The newly launched Division I program at Michigan enjoyed a breakthrough recruiting weekend, securing its first-ever verbal commitments from sophomores in the nation’s No. 1 hotbed for lacrosse, the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region.
Both were reported in real time on Twitter.com/joe_lombardi, starting with Pingry School (N.J.) midfielder JC Sorenson’s decision. That was followed by Greenwich (Conn.) attackman Decker Curran’s verbal to the Wolverines.
We’ll hear from both players on their big decisions, starting with Sorenson.
Considering he is just a 10th-grader and has already decided where he will be playing his college lacrosse, you might think Sorenson has been playing the sport a lot longer than he actually has.
“I started out playing baseball and didn’t switch to lacrosse until fifth grade,” said the sophomore midfielder at the Pingry School (N.J.).
Five years later, Sorenson became a target recruit of many of the nation’s top programs. This past weekend, he decided on one of them — the University of Michigan.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-hander, the first member of his family to play lacrosse, has exceptional stick skills to go along with good size and speed. He is also an outstanding athlete. In addition to lacrosse, he plays football and basketball and also skis.
Pingry, which is guided by longtime coach and former Johns Hopkins player Mike Webster, competes in the Skyland Conference, which includes two-time New Jersey Tournament of Champions winner Bridgewater-Raritan.
“We also played tough competition such as Moorestown, Immaculata, Montclair Kimberley and Somerville,” Sorenson said.
Michigan, of course, completed its first season at the Division I level this past year.
Now, here’s a Q&A with JC on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
First and foremost, Michigan is one of the top academic universities in the country. I really wanted to go to a big school with great traditions and a history of sports excellence. The main factors in my decision were the college experience in Ann Arbor and the opportunity to be part of a new lacrosse program that’s destined for success.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I was also seriously considering Dartmouth, Harvard, UNC, Duke, Georgetown and Yale. This fall, I visited Dartmouth, UNC, Duke and Georgetown – and of course, Michigan.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
I would say my greatest strength is my speed and my lacrosse IQ. I love to play fast. I would say my style of play is based on pushing transition and creating on the run.
What areas of your game have you been working to improve on?
As a righty, I’m always working on my left hand. I have also been working a lot on my outside shooting and my defensive fundamentals.
What travel team did you play on and what were some of the big showcase events you participated in last summer?
I play for Leading Edge 2015. Last summer, I attended Jake Reed’s Nike Blue Chip and Blue Chip 225.
Who have been some of the biggest influences on you during your development as a player?
In the past year, my biggest influences have been my (Pingry School) coach, Mike Webster, and my Leading Edge club coach, Chris Roy.
I got my start with the Ridgewood Lacrosse Association. My parents have been extremely supportive and helped me tremendously throughout this whole process.
* For more info on JC, check out his player profile by clicking here.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Email us at info@laxlessons.com.
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* 2012 Fall Signing Week story/photo archive
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* Class of 2012 commitment rundown
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Posted In: New Jersey lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown
