Magazine all about lacrosse
April 2013
Eight Lizards named to Team USA 52-man roster
Gear Zone 2013 $ 5.99 US $6.99 CAN
Maverik Lacrosse Signs Former Syracuse Standout JoJo Marasco
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April 2013 WWW.GROUNDBALL.COM
Features 34
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Eight Lizards named to Team USA 52-man roster
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Winners & Losers: NLL, Rob Pannell is Under Armour and Early Latest MLL Recruiting Fathead
51 Players on the Move
Departments 9 Gear Zone
Top Players Lacrosse Gear.
12 Just Signed Players getting signed by companies.
15 Top Ten Players Ten top college lacrosse players of the month
20 Skills Tips on how to play your best
25 Review Lacrosse interviews
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EDITOR IN CHIEF: Chris Johns DEPUTY EDITOR: Victoria Pope CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Bill Marr MANAGING EDITOR: David Brindley STORY DEVELOPMENT EDITOR: Barbara Paulsen ARTICLES EDITOR: Oliver Payne EDITOR AT LARGE: Cathy Newman FEATURES EDITOR: Glenn Oeland CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Caroline Alexander, Don Belt, Joel K. Bourne, Jr., Chip Brown, Bryan Christy, Robert Draper, Cynthia Gorney, Peter Hessler, Jennifer S. Holland, Mark Jenkins, Peter Miller, David Quammen DEPARTMENTS DIRECTOR: Margaret G. Zackowitz PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR AT LARGE: Michael Nichols SENIOR PHOTO EDITORS: Pamela Chen, Alice Gabriner, Kim Hubbard, Todd James, Elizabeth Krist, Sadie Quarrier PHOTO EDITOR: Jeanne M. Modderman RESEARCH EDITOR: Mary McPeak STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Mark Thiessen DIGITAL IMAGING: Edward Samuel, Evan Wilder DESIGN/ART DEPUTY CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kaitlin M. Yarnall DESIGN DIRECTOR: David C. Whitmore ART DIRECTOR: Juan Velasco SENIOR DESIGN EDITORS: John Baxter, Elaine H. Bradley GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALISTS: Kevin DiCesare, Sandi Owatverot-Nuzzo, Daniela Santamarina, Maggie Smith, Matthew Twombly ADMINISTRATION: Cinde Reichard, Trish Dorsey, Michael Kritikos
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GroundBall (ISSN 1947-4377) Volume 5, Issue 7 is published bimonthly by AFAR Media, LLC 130 Battery Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, U.S.A. In the US Groundball is a registered trademark of AFAR Media, LLC. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, or any other unsolicited materials. Subscription price for U.S. residents: $25.00 for 7 issues. Canadian subscription rate: $35.00 (GAT included) for 7 issues. All other countries $40.00 for 7 issues. To order a subscription to GroundBall or to inquire about an existing subscription, please write to GroundBall Customer Service, P. O. Box 6265, Harlan IA 51591-1765, or call (888) 403-9001. Periodicals postage paid at SanFrancisco, CA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to GroundBall, P. O. Box 6265, Harlan, IA51591-1765.
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GEAR ZONE
Featuring Lacrosse players: JoJo Marasco - Syrucuse/ New York Lizards Drew Adama - Penn Stare/ New York Lizards
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Check Out whats in JoJo’s Bag 1.
1. Qty 2 Maverik Metrik Head HS Spec White 2. Qty 3 Unreleased Maverik Range Handles 8000 Series Alloy Orange, Black, Silver 3. ROME NXT Gloves White 4. Cascade R Helmet
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Check Out what’s in Drew’s Bag 1. 2. 3. 4.
Helmet: CPXR Head: Base Shaft: Wonderboy Gloves: Maybach Duece
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April 2013
Just Signed
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Maverik Lacrosse Signs Former Syracuse Standout JoJo Marasco From Press Releases - 10/18/2013 Maverik Lacrosse announced today that JoJo Marasco, former NCAA All-America selection and 2013 Big East Midfielder of the Year at Syracuse University, is the newest addition to its roster of elite lacrosse athletes. Marasco, who was selected by the New York Lizards in the 2013 Major League Lacrosse Draft and is currently on the US Men’s National Team training roster, will represent Maverik at clinics and tournaments across the country. “Surpassing the legendary Paul Gait’s single season assist record as a midfielder is a reflection not only on JoJo’s vision and work ethic, but also his dedication to his teammates,” said Mike Chepucavage, Marketing Director for Cascade and Maverik Lacrosse. “His selfless approach to the game is a prime example of how we should promote and teach the sport to youth players." A native of Somers, New York, JoJo Marasco has been on a fast track to lacrosse success since his playing days at Somers High School, where he earned All-America honors twice. Marasco remains the all-time leading scorer in Somers High School history with 212 goals and 104 assists.
As a senior at Syracuse University, Marasco led the team in points with 66 total, tallying 24 goals and 42 assists. His 42 assists rank first alltime at Syracuse in single season assists from a midfielder. JoJo finished out his senior season earning First Team All-America honors and being named a 2013 Tewaaraton finalist for the most outstanding player of the year. Most recently, Marasco was named to U.S. Men’s National Team training roster in preparation to the 2014 World Lacrosse Championships in Denver, Colorado. "I’m thrilled to be joining such an innovative and dedicated team," said Marasco. "I've always admired Maverik's approach to product development and grassroots marketing. I’m looking forward to playing my part in developing cutting edge equipment and raising awareness about the game. To be part of this movement is an honor and a privilege." Fans will have a chance to meet JoJo Marasco at the grand opening of the Lacrosse Unlimited of Longmeadow MA. Saturday December 7th from 12 to 3 pm.
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April 2013
Championship Weekend Syracuse’s JoJo Marasco hopes to make his final mark with the legendary number 22 on championship weekend
Syracuse’s JoJo Marasco hopes to make his final mark with the legendary number 22 on championship weekend One thing stands out most in Jovan Miller's mind about the first time he met JoJo Marasco.
By then, he already knew Marasco had asked to wear the legendary number 22 as a freshman for the Syracuse men's lacrosse team. After that first conversation, he started to understand why. Marasco told Miller he did not want to just play at SU. He wanted to be remembered. “Anybody who says that, I can be a fan of his for the rest of my life," Miller said. "I can't knock anybody who feels like that, anybody who's willing to come out and say, 'Yeah, I want to be great. As a matter of fact, I'm going to wear the most vaunted number in college lacrosse at a historic university like Syracuse to prove my worth as a player.'"
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Marasco has gone through his college career pursuing that goal of being remembered. He dreamed of playing for the Orange growing up in Yorktown Heights and seeing the numerous Syracuse alumni that flood the lacrosse scene near his hometown. He asked for the number 22, which has been worn by SU greats Gary Gait, Charlie Lockwood and the Powell brothers among others, before he started his freshman year. It has not been the picture-perfect career full of trophies and individual accolades for Marasco. Through his first three years, he had not reached his full potential. This season as a senior, though, he has worked his way into Syracuse lore and multiple Orange alumni believe he has proven himself a worthy successor to the great players that wore 22 before him.
April 2013
Marasco has the opportunity to continue his legacy Saturday when SU plays Denver at 5 p.m. in the national semifinals at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
“... When people thought he was out and done, he rose to the top and became a legend just like those other players.”
“To me, this is the best midfield passing season I've seen at the collegiate level in decades,” said former SU All-American Paul Carcaterra, who knew Marasco well before he got to Syracuse. “He's going to be remembered as a playmaker, a quarterback of the offense from the midfield, which is not a regular theme in lacrosse.”
Mean comments about Syracuse men's lacrosse Syracuse University men's lacrosse players read disparaging words from commenters on syracuse. com, long before they turned around their season and made it to the final four. Marasco did not start his career wearing 22 as a freshman. Cody Jamieson, who scored the gamewinning goal in the 2009 national.....
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championship game, took the number that year instead, but his teammates were well aware Marasco asked for 22. Within the first week of practice, the upperclassmen, who were coming off back-to-back national titles, realized Marasco could be a star, but they also felt that he had an ego. “JoJo never lacked ego,” said John Galloway, a junior goalie when Marasco came to SU. “That's for sure. That's what makes him really talented. If he didn't have confidence, he wouldn't be able to make some of the plays he does.” That group of upperclassmen had a conversation about potentially having to harness JoJo's ego. The only time Miller remembers it being an issue, though, was after SU played Army during Marasco's sophomore year. Marasco scored three goals and two assists and ran out the clock on his own to end the game. During practice the next week, Marasco said he was the reason the Orange won. Miller said that was the one time he really laid into his younger teammate relating to his attitude. Marasco remembers the comment but said he was either joking around or talking trash in response to a verbal jab from a teammate. "I can see where they're coming from, but at the same time, I didn't feel like I was disrespecting them," Marasco said. “I listened to them. I'd do whatever they asked. I still respect them. I never tried to be cocky or better than them." Ultimately, that was the only incident that stood out in two years with those upperclassmen. Marasco ended up tying up for the team lead in points as a sophomore attack and appeared on pace for a solid career. After his sophomore year, though, the Orange lost seven senior All-Americans. Marasco was selected to be a team captain entering his junior year. The coaches asked him to switch permanently to the midfield from attack. He struggled with the position change and his new role as a team leader.
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"Being the go-to guy my sophomore year behind (the goal) then moving up to midfield, kind of taking a backseat to Tommy Palasek and Timmy Desko, was tough," Marasco said. "And to lose all those (upperclassmen), they were such great leaders. Those guys basically ran the team. Now it's me. It was definitely a different experience." Marasco finished fourth on the team with 31 points. The Orange nearly missed the NCAA Tournament but snuck in by winning the Big East Tournament and the automatic bid with it. Still, Duke knocked out SU in the first round. Entering his senior year, Marasco was on pace to be remembered, just not in the way he had planned. He and his fellow seniors were on the verge of becoming the first Syracuse class since the class of 1979 to never make the Final Four. Some former Orange players said they thought Marasco would not prove worthy of wearing the number 22 after those first three years.
Marasco, though, has done everything to prevent that from happening. He played box lacrosse in Canada in the offseason to improve his stick skills and vision, and that has paid off. He broke Paul Gait's SU single season record for assists by a midfielder and dished out the game-tying and game-winning assists last weekend against Yale to get the Orange back to the Final Four. He was named a first-team All-American, Big East Midfielder of the Year and is one of five Tewaaraton Trophy finalists. Now those Orange alumni said he should be included in the conversations with the other legends to don that number. Marasco, though, has one last thing he wants to add to his resume with the number 22 -- a national championship. "It's been a tough ride but a great ride," Marasco said. "I've had so much fun. I have no regrets. ... Hopefully we can win this championship. I just want to go out with a bang like all the other guys have."
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April 2013
Eight Lizards named to Team USA 52-man roster By Marie Letterii
The 52-man Team USA roster has been announced,
and all eight Lizards who attended tryouts have survived the first round of cuts. Ten members of the 2013 Lizard’s squad were invited to attend the try outs at Goucher College over Labor Day weekend, with all but David Earl (M) and Matt Gibson (A) making the trip down to Baltimore. Drew Adams (G), Greg “Beast” Gurenlian (FO), Brian Karalunas (LSM), Rob Pannell (A), Stephen Peyser (M), Max Seibald (M) and Kevin Unterstein (SSDM) all attended tryouts representing the green and black. Of the eight Lizards in attendance this weekend, all were invited to continue to work with Team USA throughout the fall and winter, before the final roster is cut to 23 men at the end of January. Drew Adams- Adams played collegiately at Penn State University where he was a three time All-American. Adams ranks first in PSU history with 694 career saves. Adams joined the Lizards in 2009 when he was drafted in the third round of the 2009 MLL Collegiate Draft. Since joining the Lizards, he has been named an MLL All-Star twice and was also named Warrior Goalie of the Year in 2011 and 2012. Adams currently has 713 saves after playing five years of professional lacrosse for the Lizards. Greg Gurenlian- Gurenlian nicknamed “The Beast” started his professional career in 2006 when he was drafted 23rd overall to the Rochester Rattlers from Penn State University. Gurenlian, currently a captain for the Lizards, joined the team in 2010. In 2012, Gurenlian was the top
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face-off specialist in the League and continues to hold that namesake in 2013. With a 232-362 face-off record, Gurenlian has finished the 2013 season with the best face-off win percentage in the history of the League, winning 64.1% of the draws he took. Gurenlian’s 109 ground balls this season also ties him at number four for the most ground balls won in a single season. Gurenlian also holds the number two spot on that list, picking up 124 during the 2012 season. In 2013, he was named the defensive player of the week twice, was selected as an MLL All-Star, and named to the MLL All-Pro Team for the second consecutive season. Brian Karalunas- Karalunas was a three time AllAmerican at Villanova University. In 2011 and 2012, he was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He is also an all-time leader in the NCAA for caused turnovers with 153. Karalunas was selected by the Lizards in the sixth round of the 2011 MLL Collegiate Draft. He was named to the MLL All-Star roster in 2012 and 2013.
“I received the call and the email last night. I am very excited to have the opportunity to tryout for Team USA and be on the field with the best players in the country,” said Marasco
April 2013
Rob Pannell- The 2013 Tewaaraton Award winner, Pannell is the second Cornell player to be nominated for the award twice. He was the 2013 Ivy League Player of the Year for the third time and was a unanimous first team All-Ivy honoree. Pannell holds the NCAA all-time scoring leader with 354 career points as well as holding the Cornell and Ivy League all-time scoring records. In 2012 he was drafted first overall to the Lizards, but after suffering a season ending injury three games into his senior season, decided to save his year of eligibility for the 2013 season with Cornell. He joined the Lizards in 2013 and was named an MLL All-Star after playing in just five games. Pannell was named the 2013 Cascade Rookie of the Year, finishing the season as the League’s 9th leading scorer.
Stephen Peyser- Peyser won two National Championships at Johns Hopkins and was named a third team All-American during his collegiate career. In 2008, Peyser was drafted fifth overall to the New Jersey Pride. After one season with the Pride, Peyser was traded to the Long Island Lizards in 2009. He currently plays for the Lizards, and earned an All Star team nod in 2011. Peyser ranks 11th in the MLL for two point goals scored in a season and is the Lizards all-time leading 2-point goal scorer with 16 goals. Peyser joined Max Seibald in 2010 on the US 2010 World Championship team.
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Max Seibald- Seibald currently serves as one of the Lizard’s three team captains. At Cornell in 2009, Seibald led his team to the National Championship game where they lost in overtime to Syracuse. Seibald was awarded the 2009 Tewaaraton Award as well as the USILA Outstanding Midfielder of the year award, first team All-American and first team All-Ivy selections. After graduating from Cornell, Seibald played three seasons with the Denver Outlaws, who selected him second overall in the 2009 MLL Collegiate Draft. In 2011 he was traded to the Long Island Lizards. Seibald was also a member of the 2010 World Championship team, where they defeated Canada in the World Championships. Siebald was a member of the 2009, 2011, and 2012 MLL All-Star teams.
Kevin Unterstein- Unterstein enjoyed a stellar playing career as a short-stick defensive midfielder from 2005 through 2008 at Hofstra University. As a senior he recorded a team-leading 70 ground balls while helping to guide the Pride to the Colonial Athletic Association title and the NCAA Tournament. Unterstein joined the League in 2008 after being drafted to the New Jersey Pride. He played a season for Long Island in 2009, was traded to Denver and then back to Long Island in 2012 where he currently plays. Kevin is currently one of three captains for the NY Lizards and also serves as the Associate Head Coach of the Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse Team.
JoJo Marasco- The 2013 Tewaaraton
Award nominee joined the Lizards in early June after completing his senior season with the Syracuse Orange on Memorial Day. Despite a slow start, Marasco finished his rookie season strong, scoring three goals against the Denver Outlaws on August 4, and three goals and two assists against the Ohio Machine in the season finale on August 10. His five point performance against the Machine also earned him MVP of the Game.While at Syracuse, Marasco
became SU’s all-time leading midfield singleseason assist holder, with 42 assists during his senior season. Marasco surpassed Paul Gait’s record of 34 assists. He was the 2013 Big East Midfielder of the Year, and a unanimous selection to the All-Big East first team. Added just hours before tryouts began; Marasco had an excellent weekend in Baltimore, earning him a spot on the 52-man roster.