Blue Devils Garner Preseason Recognition

DURHAM, N.C.—With the Duke men's lacrosse season just around the corner in February, it is time for the preseason prognostications from Inside Lacrosse. The Blue Devils come in at No. 3 in the Inside Lacrosse preseason rankings, while five players are on the preseason All-America lists.

Duke, coming off of a 12-6 season, lands in the No. 3 spot behind top-ranked Notre Dame and reigning NCAA champion Denver. The Blue Devils welcome back a wealth of talent, including the entire starting unit. Overall, Duke returns 81 percent of its scoring from a year ago as well as the core of the close defense.

Seniors Deemer Class and Myles Jones headline the Blue Devils' preseason All-America picks as first-team midfielders. Sophomore Justin Guterding garnered second team recognition at attack, while Kyle Rowe and Thomas Zenker were voted honorable mention.

The dynamic duo of Class and Jones has combined for 299 points from 177 goals and 122 assists during their careers. Jones, the 2015 Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Award winner, is coming off of a record-break season of 40 goals and 37 assists for 77 points. He holds the Duke single season and career records for points by a midfielder and has 161 points in his career.

A two-time All-American, Class registered 34 goals and 19 assists for 53 points his junior season. He has run on the top midfield line the previous two seasons and has 138 career points. He ranks 28th on the Duke career points list and is on pace with Jones to become the second Duke midfielder to reach 100 career goals.

Guterding, the 2015 ACC Rookie of the Year, had a breakout first season for the Blue Devils with 52 goals to rank ninth in Duke single season history. He was five shy of matching Zack Greer's freshman record of 57 and two points shy of reaching Greer's rookie point total of 72.

Duke's top returning faceoff specialist, Rowe gained momentum down the stretch last season. After battling an offseason injury the Virginia native finished his first season as a Blue Devil with a .614 percentage at the X. He garnered the primary faceoff role at Stony Brook, winning 18-of-20, and sported at 62 percent success rate in the final five games of the year.

Zenker, an anchor in Duke's defensive midfield, is back for his junior campaign with Rowe. The Long Island native amassed 20 ground balls and six caused turnovers a year ago. He has played in every game in his career and also owns six goals and four assists for 10 points.

The Blue Devils will face nine of Inside Lacrosse's preseason top 20, including Nos. 1 and 2. The complete lacrosse schedule will be released soon for fans.

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