By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/10/12
Downingtown East sophomore defenseman Jake Peden has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of North Carolina.
Jake Peden log:
High School: Downingtown East High School
Graduation Year: 2015
Position: Defense
College Choice: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Club Affiliation(s): Mesa Fresh 2015 and Dukes LC
Major lacrosse honors: Starting varsity player as freshman at Downingtown East, Jake Reed Nike Blue Chip Rising Sophomore, 2012 MVP Rider Champions, 2012 Brine Lava Lax Champions, 2012 Crabfeast Champions, 2012 Lax Evolution Games Champions.
Service projects: Volunteer for Good Works and Special Olympics.
What will you major in/study? Business
Why did you choose UNC? “I was very impressed with Coach (Joe) Breschi, Coach (Pat) Myers, and Coach (Chris) Feifs on my visit. They all spoke about being a lacrosse family which is what I was looking for. UNC also has a nice mix of high academics and a rich tradition of lacrosse.”
Other schools considered: Maryland, Penn State, UPenn
What is your HS team’s outlook for next season? “Downingtown East will have great senior leadership this year as well as many talented younger guys coming up. We look forward to another successful year.”
Additional comments: “I would like to thank Coach Breschi, Coach Myers and Coach Feifs along with the entire UNC coaching staff for this opportunity; as well as my coaches at Downingtown East, Coach (Todd) Cliggett, Coach (Peter) Carozza, Coach (Joe) Karpinski, Coach (Ryan) Colley, and Coach (Pat) Cullinan for believing in me.
“A very special thank you to Coach Peter Rohr for his guidance over the last few years along with a thank you to the rest of the Mesa Fresh 2015 coaching staff, including Coach (Mark) Aitken and Coach (Brad) Ament. Thank you to Dukes LC staff of Coach (Ebe) Helm and Coach Jason Christmas along with the Dukes Triple H coaching staff of Coach (Billy) McKinney, Coach (Eric) Gregg and Coach Johnny Christmas.
“I started learning the game of lacrosse at the Lionville Lacrosse Program and would like to thank Coach (Bob) Miller and Coach (Kevin) Goforth for their continued support. I would like to thank Ryan Cranston and Dave Donovan of Lacrosse Evolution for the all the hours spent training with them in the off-season.
“Also a big thank you to my Marsh Creek Football coaches of 7 years Coach (Ed) McNulty, Coach (Bill) Hess and Coach (Gary) Warzecha who taught me to work hard from a young age. Thank you to all my teammates for making me a better lacrosse player.
“I would like to thank my parents for encouraging me since I was young and for the countless hours they put into my lacrosse schedule. Lastly a thank you to my brothers Grant and Will for always being supportive and attending my games and tournaments.”
Maple Zone Sports and Fitness Complex, the official sponsor for Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Recruits, congratulates Jake Peden. Maple Zone, located on Conchester Pike in Boothwyn, offers numerous programs, leagues and instructional activities for boys’ and girls’ lacrosse players and also offers boys’ U13 and U15 travel teams. Click here for registration for the Muck Dawgs travel teams. 
