On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Bensalem seniors Alexander Garcia, Zach Lentchner, Matt Wheaton & Andrew Leibig were recognized for committing to play collegiate soccer. (Photos provided courtesy of Jess Ody/Bensalem HS)
Alexander Garcia – Bryn Athyn College (Soccer)
Major: Business
Reasons for choosing Bryn Athyn: “It has a local community, it’s a small college, and it feels welcoming.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? "The summer training my high school coach put us through, the intensity we were put through all summer long. I started thinking about playing college soccer the end of my junior year. The recruiting process started the summer going into my senior year, and it helped me get in contact with lots of coaches."
Coach Kevin Bock says: “Alex Garcia came off the bench for us and played out wide in the midfield and gave us some really strong minutes. He’s a really good kid. He’s a kid that showed up all the time for offseason workouts. He works tremendously hard. He was always there pushing the other plays at practice. He did a really good job with that type of stuff. I think he’s going to have a good year at Bryn Athyn.”
About Alex:
Favorite foods: Pizza & wings
Favorite movie: The Flash
Favorite music: “After Hours” by the Weeknd
Andrew Leibig – Bryn Athyn College (Soccer)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Bryn Athyn, Saint Joseph’s
Reasons for choosing Bryn Athyn: “The opportunity to continue my soccer career, and it’s close to home for family to watch me play.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “Since I was a little kid, I always thought about playing at the next level. The process all started in the beginning of my senior year.”
Coach Kevin Bock says: “Andrew Leibig was a leader. He was a career forward, and when I took over the job, I actually moved him to defense. He did a really good job his junior year playing in the middle. His senior year he came in and moved to the outside. He did a tremendous job. He showed up to all offseason workouts, he was somebody for the kids to look up to. He was always there and was a really good player – he’s strong and fast.”
About Andrew:
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite TV show: Wicked Tuna
Favorite music: Country
Zach Lentchner – Penn State Abington (Soccer)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Penn State Abington, Central Penn, Bryn Athyn
Reasons for choosing Penn State Abington: “A Penn State degree, a good relationship with coach Pat Morris and a chance to come in and compete every day.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I have always had the desire to play college soccer. I started teaching out to schools with my club teams tournament schedule my sophomore year. I didn’t connect with coach Pat Morris until a couple months ago. When I visited camps and talked with Coach Morris, I knew immediately this is where I wanted to go.”
Coach Kevin Bock says: “Zach Lentchner was our goalie, and he was a team leader. I started two years ago, and he was a captain his junior year and a captain his senior year. He’s a tremendous leader – very vocal. He’s a lead-by-example type player. He’s good with his feet too – you can play back to him, and he’s very comfortable. His confidence level is unshaken. I think he’s going to have a really good career going to Penn State Abington. He plays multiple sports, but soccer is his number one. He’s fantastic back there.”
About Zach:
Favorite food: Wawa quesadilla
Favorite TV show: Last Chance U
Favorite artist: Kur
Matt Wheaton – Central Penn College (Soccer)
Major: Marketing
Final list of colleges: Central Penn, Penn State Abington, Bryn Athyn, Marywood
Reasons for choosing Central Penn: “When I toured, I instantly fell in love, and the campus made me feel at home. From a soccer standpoint, the players were very welcoming, and the coach reminded me of my old
coach, Coach Gregg.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level?
“I’ve been thinking about playing soccer in college since around fifth or sixth grade. The recruiting process for me started around seventh grade. It started because my Coach Tom and Coach Gregg saw my potential and spoke to my mom about a higher level of soccer.”
Coach Kevin Bock says: “Matt Wheaton is an outstanding midfielder. He played defense for me his freshman year and was kind of in and out. His junior season he had a lot of nagging injuries. He came back and had a strong senior season. He was tied for the leading goal scorer and also tied with assists. He had a great season. He scored some key goals for us. We played Pennsbury toward the end of the season when my senior back was hurt. I moved him back to center back – we shut out Pennsbury. It ended up being a tie. He’s just an outstanding player – not as vocal. He’s kind of a quiet leader, but again, he’s another guy that leads by example. He’s a really strong player, and I think he’s going to have a really good college career.”
About Matt:
Favorite food: Pulled pork
Favorite movie: Avengers: Endgame
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite artist/music: Gunna/Rap
- Log in to post comments
