HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University men’s lacrosse head coach Jon Torpey announced the signing of 12 student-athletes who will compete for HPU beginning in 2015-16. “We believe this class exemplifies every character trait we look for in our student-athletes here at High Point University,” Torpey said. “There is no doubt that this class is compromised of a great balance of skill, toughness and athleticism.” Along with fitting in to the team’s culture, the Panther’s coaching staff also sees versatility in the dozen-man class. “The two things that really stood out to us with this group are the number of multi-sport student-athletes as well as the group’s geographic diversity. Both our staff and our current student-athletes are looking forward to working with these young men and continuing to help in their development on and off the field.” Player capsules are in alphabetical order with biographical information and a quote from coach Torpey about each newcomer. Griff Caligiuri | Defense | Winter Park, Fla. | Lake Highland Prep Caligiuri played three seasons of varsity lacrosse for Chris Spaulding at Lake Highland Prep while also playing forward on the soccer team. He was selected as a Central Florida All-American and brings a winning pedigree after claiming three straight state championships in Florida. “Griff is an extremely competitive student-athlete that plays with an aggressive attacking mentality. His abilities will add strong depth to our defense.” Mike Cropper | Defense | Ridley Park, Pa. | Ridley A four-year defender for head coaches Matt Flynn and Kevin Ellers, Cropper is another talented addition to the HPU defense. Cropper didn’t just play great defense on the lacrosse field, he was also an all-county defensive end on Ridley’s football team. “You recruit out of Ridley to find hardworking, tough kids and Mike is no exception. We are really looking forward to watching him grow as a defensive player.” Quin Eissler | Attack | Henderson, Nev. | Coronado Eissler was a multi-sport athlete at Coronado High School playing four seasons of lacrosse for Chris Eissler and Jason Griggs while also playing defensive back on the football team. He was named 2015 High School Lacrosse All-American and scored over 100 goals in both of his final two seasons of high school. “Quin has an amazing blend of power, quickness and skill. His ability to compete and do all the little things has us really looking forward to what he can bring to our offense.” Michael Fraser | Defense | Arlington, Va. | Bishop Denis J. O’Connell Fraser played four seasons as a long-stick midfielder for head coach Ryan Beck at Bishop Denis J. O’Connell. He compiled 27 goals, 17 assists and 136 ground balls in his career. Meanwhile, Fraser racked up all-conference, all-state and all-metropolitan accolades before earning USA Today All-D.C. honors his senior season. “Mike has proven to be threat in the middle third of the field at the high school level. His aggressiveness on the offensive and defensive side of the ball should really add to our ability to get stronger in the transition and riding game.” Ryan McLaughlin | Midfield | Reston, Va. | Herndon A two-sport star in high school, McLaughlin played four years of varsity lacrosse for head coach Dave Baggetta while also starting for three seasons in football. The versatile athlete played quarterback and linebacker on the football field and has played all over the field in lacrosse while being selected to the all-region team twice. “Ryan really impressed us with his versatility and athleticism. We believe he has the ability to fill a number of different roles on the offensive side of the field.” Brandon Savoie | Midfield | Hoschton, Ga. | Mill Creek Savoie played all over the midfield during his high school career while playing for head coach Bo Adams at Mill Creek. He won over 70 percent of the face-offs he took during his junior and senior season while tallying 18 goals and four assists in the two years. He earned all-state honors as a junior and senior and was named Gwinnett Daily Post Lacrosse Player of the Year in 2015. “Brandon is a very athletic and determined young man who can do just about anything. We are looking forward to watching him develop in all facets of his game.” Jake Schleppy | Midfield | Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. | Jserra Catholic Schleppy played for head coach Kyle Harrison at Jserra Catholic for four seasons. He tallied 45 goals and 25 assists in his senior year while making the President’s Honor Roll in the classroom. Schleppy, who plans to major in Pre-Med, comes from an athletic family. His older brother, Cole, plays lacrosse at Colorado Mesa while his parents were both student-athletes at the University of Pittsburgh. “Jake is an explosive dodging presence in the midfield who is always a threat to make a play both as a scorer and a feeder. We look forward to him being a strong addition to our offense.” Joel Schwarz | Defense | Lake Oswego, Ore. | Lakeridge Schwarz, a three-time high school All-American, spent four seasons playing defense for head coach Curt Sheinin at Lakeridge while also playing linebacker on the school’s football team. He racked up 300 ground balls, 25 goals and 17 assists during his high school career. The defenseman garnered all-state accolades the last three seasons and helped his team to a 2013 state title. “Joel has been one of the top defenseman in Oregon high school lacrosse the last three seasons and we look forward to him bringing his toughness and athleticism to our defense.” John Skinner | Midfielder | Hamilton, Va. | Loudoun Valley The Panthers add depth in the midfield with the addition of Skinner. The Virginian comes to HPU after playing four seasons for head coach Logan Cutshall. Skinner is a do-it-all midfielder that won 78 percent of his face-off attempts and was voted to the all-state team and named Virginia’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2014. “John is a very strong competitor who has really proven his ability to be a dual threat in the midfield as both a face off man and an offensive player. We believe Jon has a really good opportunity to help us in the middle of the field.” Billy Sledge | Midfielder | Manorville, N.Y. | St. Anthony’s Sledge joins the Panthers’ midfield after being named All-Suffolk Country Co-Most Valuable Player in his senior season. He played high school lacrosse for Keith Wieczorek and has helped 12-3 record this season. “Billy is a very balanced player with a very high lacrosse IQ. We believe Billy will develop into a great asset for us on both the offensive and defensive side of the field.” Tim Troutner Jr. | Goalie | Annapolis, Md. | St. Mary’s Troutner, another multi-sport athlete, played three seasons of varsity lacrosse for Ben Rubeor at St. Mary’s. He also played safety in football while being a member of the basketball and wrestling teams in high school. The goalie made 413 saves combined in his junior and senior seasons to earn all-conference honors in 2015. “Timmy is an incredible competitor who seems to be at his very best when the stakes are at their highest. We believe Timmy will make our group of goalies even stronger this season.” Alex Woodall | Face-Off | Annapolis, Md. | St Mary’s Woodall, a USA Today First Team All-American, comes to HPU after manning the face-off spot for St. Mary’s for four seasons. The physical face-off specialist also played linebacker and fullback on the school’s football team. He was named all-conference in three seasons and was honored as Baltimore Player of the Year in 2015 after leading his squad to the MIAA championship. “Alex has established himself as one of the top face off men and transitional players in high school lacrosse. We look forward to him continuing this growth and domination at the Division-I level.”