Air Force Lacrosse Holds Annual Awards Banquet
5/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
May 10, 2007
USAFA, Colo. - Several members of the Air Force lacrosse team were honored Wednesday evening as the Falcons held their annual awards banquet. Capturing the team's top award as most valuable player was senior captain Will Meister.
Meister, in his second season as one of the Falcons' team captains, ranked second on the team in total points this year with 33 and led Air Force with 20 assists. Ranked among the nation's assist leaders with 1.67 assists per contest this season, the Denver, Colo., native closed out his career with 84 assists, tying for sixth on the Air Force all-time list. A two-time All-GWLL selection, Meister also garnered offensive MVP honors and was named a co-recipient of the 100% Award, bestowed upon the players who give their all every time they step on the field.
Sharing the 100% Award with Meister were fellow captain Daniel Breiding and sophomore Griffin Nevitt. Breiding, a senior from Pittsburgh, Pa., was also named the defensive MVP for the second-straight season. The Falcons' top defender, Breiding often drew the assignment of guarding the opponents' top offensive performer. Meanwhile, Nevitt was also named the recipient of both the Hoover Award, given to the player who picks up the most ground balls, and the Golden Glove Award. Nevitt, a native of Charlotte, N.C., was the team's leading scorer in 2007 with 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists).
The most improved offensive player award was given to sophomore K.J. Landgraf (Cordova, Md.). Landgraf tallied his first career goal in the Falcons' win over Quinnipiac and added five assists on the season. Meanwhile, sharing most improved defensive player honors were junior Lukas Fisher (Cincinnati, Ohio) and sophomore David Mackintosh (Manlius, N.Y.). Fisher, who began his career as a defensive midfielder and move to the long-stick midfield position last season, moved into the starting lineup at close defense this season, and was also awarded the Strength and Conditioning Award, given to the player who works the hardest the weight room. Meanwhile, Mackintosh, who saw limited action in his freshman campaign, was a starter on defense for the Falcons in all 12 games this season.
Also honored on Wednesday was senior Justin Kuchta (Ridgefield, Conn.), who was named the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. Kuchta, who finished the season with 18 goals, ranking second on the team, has been one of the Falcons' top scorers in all four seasons at the Academy. An All-GWLL selection in 2005, Kuchta closes out his career with 72 goals and 24 assists.
Senior Michael Weber (Wantagh, N.Y.) was honored with the Pace Weber Award. The award is presented yearly as a tribute to C1C Pace Weber, who perished along with his instructor in a T-3 flight training accident here at the Academy. Voted on by members of the varsity team, the recipient is an individual associated with the Air Force lacrosse team who most exemplifies the characteristics by which Pace Weber lived his life.
In addition to honoring this year's captains, Meister and Breiding, the coaching staff also announced the captains for next season. Fisher and Kevin Crumrine (Jr., Edgewater, Md.) will take over captain duties for the 2008 season.
2007 Air Force Lacrosse Awards
MVP: Will MeisterMVP Offense: Will MeisterMVP Defense: Daniel BreidingMost Improved Offense: K.J. LandgrafMost Improved Defense: Lukas Fisher, David MackintoshHoover Award: Griffin Nevitt100% Award: Daniel Breiding, Will Meister, Griffin NevittGolden Glove Award: Griffin NevittUnsung Hero Award: Justin KuchtaPace Weber Award: Michael WeberStrength & Conditioning Award: Lukas Fisher
