When it comes to supplying Johns Hopkins with standout players, and more specifically, defensemen, Yorktown High School has a proud tradition.
It includes names such as Brian Kuczma, Rob Doerr and Chris Watson.
That pipeline began, though, when another former Yorktown all-American, Bill Dwan, joined the Blue Jays after graduating from Yorktown in 1987.
Dwan is now associate head coach at Hopkins, which will be looking forward to the arrival of another talented Yorktown defenseman.
But they’ll have to wait a few years.
Trevor Koelsch, one of the top sophomores in the region, has given a verbal commitment to attend Hopkins.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Koelsch, who has good size and athleticism, began gaining notice from Division I coaches last year, while making his mark on the Husker varsity as a freshman.
After a strong summer season, he became a priority recruit of several of the nation’s premier programs.
He will join a Hopkins team where former Huskers John Ranagan and Kevin Interlicchio are now playing. (Ranagan is a sophomore midfielder. Interlicchio is a freshman attackman.)
Now, here are Trevor’s thoughts on his commitment:
What were the main factors in your decision to commit to Hopkins?
The academics and winning history, along with the opportunity to compete for a D-I championship every year. The strong tradition and family feeling for the players and alumni at Hopkins seem very similar to Yorktown’s, which I have always liked being part of.
There is a strong connection between Yorktown and Hopkins lacrosse created by the long line of Yorktown players who went on to star for Hopkins, especially the many defensemen like Chris Watson and Coach Doerr. All those Yorktown players paved the way for me to get the opportunity to play there.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I also considered Princeton, Syracuse and Cornell. I visited Princeton and had an invitation to visit Syracuse.
What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
At this point, I am working to improve all aspects of my game so I can help Yorktown compete for a sectional and state title this upcoming season. Strength and foot speed are two of my main focuses right now. I have been working out a lot and doing speed training at the Club Fit Parisi Speed School. Getting quicker and stronger will allow me to throw more frequent and harder checks.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My greatest strengths right now are my ability to help the defense work as a unit and playing position defense. I hope to use these skills and be a stronger leader on defense this spring to help put us in position to compete for a state championship.
What players have you looked up to as you have moved up through the varsity ranks?
I have looked up to my older brother Derek (now a freshman goaltender at Trinity College) on and off the lacrosse field throughout my life. He taught me lacrosse from a young age and was always a great role model on the field and in the classroom. He and his friends taught me the importance of putting the team first and working hard in the offseason. Stephen Burke did a lot to help me feel comfortable on the field as a freshman and I looked up to him for his greasy stick work and checks.
When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
I started receiving questionnaires the start of this school year from coaches who saw me play over the summer for the Yorktown summer team and at Showtime and Jake Reed. Once I started talking to the Syracuse, Princeton and Hopkins coaches, it became clear that I had the opportunity to play at the next level.
* For more info on Trevor, check out his player profile by clicking here.
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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown, Section 1
Congrats Trevor. Wow. Hopkins gets kids so early. I saw him recently, looks bigger than last year. A Rt 202 connection down at Homewood now. Joining Schurr, Daniello, Pellegrino, etc. from the area.
With three varsity seasons to go Trevor has the potential to be Yorktown’s best defenseman in a long time (Fennessy is up there too of course). Congratulations, Trevor. What exciting news! You have done the Yorktown community proud.
Nice news. Congratulations to you Trevor.
Congratulations, Trevor! We are so proud of you and thrilled for you. Hopkins is a great school, has a great lacrosse history and now they are getting a great kid from a great program! Perfect fit. Work hard this year – bring it home. All the best!
Congrats Trevor!
Sounds like a very mature young man and from what I hear a talented player. Congratulations Trevor.
Congratulations Trevor. Your character along with your ability will surely make your family and friends proud during your remaining years as a ‘Husker and over the course of your years as a Blue Jay. Good luck!
Impressive group of former Husker defensemen who played at Hop and of course Dave Marr was one of the Blue Jays’ best attackmen. Welcome aboard Trevor!
Congrats to Trevor.
Boy in a couple of yrs there will a real healthy contingent at JH from Section 1 (Town, Jay, Somers).
Good job Trevor.
Congrats Trevor… See you at the Murph Cup…
Who is the LSM from Jay there now? and does anyone know how hes doing?
J. Pickel.
he tore his shoulder, had to get surgery and is redshirting this year
That was and old high school injury for pickel. Pickel is smart to red shirt because he will not sniff the field for 3 years
Good job by Hop getting a commit from him. Interesting how many other top programs also were after him now.
Think Petro looks to get a step up on the competition and makes a bet to try and lock up a young kid that that he deems has alot of potential and time to grow , get better in high school, and right now might be somewhat under the radar. Believe Nore Dame did the same thing with Landis of Pelham albeit he is a Junior.
If he a junior than it makes perfect sense to make a commitment for both Schools and Players as a spring sport has an obivous disadvantage of relying upon Spring (and Summer) comp of Junior year.
What is the actual commitment made between school and player? Heard rules were changing – seems a little early for both to make lock in.
What is coach leaves or player changes mind…???
Congrats- way to represent the Town program at the next level.
Wow! Congrats Trevor! In a few years Hopkins will be loaded with Section One stars!
So happy for you Trev! Congratulations! So well-deserved, a terrific lax player and young man. (but glad we have him for 3 more years….) :o)
Your the man Trev!
Congrats to this young man, Hop is a great school. The trend to get athletes to commit younger and younger continues. The MLL had it’s first undergrad draft, 5 kids from Brook get drafted (including the #1 overall, Crowley) and not a single one from the Hop.
Mean anything for this coming season?
Good job Trevor and good job Hop snatching him up!
bigbadbear says
what is BROOK
sorry about that Stony Brook University (my alma mater)
What it means is that the Seawolves are poised for a very big season. Hopkins will continue to agressively pursue the best talent that fits their academic status, leading the way in local Class of 2013 recruits. The Blue Jays have well documented issues with the current senior and junior classes, which has opened up opportunities for younger stars such as Yorktown’s Ranagan and Interlicchio and other local talent to play right away, which should pay off in another season or two.
It should be noted that unlike the Syosset sophomore goalie whose parents are Hopkins alumni and has wanted to play at Homewood since he first picked up a stick, young Mr. Koelsch made himself known solely by his play and potential, no legacy assistance required. Congrats to him, his family and good luck for a successful 2011 season.
pretty interesting analysis from laxpower..
http://www.laxpower.com/common/wonloss2011.php
predicts that the ‘Brook (sorry, tough for me to get used to seawolves) will be 11 -1, their only lose coming to Va., whom they predict will go undefeated, along with Hofstra and Bucknell (go figure). I personally will not count Hop for this year
Would luv to see the “blue collar” Brook topple those “pedigrees”
That record would go a long way toward getting a top seed in the NCAAs which will be a key to get to the Final Four, where anything can happen and usually does. We know SB is going to score lots of goals. If the other end of the field can keep it together, it could be a special year for the former “Bridge to Nowhere” boys. To that end, Bear, keep an eye out for our buddy George Benitez, and good luck this upcoming season.
novice, I am old enough to remember the original bridge (r u an alum?)..saw them in a fall ball game the offense was amazing, crowley can do anything…not sure about the D, but ex-White Plains star Savaugn Greene looks to get a lot of run at pole…lots of talk about Hofstra too, (and how perhaps the ‘Brook may be dodgin them)…imagine 2 LI colleges in the final 4
Not an alum, but in 1975 I did do a campus visit and went to a Issac Asimov lecture there where I walked upon the original Bridge to Nowhere (a ramp intended to connect two bulidings that was left literally halfway completed). Stony Brook has come a long way since then.
It’s almost better that they don’t play in the regular season, I think the NCAA will make every effort to get both SB and Hofstra in the same side of the bracket for a Final 8 matchup if both schools get that far. That way it can be played locally to maximize interest. Meanwhile, enjoy the ride!
And how old are you to make a comment like that? I am sure Petro didn’t take the Syosset kid cause his parents went there. Congrats to Hopkins and locking up 2 great players
Petro took the kid because he is not only a top prospect, but he reportedly didn’t want to go anywhere else. So that was very easy to do for Hopkins as well as mutually beneficial.
And you shouldn’t use the term “locked up” when it comes to verbal commitments since, as has been explained on the blog many times, neither side is bound until the National Letter of Intent is signed. A lot can happen in two and a half years.
Keep working hard on your skills and game Trevor and good luck this season and down the road at Hop!
burke and his greasy checks….love it