BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Head coach Kelly Gutshall has announced the signing of 20 student athletes that will become a part of the Mountain Hawks program in the fall of 2006. This newest class consisting of sixteen men and four women will add to the program’s growing consistency and high level of play. The newest class of Mountain Hawks hails from eight different states, with Maryland, Indiana, Arizona, Illinois and Massachusetts producing one apiece, New Hampshire yielding two, New Jersey turning out five, and Pennsylvania generating the highest number with seven Pa. natives, including one from Bethlehem. Gutshall also brought in some young talent from Ontario to round out the group.
On the women’s side Kelly Fitzgerald arrives from Kensington Maryland where she transferred as a junior from an all girl’s school lacking a golf program, to Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. After her move she became the only girl on her school’s golf team and was able to appear in four of six matches that year. She placed third in the Girl’s District High School tournament and 12th in the 2004 Maryland State High School Girl’s Championship with scores of 86 and 82. She also appeared in five MAPGA Titleist Junior Tour events, placing third in one event.
Alix Landon comes to Lehigh all the way from Toronto, Canada where she was the first ever girl member of her high school’s team, the York Mills Collegiate Institute. She posted a low score for York Mills at the 2004 Toronto City Finals with 89 and also received a gold medal as a member of the City of Toronto District School Board Champions. She took home Junior Girls Champion Oakdale Golf and Country Club championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and was the first time Junior Girl 2004 Ladies Club Champion. Landon also took fourth place in two consecutive years at the York District Girls Championships (03, 04) and took the gold medal in the 2005 Macabbi JCC Games in Washington DC. This honor roll student also participated in the York Mills softball, field hockey, volleyball and curling teams and represented those teams as a member of her high school’s athletic council.
Hailing from Auburn, Indiana and attendee of Dekalb High School is Jennifer Nagel. Nagel comes to Lehigh as a past member of the Mountain Dew Junior tour where she played in the tour championship three of four years and placed first in 2003. Nagel also participated in the 2004 Aquafina Masters (invitation only) Tour in which she placed in the top ten of forty in all events. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Nagel also notched a stellar performance in the classroom. She posted a strong GPA in her junior year and was ranked number two in her class. She also attended the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair three years in a row at which she received awards in chemistry, and she has received Scholastic Art and Writing awards at the regional level including the American Vision Award.
Allison Targoff, from Tucson, Arizona rounds out the female team’s newest members. Targoff comes to Lehigh as a two time varsity member for Ironwood Ridge High School and a two time varsity member of the Salpointe Catholic High School where she transferred as a junior. She serves as a co-captain for Salpointe in her senior year and was recognized as an AIA Scholar-Athlete at both schools. Her performance in regionals where she shot an 83/86 over two days helped to propel Salpointe to the state finals. Off the course she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Humanities program, and is the current President of her local B’nai Brith Girls chapter of which she has been a member through out her high school career.
The Lehigh men’s team welcomes Landisville, Pennsylvania native Jonathan Sowa. Sowa is a four year member of the Hempfield High School golf team and earned a varsity letter while starting in both his junior and senior year. Sowa looks to continue his excellence on the course and off in his first year at Lehigh.
Hailing from Springfield, New Jersey Stephen Suarez who attends Oratory Prep is a two time First Team all conference selection, and as a junior he was also selected to the First Team All Parochial B, the All Union County Team, the First Team All Prep and to the Third Team All State. Suarez has taken first place in 13 competitions in his career including at numerous New Jersey Junior Golf Competitions (NJJGC), at Prep States and in The 2005 Conference Championship.
Brett Rube arrives at Lehigh out of Richboro, Pennsylvania as a three year member of the varsity golf team at Council Rock South High School where he was elected the most improved player as a sophomore and as an honorable mention in the Suburban I Continental League as a junior. In addition to his involvement in athletics Rube is also involved in the National Honor Society and the German Honor Society.
John Meehan out of Moorestown, New Jersey will be joining the Mountain Hawks this upcoming season. He is a four year member of Moorestown High School’s varsity golf team that went undefeated in his first three years. He helped the team to capture a state championship in his sophomore season, and was honored as a second Team Burlington County Scholastic League All-star as a junior. Meehan also serves as a member of the Honor and Service society, and his sister Mary is a member of the women’s team.
A local, Cullin McGrath, comes to Lehigh out of Kutztown, Pennsylvania where he attends Kutztown Area High School. McGrath has been the #1 golfer three years running for Kutztown and was awarded the Team Leader Award twice. This two year receiver of the Kutztown Cougar Award also helped his team to capture the division title and a second place finish in the Team County Championship this past year.
Another Pennsylvania native, Andrew Lexa, will arrive at Lehigh out of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. As a three year member of the North Penn High School varsity golf team Lexa was named second team All Suburban I Conference selection and placed fifth in the National Conference at the Suburban I Tournament.
Pieter Lamley out of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania joins the incoming Mountain Hawks. Lamley is a four year member of Great Valley High School’s varsity golf team and ends his career as a senior co-captain. He was selected Southern Chester County All League selection in 2003 and 2004 and was awarded with an All-America Team selection in 2003. Lamley was also honored with the Great Valley High School MVP award for Outstanding leadership and performance in golf in 2003.
Glenn Laaspere reaches Lehigh by way of Londonderry, New Hampshire. Laaspere served as a four year member of the Derryfield School varsity golf team in which time he was able to help his team capture four consecutive State Championships by finishing sixth in 2002, second in 2004, and eighth in 2005 in the state individual tournament.
Lehigh welcomes Kellen Gillespie, an incoming Mountain Hawk out of Clinton, New Jersey. This North Hunterdon High School attendee took third place in the county tournament and first in the NJJGC.
Hailing from Wayne, Pennsylvania Douglas Gill joins the Mountain Hawks as a member of Radnor High School’s varsity squad. Gill has accumulated Honorable Mention All-Central League (2003, 04) and second Team All-Central League (2005) on his way to helping his team capture the Central League Championship in 2002, 2003, and 2004, the District I Team Championship in 2003 and the runner up spot in 2004. This two year captain of the Merion Gold Club Interclub Team is also ranked in the top 10% of his class and is a member of the National Honor Society.
The next newcomer, Eric Feather, is sure to feel at home on Lehigh’s campus. This Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native is a three year member of the Moravian Academy golf team and a three time repeat MVP. Feather won the Saucon Valley Country Club Junior Club Championship and was placed on the All-area team in his junior year.
Dylan Evans out of Bedford, New Hampshire joins the Mountain Hawks with Derryfield School teammate Glenn Laaspere. Dylan helped to propel his team to four consecutive state championships. As a senior he played in nine matches as well as in the state championship where he tied for second and was only two shots behind the leader.
Lehigh also welcomes one of its newest Mountain Hawks, Matthew Denison, out of Northbrook Illinois. This three year Glenbrook North High School varsity starter and senior captain captured the team MVP in 2004 and 2005. Denison also served as the vice president of the National Honor Society as a junior and senior, is the senior class board treasurer and is the president of the student advisory board.
The next incoming Mountain Hawk hails from Short Hills, New Jersey and attends Delbarton High School. John Chrin will continue the proud Lehigh tradition set forth by his parents who are both Lehigh Alumni.
Robert Bernard out of Flemington, New Jersey is a relative new comer to the game. Although this Flemington High School Attendee has only been on the tournament circle for one year he has accumulated two fourth place finishes, two second place finishes, and one first place finish.
The final incomer, Amir Bagherzadeh out of Westford Massachusetts, rounds out the field of 16 men. Bagherzadeh has been a two year member of the Lawrence Academy High School Golf team and served as a team captain in his senior year. He posted three second place performances on the NEPGA Titleist Junior Tour and took first at the Groton Country Club in his junior year.
Lehigh Golf Class of 2010
|
Name |
Hometown/High School |
|
Amir Bagherzadeh |
Westford, Mass./ Lawrence Academy |
|
Robert Bernard |
Flemington, N.J./ Flemington |
|
John Chrin |
Short Hills, N.J./ Delbarton |
|
Matthew Denison |
Northbrook, Ill./ Glenbrook North |
|
Dylan Evans |
Bedford, N.H./ Derryfield |
|
Eric Feather |
Bethlehem, Pa./ Moravian Academy |
|
Kelly Fitzgerald |
Kensington, Md./ Bethesda-Chevy Chase |
|
Douglas Gill |
Wayne, Pa./ Radnor |
|
Kellen Gillespie |
Clinton, N.J./ North Hunterdon |
|
Glenn Laaspere |
Londonderry, N.H./ Derryfield |
|
Pieter Lamley |
Phoenixville, Pa./ Great Valley |
|
Alix Landon |
Toronto Canada/ York Mills Collegiate Institute |
|
Andrew Lexa |
Lansdale, Pa./North Penn |
|
Cullin McGrath |
Kutztown, Pa./ Kutztown Area |
|
John Meehan |
Moorestown, N.J./ Moorestown |
|
Jennifer Nagel |
Auburn, Ind./ Dekalb |
|
Brett Rube |
Richboro, Pa./ Council Rock South |
|
Jonathan Sowa |
Landisville, Pa./ Hempfield |
|
Stephen Suarez |
Springfield, N.J./ Oratory Prep |
|
Allison Targoff |
Tucson, Ariz./ Ironwood Ridge |
