(Photo: WRA Lacrosse)

Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) defenseman/LSM Aiden Bodonyi is staying in his home state to play for Nick Myers and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The junior announced his decision on Instagram on Wednesday morning, becoming the first commitment in the 2023 class following the contact period opening up at Midnight.

A Hudson, Ohio, native, the tall and rangy pole showcases a skillset that could see him play either close defense of LSM at the next level. Bodonyi mostly played LSM for the Pioneers this past spring, making an especially big impact in the middle of the field playing on the faceoff wings and helping to spark transition offense.

Bodonyi, who along with fellow Pioneer defenseman/LSM Ty Banks made up one of the best defensive duos in the class and nation this past spring, helped lead the Pioneers to a 14-4 record. He was named an All-Midwest Honorable Mention.

The junior is the second commitment out of Dylan Sheridan’s WRA program for the Buckeyes over the past few cycles, joining 2022 midfielder Blake Eiland. Additionally, Bodonyi is the third defenseman Ohio State has grabbed out of their home state over the past three cycles, joining incoming freshman Matthew Mercer out of Centerville (Ohio) and 2022 commit Griffin Liedel out of Hudson (Ohio).

Bodonyi has a twin brother, Jaxson, who plays midfield for WRA.