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Four Cavalier Men Named to Tewaaraton Trophy List
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Feb. 23, 2004
Washington, D.C. – University of Virginia men’s lacrosse players Brett Hughes, Tillman Johnson, John Christmas and Joe Yevoli are among 26 players named to the “Watch List” for this season’s Tewaaraton Trophy, the most cherished and prestigious award a varsity lacrosse player can receive and a symbol of excellence in college lacrosse. Virginia leads the list with four early candidates.
A three-year starter, Hughes is one of the nation’s top defenders, who consistently shuts down the opposition’s top attackman. He was a second-team All-American last season and was named to the NCAA Championships All-Tournament team as well as the All-ACC Tournament team as UVa captured both championships. His 50 ground balls were second among ACC close defensemen in 2003.
Johnson reserved a place in the history of UVa athletics with his epic performance in last year’s NCAA Tournament, highlighted by dramatic efforts against Maryland and Johns Hopkins in the final four. The reigning USILA Player of the Year and Goalie of the Year, he made 205 saves last season with a .655 save percentage.
A dynamic attackman with tremendous speed and quickness, Christmas led the team with 36 goals last season while being matched up against some of the nation’s top defensemen. He was a second-team All-American and an All-ACC pick for the second year in a row.
The ACC’s Rookie of the Year in 2002 when he led the league with 40 goals, Yevoli saw his role change a bit last season and led the conference with 26 assists. He was named a second-team All-American after sharing the team lead in scoring with 49 points.
Midfielder Chris Rotelli, who capped off a tremendous senior season by guiding the Cavaliers to their second national championship in five seasons, was last season’s recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy.
The Tewaaraton Trophy is presented annually to the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse players in the United States. Scholarship money is given to the winners’ college or university general scholarship fund. The Foundation committee honors Native American heritage with the name “Tewaaraton,” the name the Mohawk nation gave to their game and the progenitor of present day lacrosse and has received approval from the Mohawk Council of Elders.
The Tewaaraton Trophy Awards Dinner will be presented at The University Club of Washington, D.C. on June 3, 2004 at a banquet honoring the finalists and winners.