via the Launch press release   With the start of the season on the horizon, the Florida Launch started their championship chase early at the 2018 MLL Collegiate Draft with the addition of eight players to the Launch squad. With the seventh overall pick, the Launch started off the evening by selecting Rutgers attackman Jules Heningburg. The overall goals (32), assists (29), and points (61) leader this season for the Scarlet Knights, the two-time team captain joins an all-star offensive group that put up a combined 143 points last season. A current Tewaaraton Award hopeful, Heningburg ranks eighth all-time in goals (112) and fourth all-time in points (196) at Rutgers. Boasting two Big Ten Player to Watch nominations, a Big 10 First Team honor, and two ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 appearances, Heningburg’s goal scoring prowess strengthens an already powerful firing squad consisting of attackman Kieran McArdle, midfielder Connor Buczek, and attackman Dylan Molloy. Solidifying the midfield, the Launch selected Yale’s Tyler Warner with the eleventh overall pick. A critical player in the transition for the Bulldogs, Warner picked up a NEILA First Team nomination, Inside Lacrosse All-American honorable mention, and USILA/Nike All-American honorable mention for his performance in 2017. Warner brings a versatile playing style to the Launch’s midfield, starting at the X for Yale in 2017 and consistently serving as a key player in the clear. Joining fellow teammate and captain Heningburg, Michael Rexrode joins the Launch defense as the sixteenth overall pick. A leader on the defense, Rexrode ranks second for the Scarlet Knights in caused turnovers (9) this season. Picking up Inside LacrossePreseason First Team All-American and All Conference to start off his senior campaign, Rexrode’s strength on defense puts him alongside powerhouses such as veterans P.T. Ricci, Tucker Durkin, and Alec Tulett. With the third, fourth, and fifth round picks, the Launch continued their defensive depth procurement with Brown defenseman Jake Miller, Hofstra goalie Jack Concannon, and Mercyhurst defenseman Greg Weyl. Miller, a 2018 captain, collected 25 groundballs and put up the most points by a defenseman (7) this year for the Brown Bears. Joining former Brown teammate Tulett, Miller will provide additional support in front of the cage this season. Concannon, one of three captains for the Hofstra Pride, boasts a .570 save percentage this season as well as 2018 Inside LacrosseFace-off Yearbook Preseason All-American honors. Weyl, alongside Durkin, brings strength to the defensive lineup, leading the Mercyhurst team in both caused turnovers (34) and groundballs (41) this season. In the sixth round, the Launch selected Ryan Beville, a midfielder from Jacksonville University. A 2018 captain for the Dolphins, Beville ranks second on the team in groundballs (34). With the final pick, the Launch finalized their defensive development with Yale’s Jerry O’Connor. A native of North Palm Beach, O’Connor returns to the Sunshine State ranked second at Yale in caused turnovers (10). The Launch kick off the 2018 season this Sunday, April 22 against the Atlanta Blaze at 2 p.m.