A MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR...
August 17, 2016 With the 2016-17 academic year fast approaching, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on the 2015-16 academic year by sharing with you this year-in-review which you will find on the following pages. In many respects, 2015-16 represented a watershed moment for Wagner Athletics, both in the classroom and in competition. I’m proud to report that the Wagner College women’s water polo team earned the highest grade point aver-age (GPA) in the nation for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC), as this fabulous group of student-athletes attained a national-best 3.61 GPA in the classroom, which heads a list of 44 institutions from around the country. Additionally, Wagner College recorded the highest GPA in four sports at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. The four Seahawk teams which garnered the top GPA in their respective sports were football (3.014), men’s indoor track & field (3.382), men’s outdoor track & field (3.382), and women’s swimming & diving (3.568). In the winter, the Seahawk men’s basketball team galloped to the Northeast Conference (NEC) regular sea-son championship, the program’s first since 2002-03, and went on to post the program’s first-ever postseason victory, an impressive 79-75 NIT win at St. Bonaventure. In the spring, three Seahawk teams – Water Polo, Women’s Lacrosse and Men’s Golf, claimed conference championships and went on to represent the NEC in NCAA competition. For the water polo team, it marked the program’s third consecutive MAAC Championship. For the second straight season, Jess Lundgren, from Queensland, Australia, was named a 2016 ACWPC All-American Honorable Mention, becoming the first Seahawk to garner multiple All-America honors. Recently graduated women’s swimming and diving standout Amanda Lucia, from Easthampton, MA, has been nominated for the NCAA’s prestigious Woman of the Year Award which honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leader-ship. Lucia was previously named NEC Female StudentAthlete of the Year and graduated cum laude this past May with a 3.55-GPA as a nursing major. She was a four-year member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll, the 2014-15 NEC Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and finished with a 4.0 GPA in her final semester as an undergraduate. Additionally, Lucia was an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. In the pool, Lucia won the 200 Butterfly and 400 IM at the 2016 NEC Championships and added a second place in the 100 Butterfly. More recently, swimmer Dorian McMenemy represented the Dominican Republic in the 50m freestyle event at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, competing in her second Olympic Games, after becoming the first female swimmer to represent the Dominican Republic at the London Olympics in 2012. In the ensuing pages, you’ll also see the list of 71 student-athletes named to the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll for achieving a 3.75 or higher GPA and who are among the 230 Seahawk student-athletes who made the NEC Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.2 GPA. I look forward to continuing to lead this fine athletic department for a 36th season as Athletic Director in 2016-17. Go Seahawks!
ACADEMIC SUCCESS Four Wagner Teams Earn Top GPA In NEC The Northeast Conference (NEC) recognized the teams that complied the highest grade point average in their respective sports as Wagner College claimed the highest GPA in four sports at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. The four Seahawk teams which garnered the top GPA in their sports were football (3.014), men’s indoor track & field (3.382), men’s outdoor track & field (3.382), and women’s swimming & diving (3.568). “I am extremely proud of the amount of hard work, time and effort our student-athletes put into the classroom and their studies and salute, in particular, the members of the football, men’s outdoor track & field and the swimming & diving team for earning the top GPA in their respective sports” said Walt Hameline, Wagner College Director of Athletics. “It’s great to see them recognized by the NEC for their commitment and dedication to being successful academically.”
MAAC Champion Water Polo Team Leads Nation In Team GPA For Fifth Consecutive Year The Wagner College women’s water polo team earned the highest grade point average (GPA) in the nation for the fifth consecutive year, the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) announced. In addition to attaining a national-best 3.61 GPA in the classroom, which heads a list of 44 institutions from around the country, in the pool the 2016 Seahawks claimed the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship, and accompanying NCAA Tournament appearance, for the third consecutive season. Eight Seahawks were named to the 2016 ACWPC All-Academic List, led by five student-athletes who are in the “Outstanding” category: Elise Begg, Emily Riddle, Lily Doerfler, Megan Rodriguez, and Kimberly Watson. Lacey Anderson and Jess Lundgren were placed in the “Superior” category while Erica Hardy was named to the “Excellent” category.
Swimming & Diving Recognized By The CSCAA For Sixth Consecutive Season In order to be recognized as a NCAA Division I ScholarAthlete All-American team, a teams must earn a combined grade-point average of 3.00 or higher. In 2015-16, six of the nine teams from the Northeast Conference (NEC) were represented on the list, with Wagner, under the direction of head coach Colin Shannahan, leading the way by achieving a 3.52 GPA, followed by LIU Brooklyn at 3.39 and Sacred Heart at 3.32. Rounding out the NCAA Division I Scholar-Athlete AllAmerican teams from the NEC were Saint Francis U, at 3.26, followed by Mount St. Mary’s (3.18) and Bryant, who checked in with a 3.08 GPA.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS Amanda Lucia Named NEC Female Student-Athlete of the Year The Northeast Conference (NEC) named Amanda Lucia of the Wagner women’s swimming and diving team the 2015-16 NEC Female Student-Athlete of the Year. The honor recognizes individual excellence in both the academic and athletic settings as well as leadership and involvement in the community. This marks the fourth consecutive year that a Wagner athlete has earned Student-Athlete of the Year (Phil Faccone, Football, 201415; Meredith Ketchmark, 2013-14; Swimming; Steve Cioicci, Football, 2012-13).
Charlton Boyd Voted To 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-District™ At-Large Men’s Team The 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Men’s At-Large Teams were announced on May 13, recognizing the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Sophomore Charlton Boyd of the Wagner men’s tennis team earned a spot on the District 1 First-Team, joining nine studentathletes from the district while being the lone representative from a tennis program.
Megan Fritz Named NEC Women’s Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year Junior midfielder Megan Fritz was named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league announced today. In the classroom, Fritz carries a 3.96 grade point average as a business administration major and has been named to the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (3.75 GPA or higher) for three straight years.
BASEBALL
Ben Ruta Drafted By The New York Yankees In The 2016 MLB Draft Senior outfielder Ben Ruta was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft. With his selection, it marks the second consecutive season in which a Seahawk player heard his name in the draft. Ruta now joins former teammates Nick Dini (2015, 14th round, Kansas City Royals), Nolan Long (2015, 16th round, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Ian Miller (2013, 14th round, Seattle Mariners) as recent players to be taken while playing for head coach and 2015 Northeast Conference Coach of the Year, Jim Carone. On July 14, Ruta was promoted from the Pulaski Yankees and became the first Seahawk to play for the Staten Island Yankees.
Total of Five Players Garner All-Northeast Conference Accolades; Ruta Tabbed To First Team; Capra, Goeke, Hunt, and Mascelli Earn Second Team Honors For the second straight season, five members of the Wagner baseball team earned All-Northeast Conference (NEC) accolades. Senior outfielder Ben Ruta was tabbed to the First Team for the second consecutive season. Senior reliever Nathan Hunt, junior starting pitcher Austin Goeke, junior shortstop Nick Mascelli and freshman designated hitter Phil Capra were all selected to the Second Team. The four Seahawks named to the Second Team mark a program high for second-team selections. The previous best was three, last accomplished in 2010 when Vin Avella, Seth Boyd, and David Rees garnered second team honors. Last season, Wagner had a program-record five NEC First Teamers.
Head Coach Jim Carone Becomes Fourth Seahawk Coach To Post 100 Career Wins In Program History In completing a four-game sweep of the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers in late March, 2015 Northeast Conference (NEC) Coach of the Year, Jim Carone, became the fourth coach in Wagner baseball history to amass 100 career victories, joining Joe Litterio (240), Herb Sutter (149) and Rich Vitaliano (120) as the only coaches to reach the 100+ career win mark.
MEN’S BASKETBALL Men’s Hoops Claims First-Ever Postseason Victory; Defeats Top-Seed St. Bonaventure, 79-75, In NIT First Round The Wagner men’s basketball team built a 14-point halftime lead and withstood a late St. Bonaventure rally in earning a 79-75 victory over the Bonnies of the Atlantic 10 Conference in the first round of the 2016 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in front of a loud, raucous crowd at the Reilly Center. In recording the first postseason victory in school history, which came over the No. 1-seeded Bonnies, the eighthseeded Seahawks moved on to the second round of the tournament and squared off against Creighton University of the Big East.
2015-16 Northeast Conference (NEC) Coach of the Year, Bashir Mason, Named A Finalist For the 2016 Ben Jobe Award Wagner head men’s basketball coach Bashir Mason was selected as a finalist for the 2016 Ben Jobe Award, as announced by CollegeInsider.com. The Ben Jobe Award is presented annually to the top minority coach in Division I men’s basketball. For Coach Mason, who was tabbed the 2015-16 Jim Phelan Northeast Conference (NEC), Coach of the Year, it marks the second time in his four years at the helm that he is a finalist for this award, as he was nominated back in 2012-13, his first at Wagner.
Bashir Mason Named 2015-16 Jim Phelan Northeast Conference Coach Of The Year; Carey & Henson Named To Second Team The Northeast Conference (NEC) announced that head coach Bashir Mason was named the 2015-16 Jim Phelan Coach of the Year. Additionally, junior guard Michael Carey and sophomore wing Corey Henson were tabbed to the AllNEC Second Team.
Men’s Basketball Claims Its Second-Ever Northeast Conference Regular Season Title With 69-54 Win Over Saint Francis U Wagner clinched the Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season title with a 69-54 victory over the Saint Francis U Red Flash on February 25. It marks the Seahawks’ second regular season crown in program history, the first coming back during the 2002-03 season when the Jermaine Hall-led Seahawks concluded with a 14-4 league mark and a 21-11 overall record en route to the NEC Tournament crown.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Jasmine Nwajei Named AP Honorable Mention All-American Jasmine Nwajei, who scored a school-record 2,076 points in three seasons and captured the NCAA scoring title with a 29.0 points per game average, received Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention honors. A 2015-16 First-Team All-Northeast (NEC) Conference selection, and Second-Team All-ECAC choice, the 5-8 Nwajei completed her milestone junior season with an NEC and school single-season scoring average of 29.0 ppg., including a conference-record 33.6 average in NEC play. For the season, Nwajei poured in an NEC single-season record 841 points.
Women’s Basketball Team Members Take Part In Unity Games Members of the Wagner women’s basketball program donated their time to the Unity Games, an ever-growing, two-day event which uses basketball as a vehicle to bring seventh and eighth graders of different races and cultures together for a free weekend of activities promoting racial tolerance and understanding. Here on Staten Island, the 14th edition of the Unity Games, featuring a record turnout of more than 300 kids, was held on March 12-13 with Susan Wagner High School utilized as the central hub.
Nwajei Named Third-Team All-Met By Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Nwajei, the NCAA’s scoring champion, was named ThirdTeam All-Met by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association back on April 14.
Heather Jacobs Named Ninth Women’s Basketball Head Coach Heather Jacobs, who has built a pair of championship programs during her nine-year coaching career, was formally introduced as the ninth head women’s basketball coach in Wagner College history on April 20 at a press conference held at the Spiro Sports Center on campus.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Men’s Cross Country The men’s cross country team finish in the top three in conseuctive meets last season, placing second at the Monmouth Inivtational back on September 12 and a third-place performance at the Leeber Invitational held on September 26. At the 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships, the team finished eighth with As he has done the majority of the year, sophomore Joseph Abbatiello paced the Seahawks recording a time of 26:55.5 on the 8K course to claim 23rd. Freshman Matthew Whalen and senior Darius Moulton claimed 41st and 42nd with times of 28:16.3 and 28:19.2 respectively. Fellow freshman Dan Ziebarth along with sophomore Jack Schnorbus rounded out the Green & White competitors. Ziebarth claimed 47th with a time of 28:51.2 while Schnorbus finished 51st with a mark of 30:45.3
Women’s Cross Country Junior Nicole Bell placed 127th out of 256 competitors at the 2015 NCAA Division I Northeast Region Cross Country Championships, hosted by Boston College. Bell completed the 6K course with a time of 22:59.30. In competing at the 2015 Northeast Region Cross Country Championships, it marks the second consecutive year that she competed at the event and improved her standing this season after placing 172nd in last year’s championship. At the 2015 NEC Cross Country Championships, the Seahawks placed sixth with Bell posting a top-five performance in the meet, coming in fourth with a time of 18:19.9
FOOTBALL Stanford, Williams Sign Reserve/Future Contracts With New York Jets A pair of former Wagner football standouts, Julian Stanford and Dominique Williams, are among 17 players who have signed reserve/future contracts with the New York Jets. “It’s exciting to have two former Seahawks continue their professional careers here in the metropolitan area with the New York Jets,” said Seahawk head football coach Jason Houghtaling. “Julian has played in his share of NFL games and Dominique has been knocking on the door the past couple seasons. They are two of the hardest-working and most productive players that I’ve had the privilege of coaching in my career, and I wish them continued success.”
Jarrid Williams Named MVP Of FCS National Bowl Linebacker Jarrid Williams not only competed in the FCS National Bowl, a senior All-Star game held at FIU Stadium, he took home overall MVP honors. The 6-1, 235-pound outside linebacker recorded seven tackles while registering 2.5 sacks for the American Team in the second annual FCS Bowl, held on Dec. 6.
Four Seahawks Named To 2015 All-NEC Second-Team Offensive tackle Andrew Oberg, tight end Ryan Owens, defensive end Mike Mentor, and punter Bryan Rafano were among the 25 student-athletes named to the 2015 All-Northeast (NEC) Conference Football Team with each earning Second-Team honors.
VICTORY! Seniors Lead Way For Seahawks In 28-7 Win Over Central Connecticut Senior running back Otis Wright rushed for a career-high 193 yards on 24 carries and senior defensive end Mike Mentor recorded nine tackles to spearhead a defensive effort that produced five sacks and four interceptions as Wagner put it all together in a convincing 28-7 win over Central Connecticut. The win marked the first victory under head coach, Jason Houghtaling.
MEN’S GOLF Men’s Golf Wins 2016 Northeast Conference Championship With Playoff Win Over Bryant! Led by freshman Lucas Moreno, who finished in a tie for third place, and junior Anton Frondelius, who tied for ninth after shooting a final round 70, the Wagner men’s golf team claimed its first-ever Northeast Conference championship, outlasting Bryant on the second hole of a playoff. The Green & White, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Christopher Fourman, a former Seahawk himself, entered the final round of the 54-hole championship at four-under par, nine strokes ahead of Bryant. As the afternoon wore on, the Bulldogs slowly and steadily cut into the Wagner lead, eventually recording the low round of the day, a four-man score of even par 288.
NEC Champion Men’s Golf Team Headed To Albuquerque To Compete In NCAA Regionals In a live announcement made on the Golf Channel, the Northeast Conference (NEC) champion Wagner College men’s golf team learned that they were headed to Albuquerque, NM to compete in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Golf Regional at The Championship Golf Course of the University at New Mexico from May 16-18.
Seahawks Cop Coach Of The Year, Rookie Of The Year, Place Three On Second Team Tuesday, May 17 was a banner day for the Northeast Conference (NEC) champion men’s golf team with the announcement that Christopher Fourman was tabbed Coach of the Year, while freshman Lucas Moreno earned Rookie of the Year, as well as a spot on the All-NEC Second Team alongside teammates Anton Frondelius and Erik Tedfelt, in a vote of the league’s head coaches. This marks the first time that Wagner men’s golf has taken home two of the three NEC individual honors (Bryant’s McKinley Slade is Golfer of the Year), while the five honorees in total are also a program record. For Fourman, who doubles as the Seahawks’ head women’s golf coach, this honor comes one year after he was tabbed the NEC Women’s Coach of the Year and marks the third time that he has earned an NEC Coach of the Year honor as he was also named Women’s Coach of the Year in 2011. Moreno, in winning NEC Rookie of the Year honors, becomes the second straight Seahawk to nab this award as Tedfelt was named the top rookie in 2015. The Bogota, Colombia native held the lead for most of the 54-hole NEC Championship (4/29-5/1) and his eventual tie for third effort spearheaded the Seahawks to their first-ever NEC title as he shot rounds of 70-70-74 in the Championship.
WOMEN’S GOLF Maertz Earns First-Team All-NEC Women’s Golf Honors, Tego Named To Second Team The stellar collegiate golfing career of senior Noelle Maertz was capped off by being named to the 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) Women’s Golf First Team while freshman Pascalle Tego earned All-NEC Second-Team honors. For Maertz (pictured left), one of the most decorated women’s golfers in Wagner history, this marks the third straight season that she has earned All-NEC accolades. As a sophomore in 2014, the Garden State native was a Second-Team All-NEC selection, a precursor to a breakout junior season in 2015 when she became the Seahawks’ first-ever NEC Golfer of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the NEC First Team. Tego (right), who finished second on the team with an 80.3 stroke average, showed a glimpse of her vast potential back in the fall when a final-round 73 sparked a tie for 11thplace finish at the Chesapeake Invitational (9/18 and 9/19). After opening the spring with a tie for 30th at the Kingsmill Invitational (3/27-3/28), Tego finished her freshman campaign with a flourish, recording three consecutive Top-10 finishes.
MEN’S LACROSSE Goalie Matt Sefcik Named To Northeast Conference Men’s Lacrosse All-Rookie Team Freshman goalie Matt Sefcik, who recorded 10 or more saves in nine games this season while helping lead the Wagner men’s lacrosse team to its most wins in program history, was named the 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Rookie Team. Sefcik recorded a career-high 15 saves vs. Saint Joseph’s (4/2) while delivering three 14-save performances - in wins over VMI (3/8) and Sacred Heart (4/16), in addition to the season finale vs. Robert Morris (4/30). His stout play in goal played a pivotal role for Wagner (6-9), which bettered the previous program single-season record of four victories set in 2015. For the season, the Garden State native, who held seven opponents to less than 10 goals, also recorded a .505 save percentage and a goals against average of 10.36 while registering a total of 153 saves. On April 18, Sefcik, who logged 868:35 in net while gaining starts in all 15 games, was named NEC Rookie of the Week for his efforts in the Seahawks’ 11-8 victory at Sacred Heart.
McMenamin Brothers Make NCAA History When the McMenamin brothers each scored a goal in a 7-6 win at VMI on March 8, 2016, NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse history was made as it marked the first time that three siblings had ever notched goals in the same game. For good measure, the brothers, who hail from Longport, NJ and starred together at St. Augustine Prep, accomplished the feat again on March 26, accounting for seven of the Seahawks’ 10 goals in a 10-8 home victory over NJIT. The unprecedented feats by the Seahawk trio, who have played togther throughout their Wagner career, has gained the notice of several media outlets, including the Staten Island Advance, Wagner’s school newspaper, the Wagnerian, as well as their hometown paper, the Press of Atlantic City.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE Women’s Lacrosse Wins NEC Title With 11-7 Win over Bryant To Earn NCAA Championship Berth The third time proved to be the charm for the Wagner women’s lacrosse team as the No. 2 seeded Seahawks won the NEC Championship with an 11-7 win over top-seed Bryant, which had knocked off the Green & White in the league title game each of the last two seasons. In winning its first NEC women’s lacrosse championship game, Wagner is now an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division I Championship.
Gegan Earns Second Straight NEC Midfielder of the Year Award; Tumolo, Rey Named To Second Team Senior Shea Gegan earned her second straight NEC Midfielder of the Year Award, in addition to earning First-Team All-League honors for the third consecutive year, while senior attacker Kimmy Tumolo and junior defender Amanda Rey were tabbed Second-Team All-NEC, in a vote of the conference’s eight head coaches. For Rey, this marks the second year in a row that she has earned SecondTeam All-NEC honors while Tumolu picks up the first All-Conference honor of her career.
Historic Season For Women’s Lacrosse Ends With 17-7 NCAA First-Round Loss To Penn The Northeast Conference (NEC) champion Wagner women’s lacrosse team trailed by just an 8-5 halftime score vs. Pennsylvania before the Quakers pulled away late for a 17-7 win in the first round of the NCAA Championship today at Towson University. The 2016 Seahawks, who became the first team in program history to win the NEC title and advance to the NCAA’s, finish their first season under head coach Katie Rowan with a record of 10-9. While the NCAA Championship is new territory for Wagner, today’s game marked the 10th consecutive season that Rowan has been a part of the NCAA’s as either a player or coach. She previously made the NCAA’s three times during an All-American playing career at Syracuse, and has now reached seven NCAA’s as a coach - four as an assistant at Syracuse, two as an assistant at Albany, and now one in her lone season at Wagner.
WOMEN’S SOCCER Fritz Earns Second Team All-NEC Honors, Viscardi Tabbed To All-Rookie Team Junior midfielder Megan Fritz was named to the 2015 Women’s soccer Second Team All-Northeast Conference (NEC) while freshman goalkeeper Katie Viscardi earned NEC All-Rookie Team honors. Fritz led the squad and set two careerhighs in points (12) and goals (5). She ranked among the top 10 in the NEC for both points and goals. Fritz also tied for second on the team overall in assists with two. In just nine games, Viscardi recorded three consecutive clean sheets in conference play. She earned Defensive Player of the Week accolades two weeks in a row while also being a NEC Rookie of the Week selection. She finished third overall in the conference in goals against average (1.44) and also save percentage (.803).
The Green & White finished with an overall record of 5-12-1 After a slow start into conference play, the Seahawks had to win its remaining four conference games of the season in order to head to the post-season. Wagner rallied out a threegame win streak, before dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Central Connecticut in the regular season finale. The Seahawks’ graduate three seniors this year in forward Samantha Jensen, midfielder Johanna Konrad and defender Victoria Roda. Konrad recorded three goals and an assist to finish second overall on the team in points (7). Jensen posted a goal with two assists for four points while Roda tallied an assist.
SOFTBALL Prihoda Becomes First Seahawk Freshman In 10 Years To Earn FirstTeam All-NEC Softball Honors Karen Prihoda of the Wagner softball team was named First-Team All-Northeast Conference (NEC) in a vote of the conference’s nine head coaches, becoming the first Seahawk freshman to earn First-Team All-league honors in a decade. The last Seahawk freshman to be named First-Team All-NEC was Andrea Lazzari in 2006, before she went on to become Wagner’s all-time leader in base hits and home runs. While starting all 49 games at second base this season, the left-handed hitting Prihoda led the Green & White in three major offensive statistical categories – batting average (.353), which ranked fourth overall in the NEC, base hits (55), which ranked fifth, as well as on-base percentage (.392). In NEC play, Prihoda batted a robust .388 while defensively, carrying a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in conference games, successfully handling 58 chances on 31 putouts and 27 assists. Overall, her fielding percentage was .950.
Morgan Brown Tabbed NEC Pitcher Of The Week Sophomore Morgan Brown (Buckeye, AZ/Verrado) was named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Pitcher of the Week on March 7 after making four appearances at the Hatter Classic, hosted by Stetson University. Brown pitched to a 1.52 ERA on the weekend, going the distance in a 3-1 win over Bethune-Cookman University on the opening day of the tournament, striking out two batters and allowing just one run in 7.0 innings pitched. The sophomore earned her first save of the year the next day, against Bethune-Cookman to earn the sweep over the Wildcats. Brown recorded the save after coming in for relief in the seventh inning to get the final two outs. The game winning out being a strike out to earn the 8-7 victory and the third straight win for the Seahawks. In the last two games of the weekend, which were setbacks to Stetson and Fairfield, Brown pitched 10.2 innings and struck out 10 batters during the span. The last time Wagner garnered a NEC Pitcher of the Week citation was back in April, 2011 when former Seahawk pitcher Judy Betz garnered the accolade.
SWIMMING & DIVING Wagner’s Dorian McMenemy Competed for Dominican Republic in Rio Olympics Wagner College rising sophomore Dorian McMenemy represented the Dominican Republic in the 50m freestyle event at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and finished 55th out of 88 competitors. McMenemy was competing in her second Olympic Games, after becoming the first female swimmer to represent the Dominican Republic at the London Olympics in 2012.
Wagner’s Nihipali Concludes Time At 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Senior-to-be Anu Nihipali made Wagner women’s swimming & diving program history by becoming the first Seahawk to compete at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Nihipali competed with the fastest swimmers in the nation that included the likes of Natalie Coughlin, Missy Franklin, and Katie Ledecky,
Wagner’s Amanda Lucia Named NEC Female Student-Athlete of the Year The Northeast Conference (NEC) named Amanda Lucia of the Wagner women’s swimming and diving team the 201516 NEC Female Student-Athlete of the Year. The honor recognizes individual excellence in both the academic and athletic settings as well as leadership and involvement in the community. This marked the fourth consecutive year that a Wagner athlete has earned StudentAthlete of the Year (Phil Faccone, Football, 2014-15; Meredith Ketchmark, 2013-14; Swimming; Steve Cioicci, Football, 2012-13).
Seahawks Conclude Time At The 2016 NEC Championships With A Second Place Finish Behind CCSU The Wagner College women’s swimming & diving team finished second overall for the second straight year at the 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) Swimming & Diving Championships, scoring a total of 727 points, while Central Connecticut took first with 797 points. The Seahawks set one conference record in the 200 Medley Relay and three school records in the 200 Medley, 200 Freestyle and the 400 Medley relays.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S TENNIS Boyd Earns NEC All-Second Team Honors; Sandy and Kneppelhout Named To All-Rookie Team Sophomore men’s tennis player Charlton Boyd was named to the 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) Second Team out of the Flight No. 4 position while freshmen Dale Sandy and Ilya Kneppelhout garnered spots on the All-Rookie Team. Each of these three players helped the Seahawks reach the Northeast Conference (NEC) semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Baynes Named To 2016 All-Northeast Conference Rookie Team Wagner freshman women’s tennis player Rina Baynes was named to the 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Rookie Team. Baynes becomes the second Seahawk under head coach Adrienn Hidvegi to be named to the All-Rookie squad, joining teammate Samantha Hodges who garnered All-Rookie honors a year ago. In all, Baynes’ inclusion on the All-Rookie team makes her the third Seahawk in program history to be recognized by the conference, joining Hodges and Madalina Voinea, who captured the 1989 Singles “A” Championship. The NEC changed its format to a team flight format in 1999.
MEN’S & WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD Boyd Earns NEC All-Second Team Honors; Sandy and Kneppelhout Named To All-Rookie Team Sophomore men’s tennis player
Charlton Boyd (Shreveport, LA/
Indoor Track and Loyola College Prep)Field was named to the 2016 Northeast Conference
(NEC) Wagner Second Team the Eight track out andoffield Flight No. 4 position while freshmen student-athletes earn AllDale Sandy (Durban, South Africa/ NEC honors. Kersney College Secondary School) and IlyaMoulton Kneppelhout Darius led the(Woubrugge, way for the Netherlands/Scala College Seahawks as he earned Second Team Secondary School) garnered spots honors after finishing second in the on the All-Rookie Team. Each of 800m event with a mark of 1:53.46. these three players helpedof the Moulton was also a member the Seahawks reach the that Northeast distance medley relay team claimed Conference semifinals for the a First Team(NEC) selection after claiming second consecutive year. gold at the championships with a time of 10:15.15.
Joining Moulton on the squad was Matthew Whalen, Quincy Rasin and Joseph Abbatiello. Skylar Johnson was also a Second Team selection in the pole vault after clearing 4.70m.
Baynes Named All-Northeast Rookie Teamas she claimed the crown in the shot put after Zhane Stones wasTo the2016 lone Seahawk to earnConference a First Team nod individually tossing 13.65m.
Wagner freshman Shavel women’s tennis Baynes was named to the A pair of freshmen, Brown andplayer Kenya Rina Hyman earned(Johns All-NECCreek, RookieGA/Chattahoochee) Team honors. 2016 Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Rookie Team. Brown was selected for the 60m and 200m as Hyman was chosen for her performances in the 60m hurdles and 400m. Baynes becomes the second Seahawk under head coach Adrienn Hidvegi to be named to the All-Rookie squad, joining teammate Samantha Hodges (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy), who garnered All-Rookie honors a year ago.
Outdoor Track and Field
In all, Baynes’ inclusion on the All-Rookie team makes her the third Seahawk in program history to be recognized by the conference, joining Hodges andTrack Madalina Voinea, who captured the 1989 Singles “A” Seven Seahawks Earn All-NEC Outdoor & Field Honors Championship. The NEC changed its format to a team flight format in 1999. Wagner’s Second-Team All-League honorees were junior Nicole Bell in the 5,000m, senior Danielle Iacampo in the steeplechase and junior shot-putter Zhane Stones. Earning NEC All-Rookie accolades were freshmen Shavel Brown in the 200m and Kenya Hyman in the 400m. Senior pole vaulter Skylar Johnson delivered a second-place finish at the 2016 NEC Championships by clearing 4.70m en route to All-NEC Second Team honors. Freshman Lutfi Pocesta earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team by virtue of a 49.15m effort in the hammer throw, which was good for a fourth-place finish that garnered five points for the Seahawks.
WOMEN’S WATER POLO Women’s Water Polo Defeats Marist 8-5 To Claim Third Consecutive MAAC Championship The #19 Wagner (29-9, 12-0 MAAC) women’s water polo squad defeated Marist (16-18, 9-3 MAAC) 8-5 to capture their third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship. With the victory the Green & White have automatically qualified for the 2016 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament. After falling behind early, Wagner would rally off three goals before the halftime break as MAAC Offensive Player of the Year Jess Lundgren found the back of the net twice with sophomore Elise Begg adding a score herself. Senior Lily Doerfler and Begg would each add a score a piece in the final two minutes of the contest to firmly but the game out reach as the Seahawks would claim their third consecutive MAAC title by a score of 8-5.
Jess Lundgren Earns Second Straight ACWPC All-American Honors For the second straight season, Jess Lundgren has been named a 2016 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) AllAmerican Honorable Mention, becoming the first Seahawk to garner multiple AllAmerica honors. Lundgren is one of 32 collegiate women’s water polo players to be named honorable mention and is part of an elite group of just 55 student-athletes that can call themselves 2016 ACWPC All-Americans. The 2016 NCAA Champion University of Southern California (USC) Trojans took home top honors as Stephania Haralabidis was named Player of the Year while Jovan Vavic was tabbed Coach of the Year. Lundgren was the top playmaker all season for the Seahawks, accumulating a league-best 207 points en route to her second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Offensive Player of the Year award. She also earned a spot on the All-MAAC First Team for the fourth consecutive season.
Women’s Water Polo Falls 7-4 To #13(T) San Diego State In NCAA Tournament Play-In Game The #18 Wagner 29-10, 12-0 MAAC) women’s water polo team dropped a 7-4 decision to #13(T) San Diego State (18-16) in an NCAA Tournament Play-In game matchup held at UC San Diego and had its season come to an end. Junior goalie Emily Riddle recorded six saves during the game including a massive stop in the fourth on a semi fast break. Wagner out shot San Diego State 25-20 however Mitchell registered 11 blocks for the Aztecs. The Seahawks 29 wins this season set the school record while the senior class set a new standard with 104 wins over their four year careers.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
WAGNER FEATURED STORIES Lucia Nominated For NCAA Woman Of The Year Award Recently graduated women’s swimming and diving standout Amanda Lucia has been nominated for the NCAA’s prestigious Woman of the Year Award. Lucia is one of two Northeast Conference (NEC) student-athletes nominated for the award along with LIU Brooklyn volleyball player Adriana Vinas Joy. The NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership. Lucia becomes one of 517 student-athletes nominated for the award, 231 of which come from other Division I institutions. The top 10 nominees per division will be selected in September, with the winner being announced at the awards dinner in Indianapolis on Sunday, October 16. “We are extremely proud of Amanda and her accomplishments as a student-athlete at Wagner over the past four years,” said Wagner Senior Associate Athletic Director Peg Hefferan. “Her achievements in academics, athletics and in the community set her up to be very successful and I know she will represent the Seahawk family well in her future endeavors.”
Men’s Basketball Travels To Costa Rica The defending Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season champion Wagner men’s basketball team travelled to Costa Rica from Aug. 4-9, where the Seahawks competed in two exhibition games while taking in a variety of cultural experiences in the Central American country as part of an early start to the 2016-17 season. “We wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to travel during the summer, especially for our new group,” said Wagner head coach Bashir Mason, who guided the Seahawks to a 23-11 record and was named 2016 NEC Coach of the Year. “Our team will have several newcomers and returnees who will be thrust into new roles, and this trip will give our coaching staff a look at possible lineups and combinations. “I believe this trip will also help our team foster a bond with another while allowing our guys to learn about and experience another culture,” Mason added. “On top of all that, we’re going to face top competition. This trip is a real positive for our program, and we’re very excited.
Turf Installation Completed
At
Hameline
Field
Just a few weeks before the Seahawks’ football and women’s soccer teams reported for training camp in preparation for the 2016 season, the installation of the new turf at Hameline Field is complete. The replacement at the Seahawks’ home field is part of the Wagner College Stadium Expansion Project, which is set to provide more space and functionality for all of Wagner’s 22 athletic programs. Apart from a new turf field, the project brings new locker rooms, training rooms, a new training facility and an equipment room to Grymes Hill. The new layout will allow the athletic department to operate more efficiently.
WAGNER COLLEGE HALL OF FAMERS
On September 19, the six-member 2015 Seahawk Hall of Fame Class, comprised of Amber (Klock) Clarke (Class of 1986, Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track), Frantz Pierre-Louis (Class of 1999, Men’s Basketball), Jimmy Nix (Class of 1980, Football), Nia Ryan (Class of 2000, Women’s Basketball), Chris West (Class of 1989, Football) and Fred Williamson (Class of 1964, Contributor), was formally inducted during a ceremony in the Spiro Sports Center. The Hall of Fame, in 2015, is in its 25th year of nominating, selecting and displaying those Wagner athletes and contributors who have distinguished themselves as extraordinary representatives of the Green & White. With the addition of these six inductees, the number of members in the Wagner Hall of Fame will grow to 171, each representing the best among the thousands of student-athletes and supporters who have contributed to the Wagner College Athletic Program.
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE COMMISSIONERS’ HONOR ROLL FALL COMMISSIONER’S HONOR ROLL
WINTER COMMISSIONER’S HONOR ROLL
SPRING COMMISSIONER’S HONOR ROLL (CONTINUED)
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY JUSTIN BEDARD ALFRED WILLIAMS DANIEL ZIEBARTH
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL JACQUELYN DLUHI LYNDSAY ROWE
BASEBALL PAUL MAMMINO TREY NICOSIA FREDERICK SABIDO
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY FLORINA JAJAGA AUDRA VINIOTIS FOOTBALL JOHN ACQUAVIVA JOHN BLATCHFORD JASON CLAS TRAVIS EDMOND BRIAN GEHRING BRADLEY HUDIK RILEY MAGNER TIMOTHY MAHER BRANDON SEARLES CHRISTOPHER WOODARD WOMEN’S SOCCER KARISSA BOURBEAU PAIGE CHALADEK GABRIELLE DAVIS MEGAN FRITZ SYDNEY MCNUTT KATELYN MURPHY JACQUELINE OTAKE JESSICA WILM
SWIMMING & DIVING KATJA CLAESSON MICHELLE DETKA IMAN EULINBERG KIRSTY HESSING MEN’S TRACK & FIELD HAMZA AHMED JUSTIN BEDARD DANIEL ZIEBARTH WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD ELISSA DIKUN COURTNEY TITUS
MEN’S GOLF CONOR MCKIERNAN OSKAR SUNDBERG WOMEN’S GOLF PASCALLE TEGO MEN’S LACROSSE OMAR ALHAGIKO KEVIN GRAY MICHAEL MCMENAMIN PATRICK MCMENAMIN JACOB PAWELA LINDSAY BLEISTEIN WOMEN’S LACROSSE ALEXIS FERRO CAROLYN MARRON JESSICA ROBERTS MEN’S TENNIS CHARLTON BOYD ILYA KNEPPELHOUT ERIC POLAND DALE SANDY WOMEN’S TENNIS RINA BAYNES SAMANTHA HODGES AVIKA SAGWAL MEN’S TRACK & FIELD HAMZA AHMED JUSTIN BEDARD DANIEL ZIEBARTH WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD ELISSA DIKUN COURTNEY TITU SOFTBALL MORGAN BROWN MCKALEIGH GOODALE ERICA KRUMBINE MADISON MARABLE MEGAN MOORE KAREN PRIHODA BRIANNA TREDWAY WOMEN’S WATER POLO ELISE BEGG LILY DOERFLER EMILY RIDDLE
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL NORTHEAST CONFERENCE FALL ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY JUSTIN BEDARD DARIUS MOULTON JACK SCHNORBUS ALFRED WILLIAMS DANIEL ZIEBARTH WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY NICOLE BELL FLORINA JAJAGA AUDRA VINIOTIS FOOTBALL JOHN ACQUAVIVA JOHN BLATCHFORD MICHAEL BLOND JEFFREY BOST FRANK CALCUTTA JASON CLAS ANDREW CORDANI AQEEL DANIELS-LUNDY LUCAS DEPOFI TRAVIS EDMOND JESSE FLAHERTY BRIAN GEHRING BRADLEY HUDIK TYLER LOFTUS MATHIEU LOISELLE GRANT LUDGAR JAMES LYNAGH RILEY MAGNER TIMOTHY MAHER LUKE MASSEI JULIAN MCCLEOD EVERETT MINCHEW RYAN MONAGHAN JAMES MURPHY DANIEL O’NEILL JUSTIN OSUJI RYAN OWENS NICHOLAS PADRON BRYAN RAFANO BRANDON SEARLES QUINN SKILLIN ALEX THOMSON JOSEPH WIGHTMAN CHRISTOPHER WOODARD KRISTIAN WREDSTORM ANDRE YEVCHINECZ WOMEN’S SOCCER PEYTON BECK KARISSA BOURBEAU AMANDA BUCK PAIGE CHALADEK AMBER COCA GABRIELLE DAVIS JESSICA DONNELLY MEGAN FRITZ SAMANTHA JENSEN JOHANNA KONRAD SYDNEY MCNUTT KATELYN MURPHY JACQUELINE OTAKE VICTORIA RODRIGUEZ
WOMEN’S SOCCER (CONTINUED) TAYLOR SACKARIS KATHERINE VISCARDI JESSICA WILM NORTHEAST CONFERENCE WINTER ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL COREY HENSON GREGORY SENAT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL JACQUELYN DLUHI JORDYN PECK SOFIA ROMA LYNDSAY ROWE MARGARET BAIRD LEAHI CAMACHO KATJA CLAESSON ERICA CURRY MICHELLE DETKA IMAN EULINBERG ERIN FINN KIRSTY HESSING KARA LACOSTE SAMANTHA LAVRICH WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING AMANDA LUCIA ERIN MALONE DORIAN MCMENEMY MADISON MCNICHOL MEGHAN MENDEZ KAITLIN MURTHA CORINNE RONDINA MARGARET SHAW KRISTINE SULLIVAN MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD HAMZA AHMED JUSTIN BEDARD JOSEPH CRISPI MICHAEL HENRICH SKYLAR JOHNSON DARIUS MOULTON JACK SCHNORBUS THOMAS SCHWANNECKE DANIEL ZIEBARTH NICOLE BELL MADISON COOPER WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD ELISSA DIKUN BRIANNA HOFFMAN KENYA HYMAN DANIELLE IACAMPO JOHANNA KONRAD ARIANNA TEAGUE COURTNEY TITUS MELANIE TRINKWALD
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE SPRING ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL BASEBALL BRENDAN BENECKE PHILIP CAPRA BRAD CURRAO NATHAN HUNT JOHN LYNN PAUL MAMMINO DANIEL MARSH NICHOLAS MASCELLI DOUGLAS MOLNAR MATTHEW MORRIS TREY NICOSIA NICHOLAS PAVIA ANTHONY PECORA BENJAMIN RUTA FREDERICK SABIDO JAMES WISE MEN’S GOLF JOHN DEFINO CONOR MCKIERNAN OSKAR SUNDBERG ERIK TEDFELT WOMEN’S GOLF KYRA ALEXANDER ARIANA FURRIE ALEXANDRA LECLAIR PASCALLE TEGO MEN’S LACROSSE OMAR ALHAGIKO WILLIAM BATTAGLIA SPENCER BEYER EVAN CLARK TYLER CROPLEY CONNOR DAVIS PAUL DEVITA TANNER DIXON KEVIN GRAY SEAN GRAY DANIEL HUGHES SPENCER KAUFMAN MICHAEL MCMENAMIN PATRICK MCMENAMIN WILLIAM MCMENAMIN TYLER MILLER ANDREW PARK JACOB PAWELA MATT SEFCIK ANDREW TIRELLI DANIEL VALENCIA NOAH WOLTHAUSEN WOMEN’S LACROSSE LINDSAY BLEISTEIN LUCY DARLINGTON MEGAN DRUM GRETCHEN FAY KELSEY FEE KATELYNNE FERRARO ALEXIS FERRO SHEA GEGAN MARGARET JENT CAROLYN MARRON SARAH MCGEE
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL NORTHEAST CONFERENCE SPRING ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL (CONTINUED) VICTORIA MCGRATH KIRSTEN MONTE TAYLOR PASTORE KATELIN QUIGLEY ANNA BELLE REILLY AMANDA REY JESSICA ROBERTS VICTORIA ROSS ALEXIS TRUXILLO WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD NICOLE BELL ELISSA DIKUN BRIANNA HOFFMAN KENYA HYMAN DANIELLE IACAMPO FLORINA JAJAGA SAMANTHA JENSEN JOHANNA KONRAD GAIL MAHONEY ARIANNA TEAGUE COURTNEY TITUS MELANIE TRINKWALD SOFTBALL MORGAN ALMODOVAR TAYLOR BEESON BRENDA BOTT MORGAN BROWN JESSICA CARLUCCI DREW DUFFY HANA GILBERT MCKALEIGH GOODALE CAMILLE KIYOTA ERICA KRUMBINE MADISON MARABLE GINA MASSARO
SOFTBALL (CONTINUED) MEGAN MOORE KAREN PRIHODA MAITE REECE LAUREN SERRATO BRIANNA TREDWAY WOMEN’S TENNIS RINA BAYNES CAROLYN GIBSON JENNA HARRIS SAMANTHA HODGES MADISON PAUTSCH MARINA RULL VALVIESO AVIKA SAGWAL WOMEN’S WATER POLO LACEY ANDERSON ELISE BEGG LILY DOERFLER ERICA HARDY NATALIE KAYTON SARAH LIMANNI JESSICA-LEE LUNDGREN GABRYEL OLOAPU EMILY RIDDLE MEGAN RODRIGUEZ AMANDA SUTHERLAND NICOLE WALLACE ANNA WARD KIMBERLY WATSON
NEW TO WAGNER COLLEGE FOR 2016-17 Heather Jacobs, who has built a pair of championship programs during her nineyear coaching career, has been named head women’s basketball coach at Wagner College. Widely regarded as a rising star in the coaching profession, Jacobs has served the last six seasons as head coach at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, where she led the Panthers to unprecedented success during her tenure.
Wagner College President Dr. Richard Guarasci announced the addition of men’s water polo and women’s fencing as varsity sports, each of which will begin competition in the 2016-17 academic year. With the addition of these two sports, the number of sports offered by Wagner will increase to 22.
UPCOMING EVENTS...
Travel with the Seahawks Follow Wagner Football to their non-conference away games!
September 24 at Boston College October 29 at UMass Contact Info: Contact the Athletics Marketing Office at 718-420-4008
Wagner Athletics Ticket Office 718-420-4039
27th Annual Sal Alberti Memorial Golf Classic
_________________________________________ Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2016 Time: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Location: Trump National Golf Club (One Trump National Boulevard, Colts Neck, NJ) Questions: Contact the Athletics Marketing Office at 718-420-4008 All are invited to experience a great day at a fabulous course for a tremendous cause in memory of a truly great son of Wagner College. Alberti ‘57 served Seahawk athletics in many capacities for nearly 40 years and was inducted into the Seahawk Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.
Give to Wagner Athletics
Your support is integral to Wagner’s success Thank you for investing in Wagner College! “To learn how you can travel with the Seahawks, join the Sal Alberti Memorial Golf Clasic or give to your favorite Athletics team, contact the Athletics Marketing Office at 718-420-4008”