22
Craig Houtz

Men's Lacrosse Adds 13 on Signing Day

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Head coach Jeff Tambroni announced 13 additions to the Penn State men's lacrosse team during Wednesday's National Signing Day. The group, which joins a team that won the most recent Big Ten championship in 2019, represents five states and Washington, D.C.

Joining the Nittany Lions for the 2022 season will be Kyle Aldridge, Lake Baker, Michael Buono, Michael Faraone, Jack Fracyon, Brenden Kelly, Ethan Long, Kevin Parnham, Will Peden, Mac Rietano, Finn Scanlon, Matty Traynor and Luke Walstrum

Below is a closer look at each incoming student-athlete:

KYLE ALDRIDGE
Midfield
Middletown, N.J./Salisbury School (Conn.)
6-1 | 185
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Earned first team All-Shore recognition after leading Christian Brothers Academy to 13-6 record in 2019…Totaled 66 points that season…Played for Tri-State Lacrosse.

PERSONAL
Born Kyle Thomas Aldridge in Red Bank, New Jersey, on September 7, 2002…Parents ate Thomas and Catherine Aldridge…Has two older brothers, Thomas and Connor…Cousin, Colin Aldridge played basketball at Brown…Cousin, Ryan Aldridge, played soccer at Gettysburg…Hobbies include hiking and surfing…Plans to major in business.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because of the close relationship between the players and coaches, as well as for the alumni program."


LAKE BAKER
Face-Off
Henderson, Nev./Coronado
6-1 | 215
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Led Coronado High School to a runner-up finish at the 2019 Nevada State Tournament…Named an SNLA Rising Star and was a multiple-time all-star…Played club lacrosse with the West Coast Starz and the Vegas Starz…Earned three Under Armour All-American honors and one Under Armour All-American All-Tournament Team award…Was a two-time Maverik All-Star and a one-time Adrenaline All-American…Led team to the 2018 Under Armour All-American Championships (West) and the Platinum Club Championship (West).

PERSONAL
Born Lake Bradley Baker in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on May 9, 2002…Parents are Lynae and Bradley Baker…Has one younger brother, Ledger…Hobbies including spending time with friends and family and nature…Plans to major in business.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because I grew up in a large school system and in a city with a large population, so a large school fits me."



MICHAEL BUONO
Defense
Wayne, Pa./Malvern Prep
6-2 | 190
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Led Malvern Prep to the 2019 Inter-Ac title and a top-20 ranking in the Inside Lacrosse Poll…Played club with Mesa, helping the team achieve a top-10 national ranking…Played in the FCA National league in Lake Placid for two years…Selected to play in the FCA National League in Vail in 2021.
PERSONAL
Born Michael Philip Buono in Wayne, Pennsylvania, on June 6, 2002…Nickname is Pup…Parents are Michael and JoAnn Buono…Father played lacrosse at Villanova…Mother played field hockey at Villanova…Has two younger brothers, Roman and Angus, and one younger sister, Grayson…Grandfather, Michael Buono, played football at Villanova…Hobbies include hunting, fishing, cooking and boating…Plans to major in marketing.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because after my first trip to campus I fell in love with the school and immediately felt comfortable with the coaching staff. Playing for a top-five program was very important to me  and I wanted to be at school that would help prepare me for life after college.



MICHAEL FARAONE
Attack
Franklin Square, N.Y./Carey
6-4 | 185
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Started in each of his first two seasons at Carey High School, leading the team to the county quarterfinals both seasons…Totaled 50 points on 29 goals and 21 assists in 2019…Selected as a team captain in 2020…Played club lacrosse with Igloo Black Ice, which was ranked fourth in the country by US Club Lax after going 9-1 in 2020…Igloo Black Ice was a World Series finalist in 2016.

PERSONAL
Born Michael Emil Faraone in Rockville Center, N.Y., on November 26, 2003…Parents are Michael and Heather Faraone…Father played lacrosse at NYIT and won a national championship in 1997…Has a twin sister, Josie, and a younger sister, Sophia…Hobbies include biking, fishing and video games…Plans to major in business.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because it provided the ability to play lacrosse at the highest level, because of the culture and brotherhood the coaching staff provides, and because it's a great college atmosphere."



JACK FRACYON
Goalie
Annapolis, Md./Bullis School
6-1 | 175
 



PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Led Bullis School to two LAC titles and one Geico championship…Played for the D.C. Express Lacrosse Club and the Peninsula Lacrosse Club…Led D.C. Express to a 45-7 record, three national championships, two NLF titles and two Crabfeast titles.

PERSONAL
Born Jack Mansour Fracyon in Annapolis, Maryland, on March 1, 2003…Parents are Franco and Noelle Fracyon…Has one older brother, Mike, who played lacrosse at Washington College, and one older sister, Alex…Hobbies include playing football and fishing…Plans to enroll in the business program.

WHY PENN STATE?
"Happy Valley felt like a place I could call home for the next four years. I want to be among the greats in terms of college lacrosse goalies who played at Penn State."


BRENDEN KELLY
Attack
Kinnelon, N.J./Bergen Catholic
6-0 | 170
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Named captain for his final two seasons at Bergen Catholic…Earned all-conference, all-county and all-state (non-public) honors after totaling 35 goals and 20 assists as a sophomore…Named to the Nike National Lacrosse Team for New Jersey…Played for the Upper Level Lacrosse Club and for NJ Riot Lacrosse…Was a three-year member of the varsity ice hockey team at Bergen Catholic… Helped the team win the Bergen County Championship in the 2019 season…Named team captain as a senior.

PERSONAL
Born Brenden Michael Kelly in Denville, New Jersey, on July 1, 2002… Parents are Kevin and Nicole Kelly…Has a younger brother, Connor, and a younger sister, Brynn…Hobbies include fishing and traveling…Plans to enroll in the Smeal College of Business.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose to attend Penn State because of its academic excellence, campus and community atmosphere, and the vast opportunities the alumni network has to offer. Along with the vision and culture of the lacrosse program, I knew that Penn State was where I belonged."



ETHAN LONG
Midfield
Phoenix, Md./Calvert Hall
6-0 | 170
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Helped Calvert Hall win two MIAA titles in 2017 and 2018…Named a captain in 2019 and 2020…Played club with Crabs Lacrosse.

PERSONAL
Born Ethan Carl Long in Phoenix, Maryland, on August 1, 2002…Parents are Tim and Laurie Long…Has two older sisters, Christian and Griffin…Hobbies include golfing and going to the beach.

WHY PENN STATE?
I loved the coaching staff, team, atmosphere and culture.


KEVIN PARNHAM
Defense
Tewksbury, N.J./The Pingry School
6-0 | 190
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Helped Pingry School win a New Jersey state title in 2018, the fourth straight for the program…Played club lacrosse with Leading Edge.

PERSONAL
Born Kevin Stephen Parnham in Flemington, N.J., on November 11, 2002…Parents are Karen and Stephen Parnham…Father played hockey at Ryerson…Has two older brothers, Riley and Matt, and one older sister, Hannah…Riley played soccer at Roger Williams…Hobbies include clay working…Plans to major in business.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because I want to compete for national championships while pursuing a world-class education."


WILL PEDEN
Attack
Downingtown, Pa./Malvern Prep
5-11 | 175
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Totaled 61 points on 29 goals and 32 assists while leading Malvern Prep to the 2019 Inter-Ac title and a top-20 ranking in the Inside Lacrosse Poll…Earned second-team all-county recognition that season…Played club lacrosse with Mesa, with Big 4 Triple H and with Rising Sons.

PERSONAL
Born Will Dean Peden in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 18. 2002…Mother is Brooke Peden…Mother played soccer at Elon…Father, Drew, played basketball at Elon…Has two older brothers, Jake and Grant…Jake played lacrosse at North Carolina…Hobbies include mountain biking and paddle boarding…Plans to major in communications.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because it has been a dream of mine to compete for the Lions, and the coaching staff is incredible. I want to play at the highest level and grow everyday as a player and a person."


MAC RIETANO
Midfield
Washington, D.C./Bullis School
6-1 | 175
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Led Bullis School to the 2018 and 2019 IAC titles and the 2019 Geico National Championship…Was named a team captain as a junior…Played club lacrosse with D.C. Express…Led the team to two NLF national titles and two Crabfeast titles.
PERSONAL
Born Thomas McElroy Rietano in Washington, D.C., on May 28, 2002…Parents are Tom and Margaret Rietano…Has one older brother, Ben, and two older sisters, Sheila and Marlee…Sheila played lacrosse at Boston College…Hobbies include fishing and hunting…Plans to major in criminology.
WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because I knew I wanted a big school with a lot of school spirit, and the coaching staff really made PSU feel like home when I visited."



FINN SCANLON
Defense
Washington, D.C./Gonzaga College High School
6-0 | 190
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Helped Gonzaga College High School win back-to-back WCAC titles in 2018-19…Named a team captain for two seasons in 2020-21…Played club lacrosse for Blackwolf and for Next Level.

PERSONAL
Born James Finn Scanlon in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2003…Parents are Michael and Devon Scanlon…Devon was a swimmer at North Carolina…Has one older sister, Libby, and one younger sister, Polly…Hobbies include basketball and golf.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because the coaching staff and current players were welcoming and very kind."


MATTY TRAYNOR
Midfield
Downingtown, Pa./Malvern Prep
6-1 | 185
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Led Malvern Prep to the 2019 Inter-Ac title and a top-20 ranking in the Inside Lacrosse Poll…Played club lacrosse with Mesa Fresh, with Freedom and with Rising Sons.

PERSONAL
Born Matthew P. Traynor in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2002…Parents are Kevin and Beth Traynor…Has three older brothers, Tripp, AJ and Jack, and one younger brother, Kyle…Tripp played lacrosse at Penn State from 2015-18…Jack is a current member of the Penn State lacrosse team…Hobbies include surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking and soccer…Plans to major in business.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because of the welcoming coaching staff and the character of the players."


LUKE WALSTRUM
Attack
Newtown Pa./Council Rock North
5-11 | 180
 


PRIOR TO PENN STATE
Was a three-year member of the varsity lacrosse team at Council Rock High School North…Tallied 58 points in his freshman season with 36 goals and 22 assists…Led his team with 104 total points as a sophomore… Awarded the Suburban One All-League Player and Suburban One League Most Valuable Player in his sophomore season… Was named captain for final two seasons… Played with the Big 4 HHH Lacrosse Club, which finished as runner-up in the National Lacrosse Federation Championship in 2019… Ranked No. 41 in the country by the National Lacrosse Federation and No. 61 in the Inside Lacrosse Class of 2021 Rankings.

PERSONAL
Born Luke Ryan Walstrum in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, on May 23, 2003…Parents are Brian and Stacey Walstrum…Has an older sister, Jacklyn, and a younger sister, Bridget…Hobbies include fishing and going to the beach.

WHY PENN STATE?
"I chose Penn State because I fell in love with the school on my visit and because I really admire the coaches. Penn State gives me a chance to compete for a national championship."