May 22, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD - Michael Evans (Davidsonville, MD/South River), a senior on the Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team, has been named the 2009 recipient of the William C. Schmeisser Award as the nation's top defenseman it was announced today. Evans' selection marks the 15th time a Johns Hopkins player has earned the award since it was first presented in 1942. He is the 12th different Hopkins player to earn the award (three individuals won the award twice) and he is the first Blue Jay since Brian Kuczma in 1997 to be selected.

In addition to grabbing the Schmeisser Award, Evans closed a standout career with a selection as a First Team USILA All-American this season. He had previously garnered Honorable Mention All-America honors as a sophomore and third team status as a junior before moving up to the first team this season. He became the first Johns Hopkins defenseman since Tom Garvey in 2005 to earn first team honors and is the first Blue Jays defensive player to earn All-America honors three times since Brandon Testa (1999-2001).

Evans started all 15 games this season and all 49 over the last three years. A team captain as a senior, Evans grabbed a career-high 16 ground balls and added nine caused turnovers this season. He regularly drew the assignment of marking the opposition's top attackman and earned a spot on the 2008 NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Johns Hopkins' All-Time Schmeisser Award Recipients

1943 - George Riepe
1949 - Lloyd Bunting
1951 - Joseph Sollers
1958 - Walter Mitchell
1961 - Michael Byrne
1966 - Hank Kaestner
1967 - Hank Kaestner
1969 - Michael Clark
1979 - Mark Greenberg
1980 - Mark Greenberg
1985 - John DeTommaso
1988 - Dave Pietramala
1989 - Dave Pietramala
1997 - Brian Kuczma
2009 - Michael Evans

- 30 -