2007 MCLA Division A All-America Awards

[Sonny]

Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division A All America

First Team
Attack
Mark Davis, Brigham Young University, Jr.
Danny Stevens, Colorado State University, Sr.
Julian Coffman, University of Oregon, Sr.
Justin Hier, Brigham Young University, So.

Midfield
Pat Bird, Colorado State University, Sr.
Tyler Monteath, Brigham Young University, Jr.
Scott Cadiz, University of Colorado, Sr.
Trevor Tesar, University of Oregon, Sr.

Defense
Douglas Abate, UC Santa Barbara, Sr.
Chris Zolkower, Michigan State University, Sr.
Mike Algozer, Georgia Institute of Technology, Sr.
Adam Schnirl, Colorado State University, Sr.

Faceoff Specialist
Scott Miller, University of Oregon, Sr..

Defensive Specialist
Chris Schaible, UC Santa Barbara, So

Goalie
Jake Launert, University of Minnesota – Duluth, Jr.

All America Second Team
Attack
Jon Atwood, University of Colorado, Sr.
Chris Cook, Northeastern University, Sr.
Tyler Westfall, Arizona State University, So.
Corey Noonan, Florida State University, So.

Midfield
Ted Ferrin, Brigham Young University, Fr.
Mike Christians, Simon Fraser University, Sr.
Kyle Klossner, University of Minnesota – Duluth, Sr.
Zach Davis, Brigham Young University, Sr.

Defense
Todd Jolly, University of Oregon, Sr.
Matt Ziebol, University of Minnesota – Duluth , Jr.
Jordan Harris, Brigham Young University, Sr.
Chris Ward, Boston College, Jr.

Faceoff Specialist
Ryan Groom, University of Minnesota – Duluth, Jr.

Defensive Specialist
Murphy Smith, Brigham Young University, So.

Goalie
Craig Sini, Northeastern University, Sr.

Third Team
Attack
Pete Nelson, University of Minnesota – Duluth, Jr.
Jared Blechman, University of Michigan, So.
Watson Bryant, University of Georgia, Sr.
Austin Gardner-Smith , Boston College, Jr.
Nicholas Stratton, UC Santa Barbara, Sr.

Midfield
Rob Lombard, University of Florida, Sr.
Stephen Black, University of Illinois, So.
Jonathan Diplock, Lindenwood University, Fr.
Tom Lauria, University of Minnesota – Duluth, Sr.
Nathan Tabb, Texas A&M University, Sr.

Defense
Phil Keebler, Sonoma State University, So.
Scott Kelly, University of California –Berkley, Sr.
Will Miller, Northeastern University, Sr.
Will Clugston, Michigan State University, Sr.
Clint English, University of Utah, Jr.

Specialist
Brekhan Kohlitz, University of Michigan, Jr.
Brandon Baethke, Lindenwood University, So.

Goalie
Warren Pringle, Sonoma State University, Sr.
Tyson Ehinger , Colorado State University, Jr.

Honorable Mention
Foster Malcolm, A, Northeastern University, Sr.
Brian Baines, A, Michigan State University, Sr.
Ryan Westfall, M, Arizona State University, Fr.
Dustin Benesch, M, UC Santa Barbara, Sr.
Tom Luckey, M, Boston College, Fr.
Mark Swoboda, M, Santa Clara University, So.
Stephen Lundberg, M, Colorado State University, So.
Justin Ashenfelter, FOGO, Boston College, Sr.
Jon Maxwell, FOGO, Sonoma State University, Sr.
Doug Sutherland, FOGO, University of Illinois, So.
Masato Takeshita, FOGO, UC Santa Barbara, Sr.
Scott Rickert, DS, University of Arizona, Sr.
Chris Cecil, LSM, Florida State University, Sr.
Griffin Knowlton, LSM, Northeastern University, Jr .
Christian Kikumoto, G, Brigham Young University, Jr.
Eric Rakoczy, G, University of Illinois, Fr.
Matt Smith, G, University of Georgia, Jr.

[laxdad54]

Congratulations to all the recipients as well as to their families, teammates, coaches’

[wingman3227]

I too would like to congratulate all of the award winners from this season...but I have to continue to gripe a bit...I think that the process was flawed in a way...if you look at the list especially the first two teams...it is more of a National Championship Tourney all star team...this is why no other league allows their selections to be pushed off until after the playoffs are over....it is very difficult for voters not to use the tourney as the main criteria for the selections after seeing all of the tourney teams play...This is supposed to be an award for the entire season, not simply for the last few weeks of the season...again, I am not complaining about the selections, the guys I wanted to see on the list are on there...but there were already awards given to the outstanding players in the tournament, I would have liked to see a list representing the entire season that was played...Finally I would like to thank the committee for all of their hard work, I know this isn't an easy job...I hope everyone enjoys their summer...

[Sonny]

I too would like to congratulate all of the award winners from this season...but I have to continue to gripe a bit...

again, I am not complaining about the selections,

Gripe?
Complain?

What's the difference?

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

I too would like to congratulate all of the award winners from this season...but I have to continue to gripe a bit...I think that the process was flawed in a way...if you look at the list especially the first two teams...it is more of a National Championship Tourney all star team...this is why no other league allows their selections to be pushed off until after the playoffs are over....it is very difficult for voters not to use the tourney as the main criteria for the selections after seeing all of the tourney teams play...This is supposed to be an award for the entire season, not simply for the last few weeks of the season...again, I am not complaining about the selections, the guys I wanted to see on the list are on there...but there were already awards given to the outstanding players in the tournament, I would have liked to see a list representing the entire season that was played...Finally I would like to thank the committee for all of their hard work, I know this isn't an easy job...I hope everyone enjoys their summer...

Firstly, I think that if you did the voting before the tourney, most people would not have a chance to see the smaller teams play. Therefore, the list would be more packed with the higher ranked teams. How many of the voters got to see anyone from Northeastern or UMD before the tourney?

Secondly, doesnt it make sense that the team with the best players would make it further in the tourney than those with a few really good players? The additional talent in your depth is going to win more games than a killer middie line alone.

[jmaxwell2]

I too would like to congratulate all of the award winners from this season...but I have to continue to gripe a bit...I think that the process was flawed in a way...if you look at the list especially the first two teams...it is more of a National Championship Tourney all star team...this is why no other league allows their selections to be pushed off until after the playoffs are over....it is very difficult for voters not to use the tourney as the main criteria for the selections after seeing all of the tourney teams play...This is supposed to be an award for the entire season, not simply for the last few weeks of the season...again, I am not complaining about the selections, the guys I wanted to see on the list are on there...but there were already awards given to the outstanding players in the tournament, I would have liked to see a list representing the entire season that was played...Finally I would like to thank the committee for all of their hard work, I know this isn't an easy job...I hope everyone enjoys their summer...

I tend to agree with you on these points. It seems that most of the voting for the 1st and 2nd teams are based primarily on how far the team went in the tournament to the exclusion of other players from other teams. Would that same player from BYU, Oregon, or Colorado have been even considered if he played for another team that hadn't gone as far in the championships or not even made the tournament. I know that many of you will disagree with me, but that's life.

Secondly, I would like to congratulate my son, Jon Maxwell of Sonoma State, and thank all for the recognition you gave to him. In the off-season he had to endure 4 operations on his right leg and before clearing him to play a week before the season started, the doctors told him that they felt that he would not be able to effectively compete at all this season. Three weeks later, he shared face-offs with two other players and took 49% of of the face-offs he took against Oregon.

[Ballin']

i am going to agree with dan that it makes sense that the first two teams should be filled with guys from teams that went further in the tourney. those were also teams that had sucess all season long, not just in the tourney.
"Would that same player from BYU, Oregon, or Colorado have been even considered if he played for another team that hadn't gone as far in the championships or not even made the tournament."
what makes a great player great is not just their stats, its also about helping their teams win games. if these guys from BYU Oregon or Colorado went to other teams and helped them win as well as put up solid numbers then yea they would be considered for these awards. playing the "what if" game is pointless and stupid. fact is these guys put up great numbers and/or more importantly helped their teams win games. end of story

[jmaxwell2]

fact is these guys put up great numbers and/or more importantly helped their teams win games. end of story

Fact is there are OTHER guys that put up great numbers and/or more importantly helped their team win games, but the team may not be as strong overall to progress as far. They should also be given equal consideration based on their individual performances. I know that this isn't always possible as perfection is not always within reach, but that does not mean we shouldn't strive to do better. End of Story.

[bste_lax]

The First Team also features two players who didn't even play at Nationals.

[wheelz33]

The First Team also features two players who didn't even play at Nationals.

both defenseman... interesting considering its the only position that has no stats to help "judge" a player

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

Im not sure if we are running into a nice statistical debate of causation vs. correlation. While the championship game teams are very prominent in the list, how much of that is actually because they made it that far. If that were solely the case, people should avoid water after they eat ice cream, cause as people eat more ice cream, drowning deaths increase as well (they both happen during summer. Correlation, not causation).

[tmatlacrosse]

I'm surprised by teams like Michigan State and Illinois. Both of these teams have three All American's that made the list but they didn't make the tournament.

Then you have teams like Florida and and Texas A&M who only have one All American and a team like Colorado that only has two.

I guess I would expect teams like Michigan State and Illinois to make the tournament with the talent they have. Either that or the likes of Florida, A&M, and Colorado just have that much deeper of teams.

And the last thing I have to say is I wish the MCLA world would have gotten a chance to see Lance Dunning who is the fogo for FSU. He missed last years tournament because of going abroad for the summer and the team didn't make it to the tournament this year. I watched "turtle" and was not that impressed, compared to Lance, who I played with everyday. He received Academic All American last year and I hope he gets it again this year. To give a perspective on how good he is. Lance won 26 face offs against GT in the SELC tournament and lost one because of an illegal procedure. He dominated the All American Fogo from Illinois when we played earlier this year. Lance would have received MVP on our team if it weren't given to Corey Noonan the 2nd team All American and SELC most valuble offensive player. Guys who have faced him know that he's a little quirky but a bull when it comes to the face off X.

[Ballin']

ok jmaxwell,
obviously i dont know what players you are thinking should have made it over the ones that have, but obviously these OTHER guys did not do as good of a job a the AA guys to help their teams win games because these guys you are arguing agianst all made it at least to the semi's (talking about the BYU Oregon and CSU guys that you pointed out). another flaw to your "individual performance" argument is that you have to take into account the quality of the opponets these guys were facing. if someone puts up great numbers against teams that are no good, then why should they be recognized over someone that put up great numbers against quality teams (as did these guys from BYU Oregon and CSU)? to make this alot easier who do you feel should of been recognized that wasnt?

[jmaxwell2]

ok jmaxwell,
obviously i dont know what players you are thinking should have made it over the ones that have, but obviously these OTHER guys did not do as good of a job a the AA guys to help their teams win games because these guys you are arguing agianst all made it at least to the semi's (talking about the BYU Oregon and CSU guys that you pointed out). another flaw to your "individual performance" argument is that you have to take into account the quality of the opponets these guys were facing. if someone puts up great numbers against teams that are no good, then why should they be recognized over someone that put up great numbers against quality teams (as did these guys from BYU Oregon and CSU)? to make this alot easier who do you feel should of been recognized that wasnt?

No one in particular, thank you. I just feel that the selections should be more representative of players throughout the nation and not just specific conferences,as in the WCLL, RMLC, and the PNCLL. Players in other conferences should also have similar opportunities to achieve this status, or is it because we in the west and Rocky Mountain areas have "superior players" and "superior coaches" that some idiots profess.

[Hugh Nunn]

fact is these guys put up great numbers and/or more importantly helped their teams win games. end of story

Fact is there are OTHER guys that put up great numbers and/or more importantly helped their team win games, but the team may not be as strong overall to progress as far. They should also be given equal consideration based on their individual performances. I know that this isn't always possible as perfection is not always within reach, but that does not mean we shouldn't strive to do better. End of Story.

And as soon as there is a way for the selection committee to evaluate every player from every team (on a volunteer budget) I'm sure the three or four overlooked players will get their awards.

Be realistic. Even NCAA DI players get overlooked for the same reasons.