Waldt named to 2016 Tewaaraton Award Watch List

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With the 2016 men's lacrosse season in full swing, the Tewaaraton Foundation has announced this year's watch list, highlighting the top players from across the country throughout all three divisions, including Bryant University senior goalie Gunnar Waldt (Freeland, Md.).

Waldt's impressive resume includes two previous stints on the Tewaaraton Watch List, including a semifinalist nod in 2014. The senior captain enters his final season as a two-time USILA Third Team All-American and two-time reigning Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and finished the 2015 campaign ranked inside the nation's top-20 in all three goalie statistics.

Through the opening three games of the 2016 season, Waldt has yet to disappoint, ranking in the top-25 in save percentage (.596), goals against average (7.91) and saves per game (11.33) while anchoring a top-20 defense that allows just eight goals per outing. Among active goalies, Waldt's career numbers rank at or near the top as well, leading all the nation's goalies in minutes played (189,783) while ranking second in career saves (608) and seventh in saves per game (11.05, sixth among active DI goalies).

The three-time All-NEC honoree currently ranks second in the Bryant program record books for career saves (608) and third for career wins (32). Last month, Waldt was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, taken with the 28th overall pick by the Florida Launch. The Maryland native has led the Bulldogs to three-consecutive NCAA tournament berths during his tenure between the pipes.

This is the fifth-straight season the Bulldogs have seen a player named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List, and Waldt is one of just two players out of the Northeast Conference to be recognized (Michael Rastivo, St. Joseph's). He is also one of just four goalies to be named to the top-50 list.

The Tewaaraton Award, presented by Under Armour, annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation.

Players not named to the initial list have two opportunities to play their way into a spot as the season progresses. Watch list additions, if applicable, will be announced on March 17 and April 7 before the field is narrowed to 25 nominees on April 28. Five finalists will then be announced May 12, and the winner will be named June 2 at the 16th annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.