Powell Among Five Finalists for Tewaaraton Trophy
5/20/2003 3:57:46 PM | Men's Lacrosse
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Syracuse junior attackman Michael Powell is one of five finalists for the 2003 Tewaaraton Trophy, the most coveted and prestigious honor a varsity lacrosse player can receive and a symbol of excellence in college lacrosse.
The other finalists are Kevin Cassese (Duke University; Midfield, Sr.), Adam Doneger (Johns Hopkins University; Midfield; Sr.), Kyle Harrison (Johns Hopkins University; Midfield; So.) and Chris Rotelli (University of Virginia; Midfield; Sr.). The finalists and winner will be honored at the Tewaaraton Awards Dinner on Wednesday, June 4th at the National Geographic Building in Washington, DC.
Powell is the reigning Tewaaraton Trophy Winner and two-time Attackman of the Year recipient. He has amassed 62 points on the season on 31 goals and 31 assists to help lead the Orangeman to the NCAA Semifinals this weekend against No. 1 ranked Johns Hopkins.
Cassese became the fifth player in Duke history to earn all-league honors in three consecutive seasons. He’s among the leaders in the ACC in groundballs per game (1st – 5.33), face-off percentage (3rd - .591), goals per game (8th – 1.75) and points per game (10th – 2.50). With his 113 career points, he is one of 30 players in Duke history to surpass 100 points.
Doneger is the workhorse on Hopkins’ offense attack. He has helped lead his team to the No. 1 ranking in the country and into the NCAA Semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years with a two goal one assist performance against Towson.
Harrison is one of the most exciting and explosive players in the country, he is one of two underclassmen in the running for the Tewaaraton Trophy. He has also help lead John Hopkins into the NCAA Semifinals against Syracuse this weekend at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Rotelli is the first Cavalier midfielder in 15 years to win the ACC Player of the Year Award. He has averaged 3.18 points per game this season and is the only player in the ACC to rank in the top five in goals (4th), assists (4th) and scoring (2nd). Due to the stellar play of Chris, Virginia will play this weekend in the NCAA semifinals against Maryland.
The Tewaaraton Trophy is presented annually to the top male and female varsity collegiate lacrosse players in the United States at the conclusion of the season during the annual awards dinner. The women’s finalists are Lauren Aumiller (University of Virginia; Midfield; Sr.), Rachael Becker (Princeton University; Defense; Sr.), Kelly Coppedge (University of Maryland; Midfield; Jr.), Suzanne Eyler (Loyola College; Defense; Sr.) and Lisa Staedt (James Madison University; Midfield; Sr.).
Every qualified male and female college varsity player in Divisions I, II and III is eligible for the Award. Nominations are requested from all varsity coaches. A selection committee comprised of coaches for both male and female candidates oversees the voting process.
The Tewaaraton Award Foundation, in conjunction with The University Club of Washington, DC, formally established the "Tewaaraton Trophy" on August 29, 2000. Today, the Tewaaraton Trophy is recognized as the pre-eminent lacrosse award honoring the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse player in the United States. Simply, it is the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. 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.
