The Head Coaches of Section Five met on Sunday afternoon to listen to the presentations on twenty-four players who had been nominated for All-America Team honors. The awards, sponsored by US Lacrosse, identify some of the best players from each area of the country.

In previous years, the national awards were selected by various leagues. This year, after changes by US Lacrosse and as the result of a proposal from the Section Five Lacrosse Committee, the Head Coaches of thirty-five teams came together to pick the players to receive the various awards.

The Academic All-American award is the highest honor given to a player who is both a great lacrosse player and a great student. US Lacrosse allows one award for each ten teams in the area and so there were three awards for Section Five this year. An Academic All-American must, first be selected as All American and then, where warranted, can be nominated as the result of their academic accomplishments. Ten players were nominated for the award this year.

The All-American award is given to great lacrosse players from the area. US Lacrosse allows one award for each five teams in the area, so with thirty-six teams in Section Five, there were seven awards available this year. All twenty-four players nominated were considered.

2011 Academic All Americans

Jake Bailey - McQuaid Jesuit senior - defenseman - North Carolina
Greg Coholan - Irondequoit senior - attackman - Virginia
Steven Cregan - Brighton senior - midfielder - SUNY Geneseo

 2011 All Americans

James Burke - Pittsford senior midfielder - US Air Force Academy
Nick Doktor - Irondequoit junior attackman - verbal: Pennsylvania
JT Hauck - Webster Thomas senior midfielder - Binghamton
Andrew Hays - Fairport senior midfielder - North Carolina
Mike Messina - Aquinas senior midfielder - Syracuse
Zach Reed - Bath-Haverling senior attackman - Hobart
Ryan Yunker - Churchville-Chili senior midfielder - Bryant

Player Profiles

ACADEMIC ALL AMERICANS

Jake Bailey - McQuaid Jesuit High School

The senior defenseman from McQuaid Jesuit High School signed his National Letter of Intent to play at the University of North Carolina next year. Named to the GRALL "Sweet 16" list for the last three years, The A-level student was a two year captain. He was also a member of the ESG Western team, the Under Amour All America team and the Vail Shootout All Tournament team and attended the Blue Chip Rising seniors camp.

Comments: "Jake is a great kid and a great role model. He works hard at being a student and works hard at being an athlete. A great team player, he understands our defense at the same level as the coaching staff." Jake's Personal Page.

Greg Coholan - Irondequoit

The senior from Irondequoit has played at both midfield and attack. He made a verbal commitment to the University of Virginia in his junior year and followed that with the signing of his NLI in the fall. Greg's honors are long and deep and include the All Tournament team and All Greater Rochester list from last year. An A-level student, he was a member of the Western ESG and is listed among the Inside Lacrosse "Rising Top 50 Seniors" for 2010.

Comments:"Greg is one of the best players to come through the 58 year history of the Irondequoit Lacrosse Program. Very knowledgeable about the game, he shares it with younger teammates all the time." Greg's Personal Page.

Steven Cregan - Brighton

The Brighton senior midfielder scored 153 points in three years on Varsity and will attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall. He is a three year All-League player is an A-level student taking multiple AP courses.

Comments:"He is a role model for any student athlete and has a true understanding of what it means to compete, be a citizen and student of the game. He is a strong person because he has strong values, integrity and good character. There is one word to describe Steven Cregan: 'Special'." Steven's Personal Page.

ALL AMERICANS

James Burke - Pittsford

An Empire States Games Western and Adidas All American team member, the Pittsford senior midfielder and face off specialist picked up forty points this year and eight-five in his three years on Varsity for the Panthers. He will attend the Air Force Academy after graduation this year.

Comments:"He is Pittsford's leading scorer and a great face off guy. A three year starter he is intense at the face off X and tenacious when going after a ground ball ." James' Personal Page.

Nick Doktor - Irondequoit

A three time first team all-league attackman, the junior from Irondequoit has already scored 175 points in his three years at Varsity. A member of the Empire States Western Team and an Adidas All America team member, Nick has made a verbal commitment to play at the University of Pennsylvania after one more year with the Eagles.

Comments:"Even though Nick has had the best guy on him he has thrived in this situation. He has a great attitude, hard nosed work ethic and a burning desire to be the best he can be. His leadership and desire takes our team to a higher level. He is the type of kid that makes everyone around him better on and off the field." Nick's Personal Page.

JT Hauck - Webster Thomas

A four year Varsity midfielder, JT Hauck has played for the Nike Summer team, the Adidas All America Team and the Empire State Games Western Team. An All Greater Rochester Supper 16 selection in 2010, JT was also named to the 2010 All Tournament team last year. He will attend Binghamton University next fall.

Comments:"He is excellent at communication and a two year captain. From player to coach and coach to player he is my resource to feeling the pulse of the team. He has been challenged by opponents both physically and mentally and he has maintained his composure throughout." JT's Personal Page.

Drew Hays - Fairport

An All Tournament team selection last year, Drew has also been a member of the ESG Western team, the Adidas All America team, the Under Armour All America team and the Rochester Nike team. The senior midfielder from Fairport has scored 117 career points and made a verbal commitment that was followed by the signing of a National Letter of Intent to play at the University of North Carolina next fall.

Comments:"A three year starter, in a time of self-centered, unmotivated people, Drew is a breath of fresh air. He truly is a team player who thinks of other people before himself. He is extremely conscientious and dependable and is a leader by example." Drew's Personal Page.

Mike Messina - Aquinas Institute

A four year Varsity midfielder bound for Syracuse University, Mike has been on the Western ESG team, the Under Armour All America team and the Adidas All America team. He has won the FCA Heart of a Warrior Award and has played on the FCA National High School team. Since ninth grade he has produced 119 career points.

Comments:"Mike is a very talented player and has excelled at the Varsity level for four years. He has a great work ethic and a drive to win like no other. As a captain Mike has done a great job at keeping players on the same page and making good decisions." Mike's Personal Page.

Zach Reed - Bath-Haverling

Zach's accomplishments over his four year varsity career at Bath are long and distinguished. Starting with his team's Offensive Player of the Year in nineth grade he has been a three year captain, and member of the ESG Western team, the Adidas All America Team and the FCA Elite team playing for the North American Cup. A four time first team GRALL honoree, he has scored 161 goals and 192 assists (353 points) is an A-level student who will continue his education at Hobart College in the fall.

Comments:"He is a true sportsman who competes with effort and poise. He has taken our team to another level due to his play on the field. Zach is a player that every coach would want to have on their team. He has skill, character, leadership and a lacrosse family." Zach's Personal Page.

Ryan Yunker - Churchville-Chili

The Churchville-Chili senior who signed a Letter of Intent to play at Bryant College is a four year varsity attackman who has put up 158 goals and 91 assists (249 point) in his career. Ryan was a member of the Empire State Games Western team, the Adidas All America team, the Rochester FCA team and the U19 FCA Elite team who played for the North American Cup.

Comments:"Ryan cares not only about the game of lacrosse but about his teammates. He is a person who lets his actions speak for what he represents. As a senior captain he has taken on the responsibilities to help others to succeed." Ryan's Personal Page.