ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HOSTS 2011 AWARDS NIGHT

May 5, 2011

The Emmanuel Athletic Department hosted its annual Awards Night and Dessert Reception on Saturday night, April 30th, in Marian Hall on the campus of Emmanuel College. Team members from each of Emmanuel's sixteen varsity athletic teams, as well as the Dance and Cheerleading squads were recognized. Sport-specific academic and athletic awards were presented to student-athletes on each of the teams and senior-athlete awards, as well as a freshman of the year award, were presented at the conclusion of the ceremony. Senior women's basketball team captain Kristin LeBel addressed the audience with a thoughtful, articulate and inspiring speech that wrapped up a very memorable evening.

Emmanuel College's Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Rissmeyer opened the night by welcoming everyone to the celebration of Emmanuel's individual student-athletes, teams and coaches. Emmanuel's Director of Athletics Pam Roecker highlighted several amazing team performances including, the women's basketball team winning its 5th-straight GNAC championship and making the program's 16th trip to the NCAA tournament, the men's volleyball team setting another program-record for wins in a season (28) and making its 4th trip to the NECVA Tournament in five years, the women's volleyball and women's soccer teams advancing to the GNAC semifinals and the debut of the Emmanuel's newest varsity sport, women's lacrosse, which won three games in the team's inaugural season.

Throughout the evening, the head coach of each sport presented five different awards to members of his or her team. The awards included: a Coach's Appreciation Award, a Most Improved Player, an Unsung Hero, an Academic Achievement Award and a Most Valuable Player. The Athletic Department also presented major awards to twelve individual student-athletes. These awards, which are highly competitive, were voted upon by all of the Emmanuel coaches and full-time staff members. The following student-athletes received major awards at the 2011 Emmanuel College Athletic Awards Night.

Nathan Bruno was named Emmanuel's 2011 Freshman of the Year. This award is given annually to the freshman student-athlete who has provided the greatest contribution to the athletic reputation of Emmanuel College. Bruno is a three-sport athlete at Emmanuel, competing in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. He was a consistent top-five finisher on the Saints Cross Country Team this Fall. He set the Indoor Track program records in the 500 and 600 meters and was a member of the record-breaking 4 x 400 meter relay team. Bruno was just Emmanuel's 2nd-ever male athlete to earn All New England honors for Indoor Track. He placed 13th overall in the 500 meters at the ECAC Indoor Championships. He then went on to smash the Outdoor Track school record in the 400 meter hurdles and is currently ranked 6th in New England. He also holds the Emmanuel record for the 800 meters and is ranked 19th in New England in that event. Bruno qualified and will compete over the next two weeks in both the Division III New England and ECAC Championships.

Assistant Athletic Director and Head Athletic Trainer Ron Laham presented two Senior Perseverance Awards to student-athletes who showed great determination in overcoming physical setbacks during their collegiate careers. Through hard work and dedication, both Erin Hanlon (Women's Soccer) and Pamela Mobley (Women's Basketball) overcame the challenges set forth and successfully returned to athletic competition.

Maureen Kellett was awarded the Senior Scholar Athlete Award, which is given annually to a senior athlete who has excelled in the classroom, while competing in intercollegiate athletics. Kellett has been a three-sport athlete for the past four years, competing in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. She is the captain of all three sports. She has previously received the Academic Achievement Award for all three teams. Kellett helped the Women's Cross Country Team to be recognized by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as one of the All-Academic Teams for the past two seasons. She is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and holds an incredible four-year cumulative grade point average of 3.98.

The Department selected two recipients for the Senior Unsung Hero Award, which is given annually to a senior athlete who has exhibited leadership, dedication, and athletic achievement in quiet ways, which may have gone unrecognized throughout his or her career. The co-winners were Megan Harrington and Casey Shevlin.

Megan Harrington has been a two-sport athlete competing on both Women's Tennis and Women's Lacrosse. She was voted captain of both teams. Harrington transferred to Emmanuel as a sophomore and immediately impacted the Women's Tennis Team, playing both singles and doubles for the Saints. She was a GNAC All-Conference selection last year and has been on the Academic All-Conference Team for the past three years. Harrington was asked to play on the newly added lacrosse team this spring, tried out and became the team's starting defenseman. She received the Academic Achievement Award for both teams this year. She is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Casey Shevlin has been a four-year player and three-year starter as a point guard for the Women's Basketball Team. She was one of the team's captains this year and led the squad to GNAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances all four years, while winning over 80 games in her collegiate career. Shevlin is one of Emmanuel's and the GNAC's all-time leaders in assists. "Casey has never gotten the publicity that other players on my team received, because she is more concerned about getting the ball to our scorers and playing great defense, in order for our team to win," commented Head Coach Andy Yosinoff, who presented Shevlin with her award.

Senior Sportsmanship Award was presented to Keoni Rabaino. This award is given annually to the senior athlete who has conducted his or herself in the highest manner on the playing field, including interactions with players, coaches, and officials. Rabaino has been a four-year starter for the Men's Volleyball Team. He is a two-time GNAC All-Conference selection and has been a solid contributor to our athletic program for the past four years. In addition to his athletic contributions, his coaches call Keoni the "ultimate sportsman, always willing to lend a hand to help anyone and at any time." Rabaino has often been seen working athletic events or helping out with set-up and breakdown at games. He was voted to the GNAC's Sportsmanship Team this season. Rabaino has been a great ambassador for the Men's Volleyball program, the Athletic Department and for Emmanuel College.

The Athletic Department voted to honor two seniors with Senior Leadership Awards. This award is given annually to a senior athlete who has distinguished his or herself by demonstrating the qualities desired to lead successful teams throughout his or her athletic career. This year's winners were Jake DeLuise and John Hieber.

Jake DeLuise has been a four-year starter and three-time team captain for the Men's Volleyball Team. He led the Saints to back-to-back record-breaking seasons. He has been an incredible leader both on and off the court, with the ability to communicate effectively with both coaches and players. DeLuise has earned the respect of his peers, his coaches and the Emmanuel athletic staff and community. Off the court, he organized and led all of the team's fundraising efforts. On the court, he was voted the 2011 GNAC's Defensive Player of the Year and set the Emmanuel record for digs in a season.

John Hieber has been a three-sport-athlete at Emmanuel, competing on the Men' Soccer, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Teams. Hieber has been a sprinter and mid-distance runner for the indoor and outdoor track teams and a four-year starter as a defender on the Men's Soccer Team and captain of the team this year. Administratively, was a huge help to the soccer program, as he coordinated preseason and away-game meal money and lunches, coordinated practice times, organized the distribution of practice gear, and generally did a great deal of the team administration. Hieber is a leader both on and off the field and track, leading both vocally and by example. He is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Pam Roecker closed out the award ceremony by presenting three Senior Athletic Achievement Awards. These awards are given annually to a senior athlete who has excelled on the playing field and provided the greatest contribution to the athletic reputation of Emmanuel College. The recipients of these prestigious awards were Amber Di Nucci, Curtis Abram and Kristin LeBel.

Amber Di Nucci has been a four-year starter for the Women's Soccer Team. She is Emmanuel's all-time leader in assists. Di Nucci holds program-records for assists in a single season (17) and assists in a career (42). She scored her 50th career goal this year. She is four-time 1st Team All-GNAC selection. She was named the GNAC's Rookie of the Year as a freshman, while also receiving Emmanuel's Freshman of the Year Award. Di Nucci was named the GNAC Player or Rookie of the Week six times over the course of her career. She was voted All-New England Region as a junior. She led the Saints to a GNAC Championship in 2007 and led Emmanuel to the GNAC Finals and to the ECAC Tournament as a sophomore and junior.

Kristin LeBel has been a four-year starter for the Women's Basketball Team and was one of the team captains this year. She led her teams to four-straight GNAC titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances. LeBel scored her 1,000th career point as a junior and finished her career as Emmanuel's 6th all-time leading scorer and the GNAC's 12th all-time leading scorer. She is a three-time All-Conference selection. She was named the GNAC Player of the Week four times over her career and was named the ECAC New England Player of the Week as a junior. LeBel was a Capital One Academic All-America Nominee this year. She finished 9th in the GNAC for three-pointers made in a career. She is three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference selection. She led the Saints in free throw percentage for four-straight years. LeBel is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee

Curtis Abram has been a four-year starter for the Men's Volleyball Team. He is a three-time GNAC All-Conference selection. He was voted 1st Team All-GNAC and 1st Team All-North East Collegiate Volleyball Association this year. Abram has been named the GNAC Player of the Week nine times over his career and was named the AVCA National Player of the Week as a junior. He will graduate as Emmanuel's all-time leader in kills. He holds six different program records at Emmanuel including kills in a match (37), kills in a season (517), kills in a career (1,662), aces in a match (10) and aces in a single season (100), as well as the outdoor track & field record in the javelin (163'10"). Abram has been named to six different All-Tournament Teams over his career. He led his team to a program-record for wins in a season with 28 this year. Abram is also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

The complete list of award winners from the 2011 Emmanuel Athletics Awards Night is as follows:
MEN'S SOCCER Coach's Appreciation Award - Jesse Tannetta Most Improved Player - Johnathan Benevides Unsung Hero - John Hieber Academic Achievement Award - Jesse Tannetta Most Valuable Player - Kevin Shirley

WOMEN'S SOCCER Coach's Appreciation Award - Kelsey Fitzpatrick Most Improved Player - Shawn Crifo Unsung Hero - Kristen Baker Academic Achievement Award - Taylor Whitehill Most Valuable Player - Brittany Ridge

MEN'S GOLF Coach's Appreciation Award - Daniel Ferdenzi Most Improved Player - Rob Cavaliere Unsung Hero - Melanie Dean Academic Achievement Award - Michael Delsignore Most Valuable Player - Nicholas Cyrus

WOMEN'S TENNIS Coach's Appreciation Award - Megan Harrington Most Improved Player - Lauren Lesko Unsung Hero - Alexandra Shakra Academic Achievement Award - Megan Harrington Most Valuable Player - Taylor Dey

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Coach's Appreciation Award - Alison Lynch Most Improved Player - Maureen Kellett Unsung Hero - Julie Young Academic Achievement Award - Maureen Kellett Most Valuable Player - Joslyn DelSignore

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Coach's Appreciation Award - Wesley Cowles Most Improved Player - Ben Cleveland Unsung Hero - Stephen Armstrong Academic Achievement Award - Stephen Armstrong Most Valuable Player - Abdi Ibrahim

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL Coach's Appreciation Award - Kathryne Olsen Most Improved Player - Moriah Logan Unsung Hero - Yun-Ting Lee Academic Achievement Award - Samantha Andazola Most Valuable Player - Rebecca Stanton

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL Coach's Appreciation Award - Jake DeLuise Most Improved Player - Cam Todd Unsung Hero - Nick Updike Academic Achievement Award - Sean O'Connor Most Valuable Player - Curtis Abram

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Coach's Appreciation Award - Carla Andre Most Improved Player - Fiona O'Dwyer Unsung Hero - Breanna Ockimey Academic Achievement Award - Kristin LeBel Co-Most Valuable Players - Casey Shevlin & Meghan Kirwan

MEN'S BASKETBALL Coach's Appreciation Award - Steve Bankert Most Improved Player - Connor Morgan Unsung Hero - Tony Carter-Hill Academic Achievement Award - Tony Carter-Hill Most Valuable Player - Xavier Everson

WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD Coach's Appreciation Award - Irene Limlengco Most Improved Player - Kathleen King Unsung Hero - Lauren Atkins Academic Achievement Award - Maureen Kellett Most Valuable Player - Katasi Kulubya

MEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD Coach's Appreciation Award - Gregory Brown Most Improved Player - John Hieber Unsung Hero - Andrew Heath Academic Achievement Award - Jordan Coulombe Most Valuable Player - Nathan Bruno

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD Coach's Appreciation Award - Joslyn DelSignore Most Improved Player - Julie Young Unsung Hero - Nathalie Victoria Academic Achievement Award - Maureen Kellett Most Valuable Player - Lauren Atkins

MEN'S TRACK & FIELD Coach's Appreciation Award - Jordan Coulombe Most Improved Player - Andrew Heath Unsung Hero - Abdi Ibrahim Academic Achievement Award - Jordan Coulombe Most Valuable Player - Ben Cleveland

WOMEN'S LACROSSE Coach's Appreciation Award - Megan Harrington Most Improved Player - Allie Bleier Unsung Hero - Jenny Konecnik Academic Achievement Award - Megan Harrington Most Valuable Player - Logan Carr

SOFTBALL Coach's Appreciation Award - Jennifer Garrity Most Improved Player - Chelsey Guselli Unsung Hero - Kathryn Copp Academic Achievement Award - Kathryn Copp Most Valuable Player - Kelly Lloid

CHEERLEADING Coach's Appreciation Award - Rachel Walsh Unsung Hero - Lisa Garcia Academic Achievement Award - Gretchen Skarpos

DANCE Coach's Appreciation Award - Kara Cann Most Improved Player - Merlyne Pierre Unsung Hero - Amanda Sheehan Academic Achievement Award - Amanda Sheehan Most Valuable Player - Nadiya Ledan

"The President's Cup" was awarded to the Emmanuel Women's Tennis Team for posting the highest cumulative grade point average during the fall semester this year. The 2010-11 Tennis Team combined for a 3.52 cumulative GPA. The team members receiving the President's Cup included: Kate Biffinger, Christine Cuddemi, Taylor Dey, Megan Harrington, Jenny Konecnik, Lauren Lesko, Jenna Reid, Lindsey Rogers, Brittany Rothstein, Alexandra Shakra, Erin Thornton, Victoria Trull and Amanda Woznicki