thanks to Daniel Supraner, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications for this press release   NLI signees will join the Panthers’ roster for the 2016-17 athletic year   MELBOURNE, Fla. (Men’s Lacrosse) – Florida Tech men’s lacrosse has announced the addition of five student-athletes that signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The newest Panthers include three defensemen and two midfielders. Head coach Ryan McAleavey is excited to add another group of highly decorated players to his team. “I’m very excited about the class of 2020,” said McAleavey. “This is a group of young men that we expect to have an immediate impact on our program. We feel that each one of these players fits well into our team unit and will bring a lot to the table. We have definitely upgraded our roster in this early signing period.”   Bryce Johnson Midfield St. Johns College Prep (Ijamsville, Md.) Bryce Johnson is a midfielder from St. John’s College Prep in Maryland. During his first three years as a varsity starter, Johnson has tallied 116 goals and 36 assists. In 2015, he was named First Team All-MIAA, First Team All-Frederick County and First Team All-IPSL. Bryce was also named the St. Johns Male Athlete of the Year by Frederick County. Johnson was named a 2015 Brine All-American and named to the Washington DC Brine NLC Team. He played club lacrosse for Greene Turtle D.C. Johnson was also a standout on the gridiron as a four-year starting quarterback on the varsity football team. He was named the 2015 WFMD/Nymeo Male High School Athlete of the Month for October, as well as selected to 2014 First Team All-Frederick County and First Team All-MIAA. In 2014, Johnson was honored as the 1A Quarterback of the Year and a part of the Quarterback/Wide Receiver Duo of the Year. He earned First Team All-MIAA laurels in 2013 and led his team to a MIAA Championship in 2012 and 2013.   Barazani (Bear) Chiwengo Defense/Long Stick Midfield Franklin High School (Reisterstown, Md.) Barazani Chiwengo is a defenseman from Franklin High School in Reisterstown, Maryland. A three-year member of the varsity lacrosse team, Chiwengo helped the Indians win the 2015 Baltimore County Championship. For his efforts, he was named to the 2015 All-Baltimore County team. Chiwengo played his Club lacrosse for Chesapeake Rock Lacrosse of Maryland.   Thomas Gribben Defense Wando High School (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) Thomas Gribben joins the Panthers by way of Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Gribben has been a starting defenseman for the Warriors since his freshmen season. He has led Wando to three straight state championship games, winning the title in 2013 and 2015. During that time he has averaged 4.3 caused turnovers per game and scooped up 171 groundballs. Gribben was named a US Lacrosse All-American and the South Carolina Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, after being a runner-up for the honor in 2013 and 2014. A team captain, Gribben was recognized as the team’s Defensive MVP in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and selected to First Team All-State and First Team All-Low Country all three years. He played his club lacrosse for the Top Left Loggerheads and the MD Roughriders 2016 Elite team.   Nick Fornadel Defense Calvert Hall College High School (Sykesville, Md.) Nick Fornadel comes to FIT from Calvert Hall in Baltimore, Maryland where he’s been a member of the Cardinals’ varsity team since his sophomore year. Fornadel plays club lacrosse for the Chesapeake Rock and was named an All Star at the Summer Slam, Under Armour Shootout and the FLG in 3D Summer Shootout. He was also a member of the U17 National All-Star Team that played in the Dick’s Sporting Goods National Showcase in Tampa, Florida in January of 2014 and won the Vail Shootout in June of 2014. Fornadel is an active FCA Member and contributor.   Tommy Bowser Midfield York Catholic High School (York, Pa.) Tommy Bowser joins the Panthers from York Catholic High School where enters his fourth season as a varsity starter. In his first three seasons Bowser has accumulated 71 goals and 33 assists and helped his team to the Keystone State Games State Championship. He was named a Brine All-American in 2014 and 2015 and played for the Brine NLC Pennsylvania Team. Bowser plays his club ball for the Chesapeake Rock 2016 Elite Team out of Baltimore, and was named to the Mad-Lax National Team. He was selected to the All-Tournament team at the National 175 Event, UP-Lax, the Lehigh Valley Showcase and the Towson Elite Showcase.   Florida Tech is thrilled to welcome Bryce, Barazani, Thomas, Nick and Tommy to the Panther Family and excited to see all five players don the Crimson and Gray for the 2016-17 season.   Men’s Lacrosse Home: http://www.floridatechsports.com/mlacrosse/   Daniel Supraner Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Florida Tech Athletics 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, Fla. 32901 Work: 321-674-7484 Fax: 321-984-8529