Rye rising senior Cole McCormack, one of
the top all-around players in the state,
is bound for NCAA finalist Cornell.
(File photo by Jim Stout/MaxPreps.com)
One of the top rising seniors in the state, Rye midfielder Cole McCormack, just informed me that he has given a verbal commitment to attend 2009 NCAA Division I finalist Cornell.
Few high school players excel in the two key parts of the posssession game groundballs and faceoffs more than McCormack.
So perhaps its appropriate that McCormacks college destination is a college program that excelled in both areas en route to its appearance in this past seasons NCAA Division I championship game a 10-9 overtime loss to Syracuse.
Though he is also adept offensively, McCormack is fully aware his role at Cornell may be to specialize in groundballs and faceoffs.
At Cornell, I would like to be a two-way middie, but I know Ill need to work hard to do that, he said. What ever they need me to do to help win Ill do.
McCormacks groundball and faceoff skills caught the attention of college recruiters following his sophomore season in the spring and summer of last year. He had 13 groundballs and won nine of 13 faceoffs in a 7-1 loss to Mount Sinai in the 2008 Class C state semifinals. Then, during the subsequent Empire State Games, he had 26 groundballs and went 63-34 on faceoffs and in Hudson Valleys run to a bronze medal.
But McCormacks familiarity with Cornell started even before that.
I went up to Cornell for a summer camp as a freshman and I loved it since then, he said. This past year I went up to Cornell on their junior recruiting day and I loved it just as much as freshman year.
McCormack also made unofficial visits to Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Yale, Lehigh, Hofstra, Colgate, Drexel and Penn.
I was so fortunate to visit so many amazing colleges, he said. There really was no short list. All of the coaches I met and talked to were so helpful and nice to me and my family.
With his college decision now set, McCormack can prepare for football season and try to help Rye win what could be a fourth straight state title.
When I was younger, I always dreamed of playing football at Florida State, but I realized that was not happening, he said. I was recruited more in lacrosse and saw more of an opportunity there.
Football has helped me so much with lacrosse. It has helped my vision of the field and just becoming a better athlete. If I could give anyone any advice, it would be play as many sports as long as you can. It will only help you be a better athlete.
For more on Cole McCormack, check his recruit profile by clicking here.
Be sure to e-mail me with news/info on any college commitments at joe@laxlessons.com.
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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown
This is HUGE news. Awesome, Cole! Great job getting the scoop on this Joe!
I see all these kids from Rye committing places… good for the individuals, but they should be embarrassed that they couldn’t beat Putnam. Please…
Congrats Cole!!
As much as you’re a great lacrosse and football player, more importantly you’re a good, caring kid and a leader to boot which will serve you and the people you come in contact with well, both on and off the field!
Congratulatons, Cole ! Great choice. I wish you the very best in all you do, both on the field and off. Good luck your senior year at Rye, and in the future with the Big Red !
Congrats to Cole , some of the quickest hands i’ve seen at the Face …..Lilaxer …i guess there are alot of embarssed teams out there..by the look of Putnam scores this year..some where taken out back to the shed …ouch ! that hurts ..Good luck Cole the hard work has paid off. Enjoy
Cole definately played his way onto a bigtime program after he won like 9 of 12 FOs and had like 13 GBs in state semis vs. Mt. Sinai last year. He clinched the that summer at Emps.
Thank you Terry and slacrosse for the kind words about Cole. He’s really excited about his commitment to Cornell. Terry, congratulations to Ethan and best of luck to him at Marist.
congrats cole, Joe what about Okie Benarbo of Mahopac off to CW post?
Top Corner –
I actually talked to Okie this afternoon about his commitment to the Division II national champions. We will be posting a Q&A with him coming up. So keep an eye out for that.
Welcome to the Cornell family, Cole. Based on Joe’s reporting you sound like you will be an excellent addition to the program.
Congrats Cole. It was great to meet you & your parents on the recruting circuit in the fall. I know that Andrew enjoyed getting to know you know better @ Brine with the Sting. And after watching you play, I understand why Cornell is excited to have you! Best of luck.
Thanks Michael. It was nice meeting you on the recruiting circuit as well and good luck to Andrew at Bucknell. Hopefully our paths will cross down the road with the boys playing at the next level. Congratulations again!
Mr. McCormack,
congratulations. Its truly an accomplishment your whole family should be proud of. speaks volumes to the quality family that he comes from. good luck cole.
Chris Jackson