Nov. 5, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Head coach Glenn Thiel and the Nittany Lion lacrosse team will have the services of a strong crop of true freshman this year as the start of the 2010 campaign is just over three months away. Eleven new faces will play a key role for Penn State when the new campaign begins in February.
David Baker (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) comes to Penn State from Haverford High School where he was a three year starter in the goal for The Ford. Baker was the team's Most Improved Player as a sophomore and team MVP as a junior and senior. He helped HHS to a state runner-up finish and was team captain as a senior.
Conor Baucum (Chevy Chase, Md./Gonzaga) comes to Penn State after an outstanding high school career at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. A four year starter in the goal for the Eagles, Baucum was voted team Rookie of the Year in 2006 and then went on to earn three straight all-league nods for his superb play in the goal. Baucum was also team captain in 2009. The son of Patricia Murphy and Dan Baucum, Conor is majoring in communication arts and sciences at Penn State.
Joe Celano (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) brings a long list of high school laurels with him from Farmingdale High School in New York. A four-time scholar athlete award winner, Celano started for the Lions four straight seasons, helping guide the team to a 41-16 record during that span. A midfield force for FHS, he had 65 goals and 48 assists and earned two all-county nods as well. Celano lettered in both football and track as well and was an all-county performer on the gridiron. The son of Pat and Joe Celano, Joe is majoring in business.
Eric Davidheiser (Vashon, Wash./The Hill School) comes to Penn State after two successful seasons at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. A native of Vashon, Wash., Davidheiser earned all-state honors in the northwest before becoming a two-time all-league player for The Rams of The Hill School as a junior and senior. Davidheiser was team captain as a senior and earned all-area laurels that year as well. Over four years as a starter, he had 74 goals and 108 assists. Davidheiser also earned all-state honors as a football player. The son of Laura and Roger Davidheiser, Eric is majoring in geology at Penn State.
Nick Dolik (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice) was a three year starter at Brother Rice High School in Michigan, a teammate of fellow PSU freshman Danny Henneghan. Dolik led the Warrior offense as a senior and, over the course of three years as a varsity starter, scored 170 goals and had 91 assists. Dolik helped guide BRHS to four straight Michigan State Titles (2006-2009) and the 2008 Midwest Championship. He was team captain as a senior. Dolik was also an all-state selection as a senior. The son of Michael and Jill Dolik, Nick is majoring in business at Penn State.
The younger brother of former Nittany Lion Rob and current Nittany Lion Jack, Randy Forster (Jenkintown, Pa./LaSalle) was an all-state selection at LaSalle High School in Jenkintown. A three-year starter on attack, Forster scored over 100 goals over his last three seasons and helped guide LHS to two straight state titles (2008 and 2009). The son of Ron and Sherry Forster, he plans on majoring in business at Penn State.
Billy Gribbin (Rockville, Md./Georgetown Prep) comes to Penn State from Bethesda's Georgetown Pre. Gribbin helped guide the Hoyas to two conference titles (2006 and 2009), earning all-league laurels as a senior. An outstanding athlete, Gribbin also lettered in wrestling and in football, earning all-league honors on the gridiron and helping the Hoya wrestlers to four straight league titles. The son of Terry and Mary Elise Gribbin, Billy is set to major in marketing at Penn State.
Younger brother of Nittany Lion teammate Charley Henneghan (Beverly Hills, Mich./Brother Rice), Danny Henneghan comes to Penn State from Michigan's Brother Rice High School. A four year letterman and captain as a senior, Henneghan helped lead BRHS to four Michigan State Championships (2005-09) and one Midwest crown (2008). He helped the Warriors post a 84-8 overall record during that four-year span and scored 76 goals. Henneghan was a three-time all-state pick and a three time high school All-American. The son of Michael and Molly Henneghan, Danny plans on majoring in business at Penn State.
A four-time scholar athlete at Worthington Kilbourne High School, Drew Roper (Columbus, Ohio/Kilbourne) was a four-year starter for the Wolves and earned first team all-state laurels as a senior. He helped guide his team to a 70-13 record in from 2007-2009, scoring 69 goals and dishing off 36 assists. Roper helped lead WKHS to the state title in 2009. The son of Kim and Jim Roper, he plans on majoring in finance at Penn State.
Four-time all-league pick Tyler Travis (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) comes to Penn State from Geneva High School in Geneva, N.Y. A stand-out LSM for the Panthers, Travis left GHS with a school record 638 career ground balls. He helped lead Geneva to three straight sectional titles and was team captain in 2009. The son of Brian and Terri Travis, Tyler plans on majoring in business at Penn State.
Kyle VanThof (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) comes to Penn State from Penfield, N.Y., where he was a four year letterman for the Penfield High School Patriots. A 2009 team captain, VanThof helped guide PHS to the 2006 Section V title and played in the 2009 New York Senior All-Star Game. He also lettered in football twice for the Patriots. The son of Thomas and Tracy VanThof, Kyle is majoring in advertising at Penn State.