DENVER – The University of Denver men's lacrosse program had three student-athletes named to the 2024 USA Lacrosse Preseason All-America list, the publication announced on Wednesday.
 
The trio of graduate students to earn honorable mention recognition were faceoff specialist Alec Stathakis close defensemen Jack DiBenedetto and close defenseman AJ Mercurio.
 
Stathakis earned postseason All-America honorable mention recognition a year ago and was a BIG EAST Second Team selection last season. The Northville, Michigan native was named to the U-21 roster for the United States for the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship. Entering his second season as a captain for the Pioneers, Stathakis is facing off at 60.1% in his career with 731 wins on 1217 attempts. Stathakis has picked up ground balls on more than half of his wins, picking up 413 in his career.
 
DiBenedetto joins Stathakis as a two-time captain in 2024, and is also coming off an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection a year ago. The Buffalo native played and started in all 15 games, picking up 16 ground balls and forcing 14 turnovers while often drawing the opponent's top attacking threat. DiBenedetto had multiple caused turnovers in five games last season, including four of the last seven.
 
Mercurio was a U.S. Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American selection and a 2023 All-BIG EAST pick a year ago. The Nevada native played and started in all 15 games, picking up 19 ground balls, forcing seven caused turnovers and scoring three times in transition.
 
UP NEXT:
Denver will open the 2024 season with a trip to Johns Hopkins on Saturday, February 3. Faceoff is set for 10 a.m. MT on ESPN+.
 
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