Collegiate Men’s Lacrosse
RJ Wickham named Tewaaraton Trophy nominee
For Immediate Release
Friday, April 16, 2010
Men’s Lacrosse Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773
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Navy Netminder Named a Tewaaraton Trophy Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Navy sophomore goalkeeper RJ Wickham (Penn Yan, N.Y.) is one of 26 players to be selected as a nominee for the 2010 Tewaaraton Trophy it was announced this week by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.
Recognized as the most prized award in college lacrosse, the Tewaaraton Award Foundation released its “Watch List” in early March, a list which grew to nearly 100 names and included Navy senior attackman Tim Paul (Parkton, Md.), a 2009 All-American, and sophomore defenseman Matt Vernam (Shoreham, N.Y.).
An unknown at the beginning of the season, Wickham became a household name by making spectacular saves. He is the nation’s leader in save percentage this season, turning back 62.7 percent of the shots he’s faced, while he is ranked 12th in goals-against average, surrendering 8.53 goals per game.
Recording 158 saves this spring, Wickham has produced double digit stops in 10 of the 11 games, including his 19 save-performance against Loyola. It marked the best effort by a Navy keeper since former Navy team captain Seth DiNola turned away 21 shots on goal in a losing effort against Penn State (5-4) on April 12, 2003. Wickham has received Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week honors three times this season, including for his memorable effort against Loyola.
Wickham broke into the program’s top 20 career saves leader board against Holy Cross (3-20) behind a 16-save effort, while last Saturday he turned back 17 shots against Maryland to become only the 19th player in school history to reach 200 career saves. In addition, his performance against the Terps catapulted him into the Mids’ single-season top 20 leader board. He stands 18th on the list and is the first player to join the elite group since two-time Kelly Award winner Mickey Jarboe in 1999.
Wickham is one of four goalkeepers on the list of Tewaaraton Trophy nominees, joining Syracuse’s John Galloway (59.5 Sv%, 7.72 GAA), Loyola’s Jake Hagelin (60.5 Sv%, 6.78 GAA) and Drexel’s Mark Manos (61.2 Sv%, 7.69 GAA).
“RJ has had an outstanding year,” said 16th-year Navy head coach Richie Meade, who has coached two Kelly Award winners (goalkeeper of the year) Jarboe (1999, 2000) and Matt Russell (2004). “We put him in a tough position a year ago by starting him a few games as a plebe, but I?do think that has helped him in preparing for this season. He had some experience and new what to expect. He’s had to do more that what we would have liked this season, but I’m extremely proud of RJ’s growth as a leader not only on the defensive end of the field, but as a member of this team.”
The Tewaaraton Trophy has been presented to the national player of the year every season since 2001 and will be handed out on June 3 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
2010 Tewaaraton Trophy Nominees
Player School Yr. Pos.
Drew Bezek LeMoyne Sr. D
Billy Bitter N. Carolina Jr. A
Shamel Bratton Virginia Jr. M
Jay Card Hofstra Jr. A
Brian Carroll Virginia Sr. M
Grant Catalino Maryland Jr. A
Ken Clausen Virginia Sr. D
Ned Crotty Duke Sr. A
Kevin Crowley Stony Brook Jr. M
Curtis Dickson Delaware Sr. A
Brian Farrell Maryland Jr. M
Ryan Flanagan N. Carolina Jr. D
John Galloway Syracuse So. GK
Jake Hagelin Loyola Jr. GK
Cody Jamieson Syracuse Sr. A
Mark Manos Drexel So. GK
Jack McBride Princeton Jr. A
Jordan McBride Stony Brook Jr. A
Parker McKee Duke Sr. D
Sam Miller Salisbury So. D
Rob Pannell Cornell So. A
Max Quinzani Duke Sr. A
Steele Standwick Virginia So. A
Jeremy Thompson Syracuse Jr. M
Joel White Syracuse So. D
RJ Wickham Navy So. GK
### Go Navy ###
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