam and Aidan … twin brother Kieran will compete at Villanova University this season, while younger brother Liam will play at Gettysburg College in beginning in 2015 … plants to major in psychology at VMI.

Hunter Callan (Fredericksburg, Va.) — Three-year letterwinner at Massaponax High School for coaches Courteau and Callan as both an attackman and midfielder … named Offensive MVP on three occasions and was team’s leading scorer … served as a captain three times while starting every varsity game … named to First Team All-Conference as a senior, in addition to being named the top attackman in his conference … before high school added a varsity program, played for SCLC Ravens and was a member of the summer travel team, Richmond Shock … named to US Lacrosse Richmond Chapter All-Star Game twice … received Presidential Award for Academic Achievement, American Citizenship Award, an Academic Letter and graduated with honors … son of Michael and Suzanne Callan … has four siblings, Madison, Savannah, Chase and Cooper … plans to major in biology at the Institute.

Matt Eibel (Cockeysville, Md.) — Played lacrosse at two high schools, winning four letters … won two as a defenseman at Calvert Hall for Josh Hoffman and another two at Dulaney High School for Kyle Fiat … at Dulaney, named First Team All-County, a High School All-American and was named to the Senior All-Star Team … earned Towson Times All-Star Team Honorable Mention plaudits in 2014 … competed for the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club … graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, member of the National Honor Society and earned Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America won the United States Marine Corps Award for Exemplary Athletic and Leadership Skills … son of Mark Marybeth Eibl … has one sister, Meredith … father played lacrosse at the University of Denver in the 80s.

Kyle Hesse (East Syracuse, N.Y.) — Three-year letterwinner at East Syracuse Minoa High School for coaches Jon McCoy and JD Jones … named First Team All-League and won the Coach’s Award … named to the Section 3 Senior All-Star Game … played in the 2014 Gordon Olstrom Section 3 All-Star Game … also won three letters on the gridiron for coaches Kevin Depasde and Mike Eshbacher as a linebacker … earned scholar achievement awards and several league honors … served as a team captain … named Lifter of the Year by the Athletic Strength Club … Section 3 Scholar-Athlete Award, won the Christine Taylor Memorial Award and was the ESM Spartan Male Scholar-Athlete of the year … son of Charles and Anne Hesse … has two brothers, Jarrett and Neil … both played Division III lacrosse, Neil at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., and Jarrett at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. … Jarrett played for VMI head coach Brian Anken at Lycoming … plans to major in history while on Post.

Nate Kraemer (Emmaus, Pa.) — Three-year letterwinner as a midfielder for Scott Ketcham at Emmaus High School … named Team MVP while earning First Team All-League Honors … scored nine goals and had seven assists … played for the Baggataway Lacrosse Club … named to All-Star Team at UNC Team Camp and was a Southern States Elite All-Star … also played one season of varsity ice hockey for Brian Braun … named Defensive MVP for his team while potting 17 goals with 12 assists … played Junior B Ice Hockey as a sophomore … competed in the National History Day Regionals … son of Bryan and Cheryl Kraemer … has two sisters, Erin and Haley … plans to major in economics and business at VMI.

Colby Lalicker (Apex, N.C.) — Four-year letterwinner at Apex High School for John Hayden … team won state championship as a senior while scoring 50 goals with 12 assists and going over 80 percent in faceoffs … named All-Conference, All-Region and All-State as a senior … tabbed SWAC Conference Player of the Year and was an All-American … served as a team captain twice … scored 69 goals in his career, ranking him ninth in school history … and 11th for total points (103) … played for Team Carolina Lacrosse Elite for two seasons … FCA Elite Team, Triangle Select Lacrosse for rising freshmen and sophomores … played in the Blue Chip 225 All-Star and Philly Boys All-Star Games for rising juniors … seven-time AB Honor Roll … took first in the DECA state competition and was a News & Observer Scholar-Athlete … played in the Charlotte Summer Classic with Team Carolina Lacrosse Elite and helped team win the Legacy Invitational … also ran a year of cross country for Roy Cooper … son of Steve and Carol Lalicker … has two brothers, Austin and Preston … plans to major in civil engineering at the Institute.

Logan Moore (Olathe, Kansas) — Attended Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas … played for Jags Lacrosse … named Top Newcomer in 2011, Iron Man in 2012 and MVP in 2013 and 2014 … tabbed All-Metro First Team in 2012, 2013 and 2014 … earned US Lacrosse All-American status in 2013 and 2014 … competed for True Lacrosse and KC Orange Lacrosse club teams … named DU Team Camp All-Star and Ohio State Team Camp All-Star … competed at the 2013 Nike Blue Chip Rising Senior camp … son of Thomas and Tina Moore … has two brothers, Cole and Kenedy … plans to major in economics and business at the Institute.

Chris Nelms (Reston, Va.) — Four-year letterwinner at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, competing for Davies Cabot, including three years as a starter … scored 28 goals with 13 assists for 41 points as a senior … played club for Next Level Lacrosse and MadLax All-Stars, as well as the NH Tomahawks … played in the FLGin3d Lacrosse Tournament and was an All-Star … also played ice hockey for Mark Bozek and won two letters as a forward … scored one goal and had two assists as a senior … earned the game puck for his play against Buckingham, Browne and Nichols … earned Second Testimonials Academic Honors (Honor Roll and awards for perfect attendance … played in the Prep School Lacrosse Showcase, National Invitational Invite 175, King of the Hill and the Under Armour All-America tryout in Washington, D.C. … son of Lee Taylor-Nelms and C. Spencer Nelms Jr. … father played football at the Ohio State University in the early 80s … has one brother, Clark … plans to major in civil engineering at VMI with a minor in French.

Tom Nofi (Roswell, Ga.) — Three-year letterwinner at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School for coach John Wellford … won the offensive MVP award as an attack man in 2013 and 2014 … earned Honorable Mention All-State plaudits … scored 43 goals with 29 assists in 2013, followed by 52 goals and 35 assists in 2014 … holds school record for most points in a single game (11) and most assists in a single game (7) … played for LB3 South for five years under coach Liam Banks … named Southern Select All-Star and Southeastern Showcase All-Star … also earned one wrestling letter for Richard Barden at the 170 pound weight class … son of Mark and Cynthia Nofi … has one brother, Matthew … intends to major in international studies at VMI.

Joe Riccadonna (Warren, N.J.) — Four-year letterwinner at Immaculata High School as a goalie for Tom Mott … holds school record for most saves (616), third all-time in career wins (32) and made 246 saves in 2013, good enough for third in the record book … earned Honorable Mention All-State and second team All-Conference honors … 2014 State Conference champions … served as a captain … helped team win 2011 state title … named third team All-State in 2012 … named defensive MVP … nominated for Best Goalie in New Jersey for the 2014 season … competed for Team Turnpike Lacrosse … helped win the 2014 Best of the Best Champs Championship with Team Turnpike Elite … son of Joe and Eugenia Riccadonna … has one sister, Nicole … plans to major in civil engineering at the Institute.

Wesley Sanders (Austin, Texas) — Four-year letterwinner on the lacrosse field for coach Becker at Bowie High School in Austin, Texas … twice earned All-State honors and was a high school All-American … also collected Honorable Mention All-District honors … holds school record for most goals scored … competed for ATX Lax Bats and Team Austin … played football as a linebacker for coach Ables … earned two Academic All-District honors … son of Glen and Karen Sanders … has two siblings, Kim and Mellysa … plans to major in mechanical engineering at VMI.

Johnny Santos (Dallas, Texas) — Four-year letterwinner at McKinney Boyd High School for coach Brandon Carney … ranked second all-time in points, goals and first all-time in assists at his high school … also holds marks for winningest faceoff percentage and single-season faceoff percentage … twice named All-State and earned All-District honors … helped team finish third in the state of Texas his senior year … competed for Coast 2 Coast club team … earned one varsity letter in football as a safety for Don Drake … son of Jeff and Jennifer Santos … father played football in college … has two brothers, Justin and Joey … plans to major in economics and business while on Post.

Jacob Shaver (Richmond, Va.) — Four-year letterwinner as an attackman at Deep Run High School for coach Doug Shaver … earned First Team All-Conference and All-Region honors as a senior and was the leading scorer and points leader … named a High School All-American as a junior, while also collecting First Team All-District honors … lead the team in scoring and points … named First Team All-District and District Player of the Year as a sophomore … named to Second Team All-Region and was the leading scorer and point getter … holds school records for goals and points … played for club teams Amped, Team Virginia and Code Lacrosse … member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta … son of Doug and Wendy Shaver … has two brothers, Matt and Eric … father played lacrosse at the United States Military Academy while brother Eric is currently a sophomore on the VMI squad … plans to major in economics and business during his time at VMI.

Cody Sheetz (Eighty Four, Pa.) — Four-year letterwinner as an attackman for Mike Kaplin at Peters Township High School … scored 111 goals during his scholastic career while adding 88 assists to his point total … earned All-Section honors twice … played for Pittsburgh Select and won the Hogan Tournament Champs A Bracket … also won three letters in football for Rich Piccinini as an outside linebacker … earned Second Team Honorable Mention plaudits and was named a Player to Watch … son of Randall and Barbara Sheetz … has two brothers, Tyler and Brady … Brady is currently playing Division I baseball at Hartford University while Tyler played Division III football at Ohio Wesleyan.

Andrew Stockmal (Hinsdale, Ill.) — Three-year letterwinner for coaches Tom McBride and Joe Foster at Hinsdale Central High School as a defenseman … named West Suburban First Team All-Conference in 2013, and repeated again in 2014 … named second-team All-State in 2014, in addition to IHSLA All-Star honors the same year … holds school record for most points by a defenseman in a single season, doing so in 2014 … played in the IHSLA All-Star Game in June 2014 … played for the True Lacrosse IL 2014 State Team as well … played football, winning two letters as an outside linebacker … made the Dean’s List from 2010-12 and earned a spot on the honor roll in 2013 … son of Peter and Mary Stockmal … has three siblings, Matthew, Abby and Michael … plans to major in international studies at the Institute.

Christian Vaccaro (Henderson, Nevada) — Three-year letterwinner at Coronado High School for coaches Eissler and Devlin … earned two letters under Eissler and one with Devlin … combined for 53 goals and 22 assists during his junior and senior campaigns, along with 83 groundballs … played for club programs Zip It and West Coast Starz … earned Most Tenacious Worker award … played on the basketball team for coach Johnston as a point guard as well … earned President Award, participated in the Rocky Mountain Talent Search … graduated with honors … son of Thomas Vaccaro and Bonnie Johnson … has one brother, Joshua Johnson … plans to major in chemistry at the Institute.

Rob Woolfolk (Atlanta, Ga.) — Lettered in four seasons at North Atlanta High School … served as a captain in two seasons … earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors as well … named a Brine All-American … played for LB3 Lacrosse club … also won three letters on the football team as an outside linebacker and running back … son of Ralph and Margal Woolfolk … has two brothers, Ralph and Ryan … both brothers played college sports, Ryan as a football player at The College of William & Mary and Ralph on the baseball team at Morehouse College … looking to major in economics and business while on Post.

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