CLEVELAND, Ohio – Nine current members of the Cleveland State University lacrosse team were named to the National Collegiate Box Series Top 40 list that was recently released by US Box Lacrosse Association (USBOXLA).
Cleveland State's nine selections on the top-40 list were by far the most among all NCAA programs.
Senior Troy Loper led the way for CSU by claiming the number three spot on the top-40 list. Classmates Nate Menendez (No. 11), Isaac Atencio (No. 12), Zach Whitenack (No. 15) and Gage Johnson (No. 17) all earned top-20 slots for the Vikings.
Seniors Jared Stepka (No. 24), Carter Jensen (No. 27), Stephen Masi (No. 33) and Noah Gleeson (No. 35) all were also named to the list.
READ: CSU Duo Win NCBS as 27 Vikings Compete in Summer Box
Loper captained the Gold Miners of the CCBLL this past season and led the squad with 30 goals, one season after being named the 2018 CCBLL MVP. Loper was praised by USBOXLA for filling "pretty much any role that exists in box lacrosse" and having "superb" stick skills, a box IQ that is "off the charts" and a leadership ability that is "unmatched."
To see what the organization had to say in full about Loper and the other eight Vikings on the list, please click here.
USBOXLA ranked the 40 best players that played in CCBLL and the OCBLL in 2019. While reputations and past performances were factored into their decisions, the emphasis behind the list was largely based on individuals' play this past summer. Coaches from each NCBS team were consulted as were various league and NCBS management officials in addition to re-watching countless hours of game film from the CCBLL, OCBLL, and the NCBS National Championship.
Cleveland State posted a winning record in its third season by winning seven of its final 10 games in 2019. After having one DI win in their first season, the Vikings had four in 2018 before registering eight in 2019. In its third year of existence, Cleveland State had no true seniors on its roster in 2019.
