Sam English, Saam Olexo, Michael Grace selected in NLL Draft
Maxine Brackbill | Senior Staff Photographer
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Three Syracuse men’s lacrosse players were selected in the 2024 National Lacrosse League Draft. Sam English went No. 2 overall to the Toronto Rocks, Michael Grace was selected the next pick by the Georgia Swarm while Saam Olexo was chosen in the fourth round by the Albany FireWolves.
English is set to enter his second season with Syracuse after transferring from Princeton in May 2023. Last spring, English started all 18 games and provided the Orange with strong two-way play as a midfielder. He recorded 23 goals and 11 assists along with picking up 34 ground balls. The midfielder recorded a season-high four points in Syracuse’s NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal loss to Denver.
Grace transferred to Syracuse from Division III Rochester Institute of Technology in April. The long-stick midfielder spent three seasons with RIT, making 47 appearances. This past season, Grace was a threat in transition for the Tigers, recording seven goals and seven assists along with picking up 67 ground balls. Grace was named the D-III United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Outstanding Defenseman of the Year in 2024. He also earned USILA First Team All-America honors.
Olexo has played the last four seasons with SU. He’s played several positions for the Orange, including close defense as a long pole along with long-stick and short-stick midfielder. Olexo appeared in 56 games across four seasons. In 2024, he appeared in all 18 games, finishing with a season-high seven points.
Published on September 16, 2024 at 2:48 pm
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