UVA welcomes in 2020 men’s lacrosse recruiting class

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia men’s lacrosse head coach Lars Tiffany welcomes the Virginia men’s lacrosse class of 2024 this fall with 10 talented first-year student-athletes.

“Eager to compete is the understatement of the year,” said Tiffany. “With the absence of their final high school season, these 10 incoming first-year men have much to prove.  Our returners and staff yearn for the opportunity to introduce them to our program and its defining culture, and to witness their impact.”

Joining the Cavaliers this fall are Gable Braun, Bobby Gavin, Mikie Harmeyer, Cole Kastner, Connell Kumar, Russ Maher, Patrick McIntosh, Michael Prestipino, Jack Walshe and Ben Wayer.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each newcomer, along with a quote from each player on why they chose the Hoos:

Gable Braun #40

FO Midfield

6-1, 185

Boca Raton, Fla. • McDonogh School (Md.)

HS Lacrosse Coach: Andy Hilgartner

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Five-year varsity starter … owns school records for most career faceoff wins and faceoff attempts …  All-MIAA and All-Metro (Baltimore) … team captain … Top 100 player … Dean’s List. Wrestling: Wrestled on varsity as a sixth grader at Saint Andrews School Overall: 6 letters.

Parents: Tracey and Jason Braun

Why Virginia?: “Virginia’s prestigious academic and athletic opportunities immediately drew me to the Grounds. When I first arrived on Grounds I was astonished by how beautiful it was and I easily envisioned myself being a student-athlete there. Once Coach Tiffany, Coach Turner and Coach Kirwan introduced me to the team and explained their values within the program, I knew that UVA was the place for me to be.”

Bobby Gavin #48

Goalie

6-0, 185

Laguna Beach, Calif. • Torrey Pines HS

HS Lacrosse Coach: Jonathan Zissi

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Member of Torrey Pines’ 2018 and 2019 CIF championship squads … Under Armour All-America West Team … Adrenaline All-American … San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team. Overall: 4 letters.

Parents: Stacy and John Gavin

Why Virginia?: “In all of my college visits, there was no campus that was more beautiful than UVA. Athletics and academics are among the top in the country. Early on, I was fortunate to have Jason Leneau, a former Cavalier, as my youth coach. His enlightening presence and calm demeanor left an impression on me that UVA must be a very special place.”

Mikie Harmeyer #36

Attack

5-11, 165

Millersville, Md. • Severna Park HS

HS Lacrosse Coach: Dave Earl

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Three-time state champion (2017, 2018, 2019) … first-team all-county and all-metro … US Lacrosse All-American (2019) … Anne Arundel County Player of the Year … first-team all-state … holds school records with 10 goals in a game and 99 goals in a season …  finished career with 136 goals and 20 assists without a senior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Peace Report Lacrosse Blog first-team all-area … Division 4A C. Markland Kelly Award winner in 2019 … named a varsity captain in 2020. Football: Also played slot and safety on the football team. Overall: 6 letters.

Parents: Lynn and Dan Harmeyer

Why Virginia?: “Right when I stepped on Grounds I knew it was my home. After speaking with the men already on the team and the incredible coaching staff, I knew that the University of Virginia was a special place where I would be able to develop on and off the field as a young man. The history, culture and tradition of the school was something that was very intriguing and eye opening to me. I am very excited to get on Grounds and get to work. Go Hoos!”

Cole Kastner #39

Defense

6-7, 215

Palo Alto, Calif. • Menlo School

HS Lacrosse Coach: Blake Kim

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Three-year starter … two-time team captain … first-team All-West Catholic Athletic League … Adrenaline Lacrosse four-star recruit … US Lacrosse All-American. Basketball: Three-year starter in basketball … MVP at the Martin Luther King Jr. Showcase at American Canyon … ten times named the Palo Alto Weekly Honorable Mention Athlete of the Week … all-state second team … led Bay Area with 17 double-doubles as a junior … averaged 17 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and three assists per game as a senior … Norcal Sports TV All-Star game selection … team captain as a senior … MVP of the West Bay Athletic League as a senior. Overall: 7 letters.

Parents: Anne and Eric Kastner

Why Virginia?: “I chose the University of Virginia because it offers a world-class education while allowing me to play lacrosse at the highest level.”

Connell Kumar #50

Midfield

6-3, 190

Lebanon, N.J. • Seton Hall Prep

HS Lacrosse Coach: Ross Turco

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Posted 86 career goals, 27 career assists and 27 career ground balls … 2020 team captain … 2019 US Lacrosse All-American and New Jersey Midfielder of the Year … named first-team all-state in 2019 as well as first-team non-public school, first-team All-Essex County and first team All-Fitch-Pitt Conference … named best midfielder per Paul Rabil’s Project 9 … 2017 Attack MVP at FCA’s “The Pursuit”. Overall: 4 letters.

Parents: Catherine and Jay Kumar

Why Virginia?: “I chose Virginia because of the opportunity to play lacrosse at the highest level and get a great education. I love Coach Tiffany’s culture and felt that I would get along well with the rest of the guys on the team.”

Russ Maher #2

Attack/Midfield

6-1, 195

Mount Sinai, N.Y. • Mount Sinai High School

HS Lacrosse Coach: Harold Drumm

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Five-year varsity letterwinner … named an honorable mention All-American in 2019 … two-time all-county and all-division … listed as the No. 30 recruit in the country by Inside Lacrosse in 2019 … Newsday second-team All-Long Island in 2019 … a Newsday Top 100 player in 2020 … finished career with 133 goals and 39 career assists for 172 career points … Suffolk All-Star in 2017 and 2018 … a 2020 captain. Cross Country: Also took part in cross country for one season, earning second-team all-division. Overall: 6 letters.

Parents: Elizabeth and Daniel Maher

Why Virginia?: “I chose Virginia because I wanted to earn a degree at one of the finest universities in America, while also being a part of the rich lacrosse tradition here in Charlottesville!”

Patrick McIntosh #18

Attack

6-1, 185

Palo Alto, Calif. • Salisbury School (Conn.)

HS Lacrosse Coach: Bobby Wynne

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Earned five letters between time at Palo Alto High School and the Salisbury School … finished high school with 142 career goals and 129 career assists for 271 career points … named the SCVAL offensive MVP and earned both second-team and first-team All-SCVAL honors in his two years at Palo Alto HS … named first-team All-New England and was an Adrenaline All-American at Salisbury. Soccer: Scored three goals and dished out five assists during his four-year soccer career. Overall: 9 letters.

Parents: Becky and Bill McIntosh

Why Virginia?: “I chose Virginia because it felt like home when I was on Grounds. From driving around with Coach Turner to sitting down and talking with Coach Tiffany and Coach Kirwan, it was a gut feeling that just made it feel right. On top of that, who doesn’t want to be given an opportunity, year in a and year out, to compete for a national championship with an amazing team and coaches? This helped make the decision clear.”

Mike Prestipino #15

Defense

5-9, 175

Berwyn, Pa. • Conestoga HS

HS Lacrosse Coach: Brody Bush

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Four-year starter … two-time US Lacrosse All-American … two-time first-team All-EPLCA … two-time first-team All-Central League … helped Conestoga to a semifinalist and finalist finishes in 2018 and 2019, respectively … team defensive MVP and a Under Armour Highlight Division All-American for Team Philadelphia … a 2020 team captain. Football: Earned two letters in football … named the special teams MVP and given the Simmington Award for sportsmanship and team work … earned multiple player of the game award. Overall: 6 letters.

Parents: Tracey and Dale Prestipino

Why Virginia?: “I knew Virginia was the perfect fit for me when I stepped on Grounds in 2016 as an incoming high school freshman. I immediately fell in love with the UVA Grounds. The rich tradition and history of the lacrosse team, Klöckner Stadium, and the top tier academics make Virginia my dream school.”

Jack Walshe #27

Midfield

6-2, 195

Commack, N.Y. • St. Anthony’s HS

HS Lacrosse Coach: Keith Weiczorek

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Listed as the No. 87 recruit in the country by Inside Lacrosse … helped lead St. Anthony’s to the 2019 NYSCHSA state championship … member of the 2020 U19 Ireland National Team … Under Armour Underclassman Team for Long Island in 2017. Basketball: Member of the 2020 NYSCHSA league championship team as a guard. Overall: 4 letters.

Parents: Emily and Brian Walshe

Why Virginia?: “Virginia offers a great athletic opportunity while providing the best possible education. The culture and comradery that the players and coaches put forward was very intriguing and something I wanted to be a part of while competing for a National Championship at the highest level.”

Ben Wayer #45

LSM

6-3, 205

Alexandria, Va. • St. Stephens & St. Agnes

HS Lacrosse Coach: Tim Dodds

Secondary School Background

Lacrosse: Four-year starter … part of two state championship teams and a member of the 2019 IAC runner-up team … a three-time all-state and All-IAC honoree … a three-time Under Armour Underclass team member … named second-team All-Met from the Washington Post in 2019 and honorable mention in 2018. Basketball: Member of the 2020 IAC championship team and 2020 state runner-up squad that went 30-4. Football: Two year starter as a defensive end. Soccer: Two year starter as a forward. Overall: 9 letters.

Parents: Ellen and Kevin Wayer

Why Virginia?: “My Dad would always take me to see at least one UVA lacrosse game at Klöckner Stadium every year. He got my brother and I UVA lacrosse jerseys to wear to the 2011 national championship game in Baltimore. Ever since then I thought that it would be awesome to play lacrosse at UVA and get to play in front of that many fans. UVA is also close to home, which is exciting because my family and brothers will be able to come to see me play.”