Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Lacrosse Welcomes Five Newcomers in 2009
6/12/2008 8:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
June 12, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head women's lacrosse coach Caline McHenry announced the addition of five newcomers to the program for the 2009 season. McHenry, who recently completed her first season at Bucknell, welcomes two attackers, two midfielders and a goalie in the Class of 2012. Joining the team will be attack Kelly Castafero, midfielder Ryan Gribbon, midfielder Jenna Lotkowictz, attack Kaitlyn Love and goalie Jenna Wadsworth.
All five come from extremely strong high school programs. In fact, three incoming student-athletes are products of high school programs ranked in the top six in the most recent 2008 Laxpower.com national rankings, and all five are from teams ranked in the top 103 out of more than 2,200 schools ranked. The five new Bison enjoyed a combined record of 95-15 during their senior year of high school, and two players were part of state championship teams in Maryland and Virginia.
"We really targeted players who stood out in their work ethic, attitude and athleticism," said McHenry of her first Bucknell recruiting class. "As a whole, they are all smart players who will make an immediate impact in our program. I'm very excited to begin working with them this fall."
Gribbon and Wadsworth are both products of state championship programs. Gribbon is a native of Alexandria, Va., and a starting midfielder at powerful St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School. She was part of two state title-winning programs and helped lead the Saints to a perfect 26-0 record in 2008. The team was ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of the season, and was listed No. 2 in the most recent LaxPower rankings. Gribbon contributed to a defense that allowed only 3.5 goals per game and pitched five shutouts this spring. Gribbon, whose father Michael played soccer at Clemson and later in the North American Soccer League, played on the Lacrosse Nationals Mid-Atlantic Team as a junior. She also earned four varsity letters in tennis and captained that team as a senior.
"Ryan is a very strong player, and she comes from one of the best programs in the country," said McHenry. "That competition against top-notch players every day should have her well-prepared to play at the collegiate level. She has the potential to be a great player, and we hope she will have an immediate impact in the midfield next season. Ryan has a good stick and tremendous field vision, and she plays the game with fire and passion."
Wadsworth was the starting goalie for a Severna Park High School team that just completed back-to-back 20-0 seasons and won a pair of Maryland 4A/3A state championships. The 2008 team was ranked No. 3 in the most recent LaxPower computer rankings and outscored foes 352-95. Named a "Top 5 Player to Watch" by the Baltimore Sun in 2007, Wadsworth is a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and the recipient of her team's Falcon Pride Award. At Bucknell, Wadsworth will compete for playing time with rising sophomore Alyssa DeLorenz. The Bison had just one goalie on the roster last season.
"Jenna is going to be really dynamic for us," said McHenry. "As the starting goalie on a team that went undefeated in two straight seasons, she obviously comes from a strong lacrosse background. Most importantly, I'm excited to have two quality goalies on the roster who can push each other and help each other get better. Jenna and Alyssa will compete every day for the starting spot."
Also hailing from a top-caliber Maryland program is Love, who played at McDonogh School, which finished 18-3 in 2008 and was ranked No. 6 in the LaxPower national rankings. A US Lacrosse Academic All-American, Love was hampered by a knee injury last season.
"It will be interesting to see how Kaitlyn comes back from her injury," said McHenry. "If she is 100 percent physically, she has outstanding potential. She is a smart player who works hard and has a great shot."
Lotkowictz is another potential impact player in the midfield. A three-sport captain at Skaneateles (N.Y.) High School, she has topped the 50-goal plateau for the second straight season in 2008, and after capturing its sixth consecutive Section III championship, her team will be playing in the Class C state semifinals later this week. The squad is currently ranked No. 58 in the LaxPower national rankings.
Lotkowictz, whose sister Emily just finished her sophomore year on the Lafayette women's lacrosse team, is a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and a team captain. In 2007, she earned first team all-conference and second team All-Central New York honors, while leading her team to a state runner-up finish. Lotkowictz also starred in soccer and ice hockey at Skaneateles. In soccer, she earned first team all-league and team MVP honors last season, and she led the team in scoring three straight years. On the ice, she was named the team's offensive MVP in 2007-08.
"I am very excited about Jenna's prospects at the college level," said McHenry. "She is small but very fast. I see her making an immediate impact. Depending on how quickly she adapts to the college game, she could have a tremendous career here."
Castafero is a native of Radnor, Pa., and a 2008 graduate of Conestoga High School. She helped her team to a 13-7 record this spring. Castafero, whose sister Kristin will be a Bucknell senior next year, will play attack for the Bison.
"Kelly is a very smart player, so that will help her adjust to the college game," McHenry said. "She has a great attitude and work ethic. I can't wait to see how she develops over the next four years."
The Bison women's lacrosse team finished 6-8 last season, including an 18-17 upset of Ohio State in late-March. The team set a school record by averaging 12.8 goals per game in 2008, despite having a young roster that featured only two seniors. All but one starter returns in 2009, in addition to the five newcomers.
Bucknell 2009 Women's Lacrosse Recruits
Name Position Hometown/High School Kelly Castafero Attack Radnor, Pa./Conestoga Ryan Gribbon Midfield Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen's & St. Agnes Jenna Lotkewictz Midfield Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles Kaitlyn Love Attack Sparks, Md./McDonogh Jenna Wadsworth Goalie Severna Park, Md./Severna Park
