Gettysburg College Athletics

Mike Plantholt was the best defensive player in the country during his time with the lacrosse team.
 
Joining the well-established program in 1998, Plantholt quickly assumed a lead role on defense and helped the Bullets capture the Centennial Conference title and gain entry into the NCAA Division III Tournament. Gettysburg would not relinquish its hold on the crown and went 24-0 in league play during his tenure.
 
As a sophomore, he achieved second-team All-Centennial Conference status as Gettysburg set a school record for goals against average and achieved its first-ever No. 1 national ranking. Plantholt gained his first national award in 2000, earning third-team All-America as the Bullets marched to the NCAA quarterfinals.
 
The 2001 campaign set a new standard for the men’s lacrosse program. Serving as a team captain, Plantholt earned his second consecutive first-team all-league honor and guided the Bullets to a 16-2 overall record. Gettysburg once again ascended to the top of the national rankings and made its first-ever trip to the national championship game. He posted 50 ground balls and 43 caused turnovers on the way to receiving the Williams Stiles Award, which recognized the best defenseman in all of NCAA Division III.
 
A native of Cockeysville, Md., Plantholt graduated from Gettysburg with a degree in psychology.