(Posted May 29, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College Head Football Coach Darrell Alt has announced that the following 40 high school student-athletes have committed to attend Juniata College and compete for the Eagle football team beginning with the 2008 season.

The class includes 10 players with experience on the offensive line, 11 with experience on the defensive line, and 10 who have played at defensive back.

"We're incredibly excited about this group of young men who have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers at Juniata College. I believe this class represents a quality addition to our group of returnees," said Alt. "Recruiting this class was a group effort, from our assistant coaches in identifying these young men, to our current players in meeting them and serving as ambassadors during their visits here on campus," added Alt.

"Finally, I would like to thank the faculty who met with these prospective student-athletes during their visits to campus, as well as the members of the admissions team who assisted us throughout the process. Success on the field begins with success in recruiting, and that requires the effort of many individuals across the entire campus. On behalf of my entire staff, I want to thank everyone who assisted in bringing this class of young men to Juniata College," said Alt.

The following is a list (in alphabetical order) of incoming freshmen student-athletes for 2008; additional commitments may be announced at a later date.

Patrick Bish
P/PK, Baltimore, Md./C. Milton Wright HS

A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at various positions for coach Rick Keech at C. Milton Wright HS... earned All-County honors as a punter during his junior and senior seasons... selected Juniata College over Susquehanna University and Lebanon Valley College... son of Joseph, Jr., and Diane Bish.

Brenton Bobal
OL, Bel-Air, Md./C. Milton Wright HS

An imposing force on the C. Milton Wright offensive line. Brenton was a three-year starter for coach Rick Keech... according to Coach Keech, his greatest strengths is his run blocking ability... chose Juniata over Salisbury University... son of Jackie Bobal.

Dominic Bornman
WR/LB, Mechanicsburg, Pa./ Cumberland Valley HS

Four-year letterwinner for legendary coach Tim Rimpfel at Cumberland Valley HS... active in local community service, including participating in the Lebanon County ARC New Year's Day Polar Bear Jump for the last seven years, and assisting with Special Olympics... plans to pursue a degree in information technology or business... chose Juniata over Lebanon Valley and Saint Vincent... son of Ty and Michele Bornman.

Zane Bussard
RB, Saxton, Pa./Tussey Mountain HS

Three-year starter as a running back and kick returner for coach Kevin Steele at Tussey Mountain HS... Inter-County Conference All-Star... Tussey Mountain's leading rusher in 2006 with 854 yards... a National Honor Society member and listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students... also started for three seasons on the Tussey Mountain wrestling team (160-pound weight class), and was a four-year competitor in the 100m dash for the track team... son of Melissa Wright.

Evan Cleary
RB/DB, State College, Pa./State College Area HS

Played for legendary coach Al Wolski at State College Area HS... a two-time letterwinner for one of the premier programs in the state... selected Juniata over St. Vincent College... planning on pursuing a degree in business... son of Regis and Katherine Cleary.

Tyler Cogan
DL, Martinsburg, Pa./Northern Bedford HS

Three-year letterwinner as a linebacker, defensive lineman, and fullback at Northern Bedford HS for coach Dan Foor... two-time ICC First team All-Star... two-time Bedford Gazette First team All-Star... earned Second team All-Star defensive lineman honors from the Altoona Mirror... member of the National Honor Society... son of Jeff and Susan Cogan.

Stephen Cohn
WR/DB, Haddonfield, N.J./ Haddonfield HS

Three year letter winner for coach Frank Delano... leading receiver on a very successful high school team... key kick returner on special teams... excelled on the high school track team as a sprinter... will pursue a degree in environmental studies/biology... son of Richard and Nancy Cohn.

Tucker Conklin
DB, Sycamore, Pa./West Greene HS

Four-year letterwinner at the quarterback and defensive back positions at West Greene HS for coach Charles Harris... earned All-Conference honors during his junior and senior seasons... a Washington (Pa.) Observer Reporter All-District selection... member of the National Honor Society... selected Juniata College over Washington & Jefferson, Westminster, Allegheny, Gettysburg, and St. Vincent... will attend Juniata on the Calvert Ellis Scholarship... son of Douglas and Joyce Conklin.

Edward Cooney
DB, Queens, N.Y./St. Francis Prep

Cooney was a two year starter as a strong safety for St. Francis Prep, which finished second in the New York City Catholic League in 2007... earned Second team All-Queens Borough honors during his senior campaign for the Terriers... son of Edward and Marianne Cooney.

Tyler Cottle
DB, Everett, Pa./Northern Bedford HS

Three-year starter for coach Dan Foor at Northern Bedford HS, seeing time at the quarterback, defensive back, and wide receiver positions... two-time Honorable mention All-Inter-County Conference selection, and twice named an Honorable mention Bedford County All-Star... received Northern Bedford's Dale Batzel Memorial Student Athlete Award this spring... also lettered in basketball, baseball, and track in high school, earning Outstanding Track Athlete honors in 2007, and leading the the basketball team in assists... National Honor Society member... son of Thomas and Melissa Cottle.

Kyle Cullen
RB/LB, Pittsgrove N.J./Arthur P. Schalick HS

Two time all tri-county performer as a running back and linebacker for Coach Seth Brown... Brooks Irvine Club athlete of the week... South Jersey TD Club Athlete of the week... very successful Wrestler as a second sport... 3.9 GPA with plans to major in the Business field... son of Karen and Mike Cullen.

Lance Curry
WR/DB, Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area HS

Three-year starter as a wide receiver and defensive back for coach Christopher Pope at Palmyra Area HS... earned Second team All-State (AAA) defensive back honors from Pennsylvania Football News... a three-time selection as an All-County defensive back, and a two-time honoree as a wide receiver... also competed for Palmyra's track team as a sprinter during his first three years in high school... son of Carl and Stephanie Curry.

Brian Dunleavy
QB, Coal Township, Pa./ Our Lady of Lourdes High School

An All-Conference performer as a quarterback for Coach Mike Klembara... had a very effective quarterback to wide receiver tandem with friend Chris Johnson... a successful career on the basketball court as a second sport... 3.5 GPA with plans to study in the accounting or business field... son of Connie and Steve Dunleavy.

Bryan English
OL/DL, South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport HS

A three-year starter at South Williamsport HS for coach Christopher Luck... a three-time First team All-Conference offensive lineman in the Northern Tier League, earning Northern Tier Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2007... named to the Honorable mention All-District IV team... son of Lee and Joan English.

Dan Fenton
WR, Johnstown, Pa./Richland HS

Two-year starter as a wide receiver and defensive back at Richland HS for coach Brandon Bailey... two-time Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference All-Conference team... two-time First team All-Area wide receiver... also a member of the Richland baseball (centerfielder) and track (sprinter) teams... son on Tom Fenton and Vicki Naugle.

Nathan Hargrove
DL, Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley

Four-year letterwinner as a defensive tackle and nose guard for coach Doug Paul at Berlin Brothersvalley HS, and for coach Jeff Priestly at Thornton HS in Colorado... an Academic All-Conference selection... son of Bryan Hargrove and Kelly Tino.

John Hill III
OL, Pennington, N.J./The Hun School of Princeton

Two-year letterwinner and senior starter at The Hun School for coach Dave Dudeck... earned Newark Star-Ledger Second team All-Prep Offense honors as a senior, and was a Third team honoree during his junior season... NJSIAA All-Prep First team Offense selection... selected Juniata College over Columbia University and Princeton University... son of John, II, and Gayle Hill.

Aaron Jackson
OL/TE/DL, Harrisburg, Pa./ Susquehanna Twp. HS

Two-time letterwinner for coach Joe Headen at Susquehanna Township HS, where he anchored the offensive line... participated in basketball and track and field... plans to major in math... chose Juniata over Susquehanna and Alfred... son of Charles Jackson and Debra Cohen.

Andrew Johnson
OL, Pittsgrove, N.J./Arthur P. Shalick HS

Four-year letterwinner on both the offensive and defensive line for coach Seth Brown at Shalick HS... received high school Scholar-Athlete Award from National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame... a Second team All-Tri County Conference selection as an offensive tackle... son of Mary Jane Johnson.

Nick Krempasanka
OL, Hereford, Md./Hereford HS

Started on the offensive line during his senior season at Hereford HS playing for coach Steve Turnbaugh... part of an offensive line that blocked for the top rushing offense in Maryland last season... led Hereford to the championship game of the Maryland Class 3A football playoffs... son of Edward and Marcia Krempasanka.

Mike Lackey
DL, Towson, Md./Calvert Hall

Three-year letterwinner for coach Donald Davis at Calvert Hall... also competed in wrestling... member of the National Latin Honor Society and active in Calvert Hall's FCA... volunteered at the Pickersgill Retirement Community, and was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer... chose Juniata over Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson, Gettysburg, and Randolph-Macon... son of Linda McIntyre Lackey.

Jason Marquis
DL, Jeannette, Pa./Jeannette HS

Four-year starter on the offensive and defensive line for coach Ray Reitz at Jeannette HS... Associated Press First team All-State (AA) honors as a senior... two-time First team All-Conference selection... two-time selection to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Terrific 25 team... recorded 77 total tackles during his senior campaign at Jeannette... on offense, was part of an offensive line unit that helped Jeannette break the state scoring record of 860 points in a single season, on its way to a 16-0 record and the PIAA Class AA state championship... also lettered in wrestling and track and field at Jeannette... son on Debbie Marquis and Nick Marquis (deceased).

Andrew Masullo
PK/CB, Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte Area HS

Two-year starter as a kicker and defensive back at Bellefonte Area HS, first for coach Tom Gravish and then for Zachary Wynkoop... First team All-State placekicker this past season... earned First team All-Conference honors as a placekicker as a senior, and was a Second team All-Conference selection as a defensive back... a First team All-Conference defensive back during his junior season... a two-year starter as a catcher and outfielder on the Bellefonte baseball team... also active in a variety of student organizations, including student government, ski club, and the variety show... selected Juniata College over Grove City, Westminster, Thiel, Lebanon Valley, St. Francis University, and Shippensburg University... son of Patrick and Carol Masullo.

Abram Mellinger
WR, Ronks, Pa./Lampeter Strasburg HS

Three-year letterwinner and two-year starter as a wide receiver and defensive back for coach John Manion at Lampeter Strasburg HS... earned his team's "Hustle Player of the Year" Award in 2007... also competed in track and field at Lampeter Strasburg, and held the school freshman record in the 100m... selected Juniata College over Susquehanna University, Lebanon Valley College, and Grove City College... son of Andrew and Mary Mellinger.

Jesse Newlen
OL/DL, Renovo, Pa./Bucktail HS

A First Team all conference performer as a center for Coach Bruce Ransom... a two way starter as a center and defensive tackle... very successful career as a wrestler for Coach Ransom as well... has plans to major in the engineering field... son of Santina and Jesse Newlen.

Owen Phillips
PK/K, West Chester, Pa./Downingtown West HS

A kicker and punter for a very successful Downingtown West program under Coach Mike Milano... has worked with Jeff Dinnocenti's Kicking Connection over the past few years... a member of the Downingtown West soccer team that lost in the state finals in overtime... also a member of the lacrosse team... plans on studying chemistry or environmental science... son of Martha and David Phillips.

Brian Pugh
QB, Valley Stream, N.Y./Holy Cross High School

Pugh was the starting quarterback this past season for a Holy Cross team that finished fourth in the New York City Catholic League... named League Player of the Week in the Knights' 47-27 win over Kellenberg Memorial, after he passed for 251 yards and four touchdowns... selected Juniata College over the University at Albany... son of Doreen and Tom Pugh.

Willie Reich
OL, Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson HS

Three-year starter at the left tackle position at Gov. Thomas Johnson HS for coach Ben Wright... Honorable mention All-MVAL... a Second team All-County honoree... earned his school's "Most Improved Lineman Award" for this past season, and was the "Unsung Hero Award" recipient following his junior season... a Maryland Distinguished Scholar, and National Honor Society member... selected Juniata College over St. Vincent, Wagner, Bridgewater, and Albright... son of Gregory and Liz Reich.

Bryce Rigg
OL/DL, Bellefonte, Pa./ Bellefonte HS

A First team All-Conference guard as a junior and senior... earned First team Defensive Linemen honors as a senior for Coach Zac Wynkoop... plans on coming to Juniata College in the exploratory field... chose Juniata College over Grove City... son of Nicole and William Rigg.

Chris Rodgers
DL, Mar Lin, Pa./Pottsville HS

Was hampered by injuries during his senior season at Pottsville HS, and will be playing defensive end at Juniata... plans on studying Justice Studies at Juniata College.

Eric Ryman
WR/DB, Danville, Pa./Danville HS

A very integral part of Danville's effective passing offense under Coach Jeremy Winn... a well-rounded wide receiver that catches the ball and is tough... also a member of the basketball team and track team... plans on studying in the science field... son of Teresa and Wayne Ryman.

Brett Shippey
DL, Bedford, Pa./Bedford

Three-year starter at the defensive tackle and offensive guard positions for coach Wes Swaim at Bedford HS... Southern Alleghenies Football Coaches Association Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2007... Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference All-Conference selection... Western Pennsylvania Scholar Athlete... two-time selection to the Bedford Gazette "Terrific 33" All-Star team... National Honor Society member... named in Who's Who Among American High School Students... son of Barry and Sandra Shippey.

Tyler Thomas
PK, Coalport, Pa./Glendale HS

Three-year starter for coach Rick Kuzak as a kicker and quarterback at Glendale HS... named Western Pennsylvania Scholar-Athlete, and received National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame high school Scholar-Athlete Award... National Honor Society member... son of William and Tilda Thomas.

Nicholas Trask
OL, Coplay, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic HS

Starter on the offensive and defensive lines for coach Tarik Haddad during his senior season at Bethlehem Catholic... National Honor Society member... selected Juniata College over Grove City College... son of Stephen and Angela Trask.

Alan Walker
LB/DB, Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown HS

Four-year letterwinner at linebacker and fullback at North Hagerstown HS for coach Dan Cunningham... Second team All-Piedmont Conference at linebacker as a senior... All-Washington County linebacker as both a senior (2007) and junior (2006)... also lettered in lacrosse for two seasons... national powerlifting champion in 2007 for U-18, 148-pound weight class, and is nationally ranked in the top 10 in the bench, squad, dead lift, and total... selected Juniata College over McDaniel College and Shenandoah University... son of Barry and Nancy Walker.

David Weiss
DL, Middletown, Md./Middletown HS

Four-year letterwinner at nose guard for Middletown HS and coach Lowne Ridenow... an All-Area selection... named to Metro Team for the Baltimore Touchdown Club's Senior All-Star Game... named a team captain during his senior season... also lettered in lacrosse for three seasons... son of Dave and Nancy Weiss.

James White
QB, Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson HS

Moved from running back to quarterback during his senior season at Gov. Thomas Johnson HS, playing for coach Ben Wright... helped lead Thomas Johnson into the semifinals of the Maryland Class 4A football playoffs... also participated in track and field... selected Juniata College over Moravian... son of James White and Leigh Cronin.

Erick Wilson
PK, Pittsgrove, N.J./Arthur P. Shalick HS

Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter as a kicker and safety at Shalick HS for coach Seth Brown... All-Tri-County placekicker as a junior and senior... member of the National Honor Society... a four-year letterwinner on the Shalick HS wrestling team at the 119 and 125-pound weight classes... was team captain of both squads as a senior... son of Chuck and Joann Wilson.

Dan Zentz
RB/PK/P, Lutherville, Md./Calvert Hall

Three-year starter at Calvert Hall for coaches Donald Davis and Jay Robinson... MIAA First team All-Star running back during both his junior and senior seasons... named to Metro team in Baltimore Touchdown Club Senior All-Star Game... selected Juniata College over Catholic University, Shippensburg University, Lebanon Valley, Albright, and King's College... son of Richard and Bonnie Zentz.

Abram Zoschg
RB/DB, Emporium, Pa./Cameron County HS

A three-year starter and letterwinner as a running back and safety for coach Tony Defilippi at Cameron County HS... two-time North AML All-Star... son of Stephen and Laura Zoschg.

-30-

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.