Broadneck Lacrosse Players Commit to Division I Schools

Six students from the lacrosse program committed to Division I schools on Thursday.

Athletic Director Ken Kazmarek addressed an intimate group of parents, coaches, friends and school staff before the students publicly announced their college destinations.

Kazmarek said the school, along with the support of principal David Smith, were very excited to recognize the students accomplishments. He reminded the group that they are more than athletes, but "student athletes" instead.

Those six student athletes are:

Blair Bernhardt (University of Louisville): After missing her sophomore season due to injury, Bernhardt has worked hard enough to position herself for a collegiate lacrosse career. Broadneck girl's lacrosse coach Karen Tengwall trusts that Bernhardt will be a defensive leader this season.

"I just decided that Louisville was the best for me. The coach really wanted me. I play low defense and that's what they really needed, a low defender," Bernhardt said.

She plans to study sports management.

James Dunn (High Point University): "James is a natural long-pole [defenseman]. He's got tremendous speed and strength," Broadneck boy's lacrosse coach Clay White said.

Dunn, ranked no. 16 in the country by ESPN for long-poll defenseman, will help High Point in its inaugural men's lacrosse campaign.

"I met with the coaches and right away they seemed like great guys," Dunn said.

The National Scholastic Club Lacrosse Association named Dunn an All-American this year, as well as several other different outlets.

"The campus itself really just did it for me," he said. "I saw the campus and I fell in love right away. On the way home, I called my coach and said I want to commit. I loved it that much."

Ian Marinacci (Virginia Military Institute): Marinacci is a player who has really developed well since his freshman season, according to Coach White. Next year he will suit up for VMI.

"They're kind of rebuilding their program right now. I'm just excited to a part of the rebuilding process to lead to bigger and better things," Marinacci said.

He plans to study either business or economics once at college.

"You've got to put in extra time, not just in the regular season and they've both done that," White said about about Marinacci and Dunn.

Brittany Marquess (University of Maryland, Baltimore County): She is a deceptively fast player and a great leader by example, said Tengwall about Marquess.

When she enrolls at UMBC, Marquess will look to study orthodontics.

"I looked [at UMBC] and the coaches were amazing. I love the coaches there," she said.

Logan McCarthy (Winthrop University): A mainstay for the Lady Bruins lacrosse team, McCarthy will attend Winthrop next fall.

The Winthrop women's lacrosse is new program, but McCarthy hopes to build up their program in her time there. She enjoys the small school feel it projects there.

"After I figured out where I wanted to go, [it] was a huge weight off my shoulders just to know that I have somewhere to go," she said.

McCarthy is deciding between exercise science or pre-physical therapy for her major.

Nikki Sortisio (Villanova University): Tengwall will rely on Sortisio to lead the Lady Bruins defensive unit this spring.

"Nikki is an incredibly hard worker, a great teammate a leader by example," Tengwell told Broadneck Patch in an email.

Sortisio will head to Villanova next fall and is considering the business program there.

"There are a lot of girls from this area that are already on the team. They were all really nice," she said. "I went and sat in the classes and I loved all the classes."