2006 OUTLOOK
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TEAM
T ED SONNENBERG**
#68
Senior Offensive Line • 6-4 • 281 Holgate, Ohio Holgate School Animal Sciences
J OHN STATHAS
#99
Sophomore Defensive Line • 6-3 • 286 Dallas, Texas St. Mark’s HS Undecided - Arts and Sciences
At Cornell: An honorable mention All-Ivy selection at center in 2005, Sonnenberg will enter his third year as a starter with tremendous confidence. He started all 10 games a season ago, helping block for one of the nation’s top rushing offenses. Cornell ranked eighth nationally (248.6 ypg.) in rushing offense, scoring 26 touchdowns on the ground and helping both Ryan Kuhn and Luke Siwula record 1,000yard seasons en route to first-team All-Ivy honors. Sonnenberg made an impact during his sophomore campaign in 2004, playing in nine games while starting the last six contests of the season, during which the Big Red went 3-3. An intelligent player capable of pass or run blocking, Sonnenberg has all the skills needed to succeed at the center position. Sonnenberg is a student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. At Holgate: A four-year letter winner in football at Holgate School, Sonnenberg played on both the offensive and defensive lines. The team’s captain and MVP as a senior, he was a Perrysburg All-Star and earned first-team all-conference honors on both sides of the ball. Sonnenberg played basketball and was a member of the track team. His basketball team played in the regional tournament three straight years and was the league champion in 2003. He was the track team’s MVP and was a regional qualifier in the discus and shot put. Personal: Theodore Sonnenberg is the son of Kent and Jan Sonnenberg and has two sisters.
At Cornell: Stathas is another of the Big Red’s young, intense defensive linemen. He possesses the size and strength to become a dominant interior lineman.StathasisenrolledintheCollegeofArtsandSciences.At St. Mark’s: Ranked among the top 100 recruits in the talent-rich DallasareaasasenioratSt.Mark’sHS,Stathaswasafirst-teamallconference selection in each of his final three years and was named theconference’stoplinemantwice.Heplayedontheoffensiveline, atdefensivetackleanddefensiveendduringhisprepcareer.Hewas rated as a two-star prospect according to Rivals.com and was named one of the top 10 defensive linemen in the state by Dave Campbell’sTexasFootballNews.Stathasletteredinbaseball,where he was a two-time all-conference pick as a first baseman on a team that won two league crowns. He was named team most valuable player as a senior. Personal: John James Stathas is the son of Steve andJaneStathas.
A LEX SPOONER
At Cornell: Valenta established himself as one of the top young offensive linemen in the Ivy League, seeing action in four games before missing the remainder of the season with an injury. He has outstanding footwork to go along with his intimidating size. Valenta is enrolled in the College of Engineering. At Sandburg: Valenta was selected to play in the 2005 Illinois Coaches Association Shriners All-Star Football Game after earning second-team all-state honors in his senior season at Carl Sandburg HS. He was an all-league and AllMetroland Chicago pick and was selected to the all-state academic team. Valenta was rated as a two-star prospect according to Rivals.com.Healsocompetedinbasketballandbaseball.Personal: Stephen Vincent Valenta is the son of Christine Valenta and has an oldersister.
#80
Sophomore Tight End • 6-1 • 221 Rocky River, Ohio St. Edwards HS Biological Sciences
#79
Sophomore Offensive Line • 6-5 • 295 Orland Park, Ill. Carl Sandburg HS Undecided - Engineering
WWW .CORNELL B IG R ED . COM
At Cornell: Spooner saw action in two varsity games after showcasing his tremendous receiving skills on the junior varsity. He has the size and blocking ability to contribute as a sophomore in 2006 after the Big Red lost its top two tight ends from a season ago to graduation. He is enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.At St. Edwards: Spooner served as co-captain and earned all-league, allcounty and all-district honors as a tight end at St. Edwards HS. He helped his team advance to the Division I regional semifinals in 2004 by catching 22 passes for 367 yards, three touchdowns and a two-point conversion. He was also named to the Cleveland Plain Dealer all-area team. A tremendous blocker from the tight end position, he graded nearly 90 percent for his blocking, had 20 knockdown blocks and also excelled as a long snapper. He was chosen to compete in the state’s East-West all-star game and was selectedforthescholar-athleteawardforNortheasternOhiobythe Ohio chapter of the National Football Foundation. Spooner was also a key figure on the 2003 team that finished as state runner-up. The two-year starter at tight end also played three seasons of basketball.Personal:AlexanderJamesSpooneristhesonofMichael and Sharon Spooner and has an older sister and younger brother.
STEVEVALENTA*
2006 FOOTBALL
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