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UVa Men's Lacrosse Signs Nine During Early Signing Period
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Nov. 25, 2002
Charlottesville, Va. – University of Virginia men’s lacrosse coach Dom Starsia announces the signing of nine student-athletes to national letters of intent to play lacrosse at UVa beginning with the 2003-04 academic year.
The signees are: Adam Fassnacht (Burke, Va./Robinson), Drew Jordan (N. Potomac, Md./Georgetown Prep), James King (Crozet, Va./St. Anne’s-Belfield), Simon Manka (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park), Michael “Bud” Petit (Midlothian, Va./Collegiate), Eric Pittard (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles), Ricky Smith (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville), Drew Thompson (Northport, N.Y./Northport),and Kip Turner (Severna Park, Md./Severn).
Fassnacht, a 5-11, 205-pound midfielder/attackman from Burke, Va., is a three-sport standout at Robinson H.S. He was named high school lacrosse All-American after helping lead his team to the state championship last spring. He was also first-team All-State in football last year for the undefeated state champions. Fassnacht was also a state wrestling finalist last year.
Jordan is a 6-0, 175-pound defenseman, at Georgetown Prep. He was a Free State All-Star last year and also plays hockey.
King is a local product, playing at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville. He is a 6-2, 200-pound defenseman who attended the Under-19 U.S. team tryouts this summer. He was also a 205 All-Star and has been named first-team All-Independent League.
Manka is a 6-0, 180-pound midfielder from Orchard Park H.S. He played for the Western team in the Empire State games this summer and also plays wingback on his school’s football team.
Petit is a 6-3, 180-pound goalie at the Collegiate School. A high school All-American last spring, he has been selected to the 2003 Under-19 U.S. Team. He is a two-time All-Independent League selection.
Pittard, a 5-11, 175-pound attackman from Skaneateles H.S. He played for the Central team this summer at the Empire State games. Pittard was also named high school All-American last season after scoring 67 goals and adding 53 assists.
Smith is a 6-0, 180-pound defenseman from Hicksville H.S. He is a two-timeAll-Nassau County choice and won a gold medal this summer with the Long Island squad at the Empire State games. He attended the Under-19 U.S. team tryouts. He also plays on his school’s football and basketball teams.
Thompson is the younger brother of UVa sophomore goalie Ryan Thompson. He is a 5-10, 175-pound midfielder at Northport H.S. He will join fellow signee Petit on the Under-19 U.S. team. He was a high school All-American last year . He was the MVP of the state championship as a sophomore as his team captured the state title. He has also been a member of the gold medal team at New York’s Empire State games.
Turner is a 5-10, 185-pound goalie at the Severn School. He is a 205 All-Star who attended the Under-19 U.S. team tryouts. He was named All-Anne Arundel County last season and also plays soccer and hockey.
“We are very pleased to announce the names of these young men who will join our program next fall. There are a number of truly outstanding athletes in this group, some who will contribute early in their careers and others who will help build our future,” said Starsia in announcing the signees. “Our program’s annual mission includes a responsibility to attract the finest national candidates to Virginia and this class clearly helps us to fulfill those goals. In addition, we anticipate signing one more athlete to complete the class of 2007. Virginia lacrosse fans will enjoy getting to know these young men during their careers on Grounds.”