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Bryant coach Mike Pressler landed a verbal from one of the top 2018 defenders in the CHSAA with Max Persico of Iona Prep now bound for the Bulldogs.
Persico’s decision was first reported when it was made last week by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
The hard-nosed and tenacious 5-foot-8, 151-pound Persico, a lefty, caused 44 turnovers and had 31 groundballs as a freshman.
A skilled player with a high lacrosse IQ, Persico, a Briarcliff Manor (NY) resident, had just one penalty in 23 games.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Max on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
The main factors in my decision were primarily the academics and the chance to play at the Division I level.
I know that I want to study business and Bryant is primarily a business school.
However, Coach Pressler also had a lot to do with my decision. What he has been able to do with the program in such a short period of time, making it to the NCAA quarterfinals while only becoming a full Division I member in 2012 makes me confident that the future is very bright for the program.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I considered a handful of schools and did visits at four other schools including some Ivy League and Patriot League schools.
Have you decided what academic major you plan to pursue?
I plan on studying Finance.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe you’re style of play?
I’m not a very big kid so I often rely on my footwork, which is something I am constantly working on. I also like to think that I have a pretty good stick and can handle the ball confidently when necessary.
The biggest strength in my game is my ability to lead and be vocal and communicate on and off the field. It is what has taken me the furthest in lacrosse so far.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
I definitely need to get bigger and stronger so that I am able to back down bigger and stronger attackmen. Size is something I lack.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports have you played?
I was introduced to lacrosse in third grade through the Briarcliff Manor Youth Lacrosse (BMYL). When I was younger I played football, soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, I skied, and I even rode dirt bikes. I did pretty much anything I could get involved in.
What travel team do you play on and what showcase events did you participate in?
I play for Long Island Express North, under head coach Chris Schreiber. I played in many Showcases throughout the fall and summer with my team. The only individual showcase I participated in during the summer was Jake Reed’s Nike Bluechip.
Any final thoughts and people you want to thank for helping you reach this point?
I would like to first thank my teammates on Express, as well as my teammates at Iona Prep. Those guys mean the world to me and I couldn’t have made it to this point without them.
I would like to thank Coach Schreiber, Coach Muller, Coach Reda and Coach McDermott from Express for helping me and all my teammates throughout this entire process.
I also want to thank Coach Rick Trizano and the entire coaching staff at Iona Prep, including Coach Fee, Coach Steve, Coach Nick, and Coach Mike for leading us to a state championship and making my first year at Iona fantastic.
I would also like to thank all my youth coaches, specifically Tim McBride and Jon Kanovsky for making my youth experience fun and teaching me lacrosse the right way. Lastly I would like to thank my parents for all they do for my brother and I.
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Recruiting Rundown section
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* Recruiting commitment story archive
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Posted In: CHSAA lacrosse, Hudson Valley, Recruiting Rundown
