Mike Powell is the best player in college lacrosse.

The Syracuse University star won the Tewaaraton Trophy that honors the best player in the college game Thursday night in Washington. Powell was selected from a final list that included Ryan Boyle (Princeton), Kyle Harrison (Johns Hopkins), Bro die Merrill (Georgetown) and Jed Prossner (North Carolina). He can now claim a collection of the trophies, having won the Tewaaraton as a sophomore in 2002.

Powell's parents, Sue and Larry, and his girlfriend attended the ceremony, held at The National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium.

"I was really excited just to be a part of the event," Powell said late Thursday night. "It was an honor just to be on the list of nominees. And I'm very excited to have won the trophy."

Powell, 21, will leave a daunting legacy at SU.

In his four seasons in Orange, he compiled a school-record 307 points, breaking the former record of 287 held jointly by his older brothers Casey and Ryan. A four-time first-team All-American, Mike Powell joins an elite list in that category that includes Doug Turnbull (Johns Hopkins 1922-25), Frank Urso (Maryland 1973-76) and Del Dressell (Hopkins 1983-86).

He has also won three Turnbull Awards that honor the nation's top attackman. The Turnbull winner has yet to be announced this year.

This season, Powell accumulated a career-high 89 points to aid Syracuse's run to a national championship. Monday's 14-13 win over Navy provided Powell with his second championship ring in three seasons.

Earlier Thursday, the Baltimore Bayhawks made Powell the No. 1 pick in the Major League Lacrosse draft. Powell, however, maintains he needs a break from the game and will not play this summer.

© 2004 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.