Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/9/19
From Press Release
For the past two seasons, the University of Delaware men’s lacrosse team has focused on putting on their hard hats and building the foundation of something special.
This fall, the Blue Hens will look to build on top of that foundation with 11 newcomers joining a program that reached back-to-back CAA Semifinals for the first time in eight years.
Coming to Newark this fall will be defenders Collin Hurley (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin), Rich Dion (Annapolis, Md./McDonogh School), Tate Wasson (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra) and Josh Bayer (La Plata, Md./La Plata), midfielders Roland Hockenbery (Middletown, Md./Middletown), Harrison Ewing (Frederick, Md./Calvert Hall), Jake DeMare (Naperville, Ill./Culver Military Academy) and Reed Kurtz (Puslinch, Ontario/Bishop Macdonell), attack Tommy Bloom (Newark, Del./Sanford) and Mike Robinson (Peterborough, Ontario/Culver Military Academy), along with goalie John Wright (Keene, N.H./The Hill Academy).
“Our coaching staff is extremely pleased to welcome these eleven young men to the University of Delaware’s Class of 2023,” Head Coach Ben DeLucasaid. “They have a lot of work to do as they transition to the college game, but we believe this group will be incredibly impactful for our program. Together they will bring toughness, speed, skill, and athletic IQ to the lacrosse field. More importantly, their character, competitiveness and work ethic will enhance our program off of the field. We are excited to welcome these young men and their families into the Fightin’ Blue Hen Lacrosse program.
Tommy Bloom – 5’7″, 160 – Attack – Newark, Del./Sanford School
One of the most prolific scorers in Delaware high school history, Bloom brings a star-studded resume to the Blue Hens. The Newark, Del. native played five years of varsity soccer and lacrosse at Sanford, after making both teams as an eighth grader. In his five seasons, he piled up 219 goals, 130 assists for 349 points, all three are school and Delaware high school records. He was a four-time All-Conference and two-time All-State Honoree. For his 52 goals and 26 assists as a senior, Bloom earned US Lacrosse All-American accolades and twice was an All-Phillylacrosse.com Delaware pick. He was also a three-year captain of the lacrosse team.
Collin Hurley – 5’10”, 170 – Defense – West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin
Hurley brings a tough, athletic defender mentality to the Blue Hens after playing three sports at Bayard Rustin. He was a four-year member of the lacrosse and wrestling teams, as well three years with the football team. His leadership was evident by serving as a two-year captain for all three programs. He was an All-State honoree for wrestling, and All-Ches-Mont League First Team and All-Phillylacrosse.com Third Team in lacrosse.
Tate Wasson – 6’1”, 200 – Defense – Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra
Wasson brings a physical, tough defender to the Blue Hens after a two-sport standout career at Palmyra. He was All-Conference and All-State three times, and earned USA Lacrosse All-American honors as a junior and was a two-time All-Phillylacrosse.com Central PA choice. He was a two-time team captain of both the hockey and lacrosse teams. During his four seasons, Wasson and his teammates compiled a 77-14 ledger, three Keystone Championships, three Mid-Penn Championships and two District Championships.
Josh Bayer – 5’10”, 165 – Defense – La Plata, Md./La Plata High School
Bayer was a standout at La Plata for four seasons, earning All-Conference honors every year and as a senior was named Conference Player of the Year and a US Lacrosse All-American. In his four years, Bayer grabbed over 300 ground balls, caused 136 turnovers and scored 33 goals. La Plata won four consecutive Division Championships during Bayer’s career, which also included all-conference career with the football team and a year with the indoor track team.
Jake DeMare – 5’9″, 150 – Midfield – Naperville, Ill./Culver Military Academy
Teammates with incoming freshman Mike Robinson, DeMare was a midfielder at Culver, where the program won two national championships, including a 20-1 senior season in which the team was ranked #1 in the country. DeMare was also a member of the U17 Israeli National team.
Rich Dion – 6’1″, 165 – Defense – Annapolis, Md./McDonogh School
Dion was a two-sport standout at McDonogh, helping the Eagles to conference championships in both lacrosse and football during his career. On the lacrosse field, he was a three-year starter at the LSM spot, helping the team to 58 wins over four seasons, including a 20-1 season in 2016 where they won the conference and national championships. Dion’s uncle, Ed Brady, played lacrosse for the Blue Hens, graduating in 1989.
Harrison Ewing – 5’10”, 175 – Midfield – Frederick, Md./Calvert Hall High School
Ewing comes to Delaware from one of the winningest programs in the state of Maryland. He was a three-year varsity player at Calvert Hall, where the team compiled 52-6 redcord and three consecutive MIAA Conference Championships. He earned All-Country accolades at the midfield spot and also played a year of basketball.
Roland Hockenbery – 5’7″, 170 – Midfield– Middletown, Md./Middletown High School
Hockenbery was a three-time All-Area honoree, a three-time All-Conference honoree and a US Lacrosse All-American at Middletown, Md. at the face-off spot. As a three-year starter, he won 76-percent of his faceoffs, while scoring 70 goals and piling up 35 assists. He also played four years of football, twice earning All-Area accolades.
Reed Kurtz – 5’10”, 200 – Midfield – Puslinch, Ontario/Bishop Macdonell Secondary
Just a year after his brother took home CAA Rookie of the Year accolades, Kurtz joins the family and will add an incredibly talented and physical midfielder to the Blue Hens. He was a four-year member of Bishop Macdonell’s hockey team, earning a spot in the CWOSSA semifinals in 2018. He was drafted first overall in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior A Lacrosse League in 2018 and was a captain for both Team Ontario and Team Canada in 2017.
Mike Robinson – 5’10”, 170 – Attack – Peterborough, Ontario/Culver Military Academy
In three seasons at Culver, Robinson terrorized opponent’s defenses, scoring 138 goals, along with 75 assists. He was a three-year starter and team captain for his senior season. While at Culver, Robinson and his teammates won three USA Today National Prep Championships and piled up a 61-5 record.
John Wright – 5’11”, 175 – Goalie – Keene, N.H./The Hill Academy
Wright brings an athletic frame to the net after playing three sports during his high school career, including four years of lacrosse, three years of football and two years of wrestling. On the lacrosse field, Wright was a four-year starter and two-year captain, while earning All-State and All-League accolades. He was named a team defensive MVP on two occasions as well. Wright was also a captain of the football team, where he earned All-conference honors.