Bucknell University Athletics
Cook Announces Six-Player Recruiting Class for Bison Field Hockey
1/12/2016 10:04:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell field hockey head coach Jeremy Cook has announced a six-player recruiting class that will join the Bison starting with the 2016 season. Sam Chanzit, Allie Christopher, Olivia Harris, Marisa Morakis, Chloe Poltonavage and Brittany Willwerth are the latest group that will look to help the program stay on track with its consistent success over the past eight seasons.
"We are extremely excited about the level of competitiveness and maturity of this class both on and off the field," Cook said "We look forward to this class pushing our program in search of a Patriot League Championship and more firmly into the mix of the top NCAA programs."
The Bison are coming off their eighth straight appearance in the Patriot League Tournament, a streak that began with Cook's first season as the head coach.
The following is a closer look at each incoming player:
Sam Chanzit (Chester, N.J./Morristown-Beard
Four-year letterwinner at Morristown-Beard School … earned numerous first team accolades during her career, including all-prep, all-county and all conference … selected to play in the North Jersey Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Star Game … named to the NJ.com All-Non-Public Field Hockey Team … team advanced to the semifinals of the 2014 state tournament and the finals of Prep B, the furthest in the history of the program … scored 22 goals and had nine assists during her career … 2014 Junior Olympics selection and National Futures selection … daughter of Martin and Bonnie Chanzit … has one sibling, Scott … mother played volleyball at Penn State.
Cook on Chanzit -- "Sam has great size and athletic ability, great fundamentals, and will be a really solid addition to our backfield. She has a wonderful passion for the game and for Bucknell, and as she learns our system will work to contribute in the defense."
Allie Christopher (St. Louis, Mo./Villa Duchesne)
Three-year letterwinner and team captain her senior season at Villa Duchesne … 2015 Metro League Player of the Year … First Team All-Metro League --- two-time first team all-conference … St. Louis Post-Dispatch Preseason Player to Watch … helped Villa Duchesne advance to the state finals twice … scored 17 goals and added 21 assists her senior year … played for Aim Field Hockey … daughter of Alice Condie Christopher … has three siblings, Henry, Molly and Daniel … mother played field hockey at William & Mary (1988-92).
Cook on Christopher -- "Allie is athletic, skillful, and has a competitive nature that has driven her to a ton of success in high school and club hockey. We see her somewhere in the midfield, as she is very effective on both sides of the ball. She brings a great spirit with her to Bucknell. Her work rate, determination, and ability should be a huge plus for the team."
Olivia Harris (Chappaqua, N.Y./Horace Greeley)
Two-time selection as a goalkeeper for Team USA at the National Futures Championships (U16 in 2013 and U19 in 2014), helping the 2014 team win gold … Futures Elite selection and Futures Elite Championship selection in 2015, helping the team finish second … AAU Junior Olympics selection in 2013 … excelled at the club level, playing for FC United from 2011-15 … ranked first in least goals allowed in the Junior Premier Outdoor League in 2013 and 2014 … the 2014 team won the Region 6 title … named the MVP during the 2015 Junior Premier Indoor League season … currently playing for Pinoke Hockey Club in the Netherlands … ranks second among goalkeepers for the entire club … daughter of David Harris and Andrea Harris … has one sibling, Nathaniel.
Cook on Harris -- "We've known Liv for quite some time through her joining us here for camp and through her FC United FHC coaches. She was one of the top goalkeepers in her graduating class last year, and is now in the middle of a gap year over in The Netherlands playing hockey at the top level with Pinoke Hockey Club in Amsterdam. She has great size and strength, and is extremely quick in the cage. She was also incredibly mature and composed coming out of high school, and we expect her to be even more so this next fall after working with one of the top GK coaches in the world in the top field hockey nation."
Marisa Morakis (Potomac, Md./Wootton)
Four-year letterwinner in field hockey and lacrosse at Wootton High School … team captain for field hockey her senior season … second team all-county and Honorable Mention All-Metropolitan in 2014 … honorable mention all-county in 2013 … helped team advance to the state finals her sophomore and senior seasons … scored seven goals and added 15 assists as a senior … played for Capital Pegasus Field Hockey Club … daughter of DJ and Christy Morakis … has two siblings, Chloe and Sophia … Chloe is a junior on the Dickinson field hockey team.
Cook on Morakis -- "Marisa is the real deal and is extremely smart both on and off the field. She also takes great advantage of her athleticism, working very hard and covering a lot of ground on defense. She has great power in her ball speed and will be a defensive force for us once she get's a handle on our structure. Similar to our other incoming freshmen, she is a joy to be around and has been a leader in every aspect of her life."
Chloe Poltonavage (Lewisburg, Pa./Line Mountain)
Four-year letterwinner and team captain her senior season at Line Mountain High School … two-time selection to the Daily Item All-Star Team … two-time Tri-Valley League All-Star … led Tri-Valley League in goals in 2013 and 2014 … named her team's MVP in 2013 … helped Line Mountain make the semifinals of the district tournament three times and the state quarterfinals once … scored 57 goals and tallied 24 assists during her career … played for the Bison Field Hockey Club, ran by Bucknell head coach Jeremy Cook … daughter of Steve and Kim Poltonavage … has one sibling, Olivia, who is a sophomore on the field hockey team at Lebanon Valley College.
Cook on Poltonavage -- "We've known Chloe since before she was even in high school, as she's a member of our local club. We've seen her grow from a competitive young person into a composed, selfless, skilled leader on the field. She has an extremely supportive nature and brings out the best in all of those around her, We're looking forward to her making her mark on the program."
Brittany Willwerth (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot)
Four-year letterwinner and two-year team captain at Garden Spot High School … three-time Lancaster Lebanon All-Star … all-league selection … named her team's Offensive MVP four times … recipient of the Garden Spot Spartacus Award … holds school record with 53 goals and added 15 assists … helped team take silver in 2013 and bronze in 2014 and 2015 at the Keystone State Games of America … played club field hockey for Sutter's Brigade … daughter of Jeff and Lori Willwerth … has one sibling, Kyle.
Cook on Willwerth -- "Britt is an amazing athlete, has great experience playing all over the field, competing at center striker for her high school and center defender for her club. She's fast, skillful, team-oriented, and learns extremely fast. She has a wonderful disposition, is extremely competitive but tempered with a very light heart... and we can't wait to get her here on the field."
