College
administrators joined with staff from the MCCC Athletics Department
to celebrate the accomplishments of Mercer's student-athletes
at a breakfast on April 29. Athletics Director John Simone welcomed
attendees, noting that the college will send some 35 talented
athletes on to four-year schools at the end of this semester.
He commended all who attended for a good effort on behalf of the
college.
In her remarks, MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue acknowledged
the demanding schedule that student-ahtletes take on. "We
know the real challenges you face to be good athletes, stay in
shape and also get your class work done. Thank you for representing
the college so well," she said. Second-year students received
MCCC hooded sweatshirts.
Among
the award winners were soccer goalie Heidi Summers, who received
the Female Scholar-Athlete Award, baseball player Jason Zegarski,
who won the Male Scholar-Athlete Award, and tennis player Katrina
Brophy, the recipient of the Dr. Cynthia Schaffer Memorial Scholarship.
Special acknowledgement
went to two soccer players, Amit Abudmad, who was named a First
Team All-American, and Kasey Kenny, who was selected as a Second
Team All-American. Also recognized were women's basketball player
Kiera Boone and men's player Corey Payton, who were chosen for
the All-Region XIX and All-GSAC teams. Sophomore Christian Cox
was selected by Exercise Science faculty member John Kalinowski
for the "Iron Viking" award, given to the athlete who
is most dedicated to maximizing his or her athletic performance.
Highlights
of the Mercer sports program this year included a third place
national finish for the men's soccer team, a Northeast District
runner-up for the women's soccer team, and a trip to the nationals
for the women's tennis team.
In
other recently announced news, In women's softball infielder Jenna
Berger, outfielder Becky Elliott, pitcher Sara Thomas and catcher
Mai'lee Paselio were named to the All-Region First Team, and infielders
Jessica Maciolek and Jackie Laird were named to the All-Region
Second Team. Berger, Elliott, Maciolek, Paselio, and Thomas were
also named to the all-GSAC First Team. In baseball, outfielder
Chris Cox was named to the All-Region and All-GSAC First Teams,
while pitcher Anthony Gambino and infielder Steve Giambrone were
named to the All-Region Second Team. Gambino and infielder Matt
Hill were named to the All-GSAC Second Team.