Army West Point Athletics
Nichtern Named Tewaaraton Trophy Award Finalist
May 12, 2022 | Men's Lacrosse
WASHINGTON – Brendan Nichtern has been announced as one of the five finalists for the 2022 Tewaaraton Award on May 12. The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The five men's and five women's finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C., for the annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony on June 2.
Nichtern, who was named to the Tewaaraton Top 25 on April 21, is the third Black Knight in program history to be named a finalist; joining John Walker (2005) and Jeremy Boltus (2011). Nichtern is joined by Chris Gray (North Carolina), Logan Wisnauskas (Maryland), Sam Handley (Penn), and Connor Shellenberger (Virginia) as finalists for this year's award.
"Brendan is one of the finest players and leaders in our rich history at the Academy," head coach Joe Alberici said. "His statistics undeniably tell the story of his impact on the program, but his leadership and competitive drive have proved to be invaluable. I am happy and proud of him for being named one of the top five players in the nation."
The Tewaaraton announcement is another accolade for Nichtern this week. On May 10, Nichtern was the ninth overall selection in the 2022 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Draft, becoming the third Black Knight in program history to be drafted by the PLL which started in 2019. He was also named to the USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American Second Team.
The Massapequa, N.Y. native was the catalyst for the nationally-ranked Black Knights while setting program records along the way. Army's career leader in points and assists was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight campaign. He became just the second Black Knight to win the award twice and the fifth Patriot League student-athlete to win the award in consecutive seasons.
On March 26, Nichtern became the program's career leader in points and assists as he helped rally Army to a 14-12 win at Loyola Maryland. He finished with a game-high seven points including five points in the fourth quarter.
He set the program single-season record for points – breaking a 51-year-old record – and for assists, which he set in 2019, after posting a career-high eight assists and tying a career-high 10 points in the 15-14 win at No. 15 Boston University on April 29. The eight assists are tied for the second-most in Army history and are tied for the most in NCAA Division I this season. The 10 points are tied for third in program history.
He finished the season with 101 points and 60 assists which are second and third most, respectively, in Patriot League history. At the conclusion of Army's campaign, he ranked first in the nation in assists per game (3.75) and points per game (6.3); his 2.5 goals per game were fifth in the conference.
Nichtern, who is only the second two-time captain in program history, finished his 116-game career with a program-best 284 points and 168 assists, which are the second-most in Patriot League history in both categories. His 116 career goals are tenth on the Army career list. His career 3.17 assists per game lead all active NCAA Division I student-athletes and his 5.36 points per game are second amongst active players.
Nichtern, who branched into field artillery, will graduate with a Law and Legal studies degree. He will be commissioned as a second lieutenant during West Point's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 21.
For complete coverage of Army West Point men's lacrosse follow the Black Knights on Twitter, Instagram, and at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
Nichtern, who was named to the Tewaaraton Top 25 on April 21, is the third Black Knight in program history to be named a finalist; joining John Walker (2005) and Jeremy Boltus (2011). Nichtern is joined by Chris Gray (North Carolina), Logan Wisnauskas (Maryland), Sam Handley (Penn), and Connor Shellenberger (Virginia) as finalists for this year's award.
"Brendan is one of the finest players and leaders in our rich history at the Academy," head coach Joe Alberici said. "His statistics undeniably tell the story of his impact on the program, but his leadership and competitive drive have proved to be invaluable. I am happy and proud of him for being named one of the top five players in the nation."
The Tewaaraton announcement is another accolade for Nichtern this week. On May 10, Nichtern was the ninth overall selection in the 2022 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Draft, becoming the third Black Knight in program history to be drafted by the PLL which started in 2019. He was also named to the USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American Second Team.
The Massapequa, N.Y. native was the catalyst for the nationally-ranked Black Knights while setting program records along the way. Army's career leader in points and assists was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight campaign. He became just the second Black Knight to win the award twice and the fifth Patriot League student-athlete to win the award in consecutive seasons.
On March 26, Nichtern became the program's career leader in points and assists as he helped rally Army to a 14-12 win at Loyola Maryland. He finished with a game-high seven points including five points in the fourth quarter.
He set the program single-season record for points – breaking a 51-year-old record – and for assists, which he set in 2019, after posting a career-high eight assists and tying a career-high 10 points in the 15-14 win at No. 15 Boston University on April 29. The eight assists are tied for the second-most in Army history and are tied for the most in NCAA Division I this season. The 10 points are tied for third in program history.
He finished the season with 101 points and 60 assists which are second and third most, respectively, in Patriot League history. At the conclusion of Army's campaign, he ranked first in the nation in assists per game (3.75) and points per game (6.3); his 2.5 goals per game were fifth in the conference.
Nichtern, who is only the second two-time captain in program history, finished his 116-game career with a program-best 284 points and 168 assists, which are the second-most in Patriot League history in both categories. His 116 career goals are tenth on the Army career list. His career 3.17 assists per game lead all active NCAA Division I student-athletes and his 5.36 points per game are second amongst active players.
Nichtern, who branched into field artillery, will graduate with a Law and Legal studies degree. He will be commissioned as a second lieutenant during West Point's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 21.
For complete coverage of Army West Point men's lacrosse follow the Black Knights on Twitter, Instagram, and at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
Men's 2022 Tewaaraton Finalists:
Chris Gray, North Carolina - Grad. Student, Attack
Sam Handley, Pennsylvania - Sr., Midfield
Brendan Nichtern, Army West Point - Sr., Attack
Connor Shellenberger, Virginia - Soph., Attack
Logan Wisnauskas, Maryland - Fifth Year Senior, Attack
About The Tewaaraton Foundation
Founded at the University Club of Washington, DC and first presented in 2001, the Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. Endorsed by the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders and USA Lacrosse, the Tewaaraton Award symbolizes lacrosse's centuries-old roots in Native American heritage. The Tewaaraton Foundation ensures the integrity and advances the mission of this award. Each year, the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy – the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora – and presents two scholarships to students of Native American descent. To learn more about The Tewaaraton Foundation, please visit www.tewaaraton.com.
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