_______________
Western
New England College
"The Home of the Golden Bears"
LINKS
Western New England College - Athletic News
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES HONORS NCAA DIVISION III TOURNAMENT TEAMS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 10, 2002) — At its annual meeting on campus Tuesday, Western New England College's Board of Trustees honored three Golden Bears teams who participated in their first NCAA Division III Tournaments last spring.
Presenting the proclamations were board chairman Thomas Burton '70 to the men's lacrosse team, Brian P. Trelease '67 to the women's lacrosse squad, and Alfred A. Lariviere '51 to the softball team.
All three squads won conference championships to advance to their respective national tournaments.
Western New England College's athletics department thanks College president Anthony S. Caprio and the Board of Trustees for their sincere support of the intercollegiate athletics program.
SOPHOMORES KEVIN LEONARD AND JENNIFER McCORMICK SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 10, 2002) — Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury, MA) of the ice hockey team and Jennifer McCormick (Cheshire, CT) of the women's swimming squad were honored Tuesday (Dec. 10) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Leonard, a sophomore forward, scored two goals and had an assist in a 5-2 win over Assumption College that was only the Golden Bears' second win over the Ice Dogs in 18 meetings. He also scored a goal in a 5-2 loss at Stonehill College. Leonard, a computer information systems major, leads the team in scoring with 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists).
McCormick, a sophomore, placed second in the 400-yard individual medley with a school record time of 5 minutes, 22.07 seconds at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship. She also finished third in the 100 butterfly (1:08.41) and third in the 200 breaststroke (2:48.46) events, and swam the third leg on the 200-medley relay team that took second in a school record time of 2:01.94. With McCormick helping to lead the way, WNEC placed second in the team standings for the second straight year. McCormick is an education/psychology major.
Western
New England College Fall Sports Banquet
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002
List of Award Recipients
Men's
Cross Country
Most Valuable Runner — Senior Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT).
Coaches
Award for Leadership — Seniors Jon Harris (Monson, MA) and
Dave Vigliano (Ludlow, MA).
Women's
Cross Country
Most Valuable Runner — Senior Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA).
Most
Improved Runner — Junior Leanne Polidoro (Adams, MA).
Unsung
Hero — Junior Emily Thomas (East Sandwich, MA).
Field
Hockey
Most Valuable Player — Senior Teresa DeLucca (Red Hook, NY).
Unsung
Hero — Senior Kara Acken (Dover Plains, NY).
Rookie
of the Year — Freshman Alyssa Katz (Cortlandt Manor, NY).
Football
Offensive Most Valuable Player — Sophomore Mike Laroche (Berlin,
CT).
Defensive
Most Valuable Player — Senior Dom Sondrini (Dalton, MA).
Coaches
Award for Contributions to the Team — Senior Scott Hurlbut
(Mecklenburg, NY). Jimmy Geyer Award for Courage and Leadership —
Senior Anthony Verdile (East Longmeadow, MA).
Men's
Soccer
Offensive Most Valuable Player — Freshman Mike Schnepp (Feeding
Hills, MA).
Defensive
Most Valuable Player — Senior Nathan Soucy (Gilford,
NH).
Ed
Lindsey Freshman Award — Freshman Scott Meikle (New Milford,
CT).
Women's
Soccer
Most
Valuable Player — Senior Molly Burke (Westfield, MA).
Offensive
Most Valuable Player — Senior Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton,
MA).
Defensive
Most Valuable Player — Sophomore Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA).
Women's
Tennis
Most Valuable Player — Junior Jacqueline O'Brien (Belchertown,
MA).
Coaches
Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence — Sophomore Adrienne
Nardelli (Wolcott, CT).
Rookie
of the Year — Freshman Monica Machon (Ellsworth, ME).
Women's
Volleyball
Most Valuable Player — Senior Brenda Post (Groton, CT).
Unsung
Hero — Senior Sarah Lerz (Wolcott, CT).
Most
Improved Player — Senior Nicole Holquin (Springfield, MA).
A
VIEW FROM THE TOP
Student-Athletes
Voices Heard on National Level
By
MIKE RAYMOND '02
NCAA
Division III Student Athlete Advisory Committee member
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 6, 2002) — Many people would have a hard time believing this, but the NCAA itself really doesn't have all that much power at all. It's not just a bunch of people sitting around an office in Indianapolis, Indiana and making decisions for everyone to follow.
No, the NCAA is much more than that.
It is a member-driven organization, an example of democracy. All of the major committees are made up of representatives from different institutions across the country. When decisions are made, legislation is passed, sanctions are levied, etc., it is the entire country that is reaching those conclusions.
And I am proud to say that the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee is front and center while all this is occurring.
The National SAAC is split into three parts, one for each NCAA Division. As incoming vice-chair of the Division III component, I have seen during my tenure what the student athletes are capable of accomplishing on the national level. My first meeting was the 96th NCAA Convention in Indianapolis, and I witnessed first hand how much influence student-athletes have on legislative decisions.
The committee takes a position on every proposal, and then speaks to some of them on the floor of the Division III meeting. When student-athletes approach the microphone, all of the Division III membership sits at attention. That attention will be much needed once again at the 2003 Convention.
The National SAAC, after hearing feedback from student-athletes across the country, will stand in opposition to the proposal set forth that would further limit the amount of time student-athletes can spend practicing and playing their sport.
The "Playing and Practice Seasons Model" is the hottest topic on the agenda this January, and National SAAC will be at the forefront of the opposition. When not dealing with NCAA legislation, Division III SAAC keeps its plate full.
One of the primary responsibilities of committee members is to foster successful communication from the campus level on up. The process begins with the individual student-athletes and their teams, progresses to campus SAAC's, then to conference SAAC's, then up to the National level.
Each committee member represents two conferences in Division III. Each member receives feedback on important issues by attending those conference meetings when they are held. Likewise, members of conference SAAC's gain their feedback from the individual institutions.
The "trickle-up" effect is a very positive avenue of communication for Division III student-athletes, and a way for everyone to have a voice on the national level.
Another main area Division III SAAC is currently working in is the Regional Leadership Conferences. Stemming from an idea that National SAAC had two years ago, the Regional Leadership Conference are opportunities for Division III student-athletes from across the country to augment their leadership skills as well as explore Division III issues and learn about SAAC. The first conference was held this past November in the Northeast Region and was a tremendous success.
Overall, National SAAC is one of the most important components in the NCAA structure. The student-athletes that sit on the committee deals with issues on the national level as well as foster communication with every other student-athlete in the country. The NCAA exists to promote student-athlete welfare as well as to enhance the student-athlete experience in college, and National SAAC remains a key body in that process.
(Mike Raymond is a former captain of the Western New England College men's tennis team. A native of Vernon, Connecticut, he is presently attending graduate school at the College while serving as the school's assistant men's tennis coach.)
JOHN GLEASON NAMED ASSISTANT MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 5, 2002) — John Gleason of Northampton, Massachusetts has been named assistant men's basketball coach at Western New England College.
Gleason is a 2002 graduate of Springfield College where he was a two-time New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Star selection. Gleason played a guard position for the Pride and scored 1,059 points during his sensational four-year career. He holds the school records for career three-pointers (217), three-pointers in a season (91), and three-pointers in a game (10).
Gleason earned his bachelor of science degree in sport management and is pursuing a master of science degree in education at SC. He was a Dean's List student who was selected Who's Who Among University and College Students. Gleason previously served as an intern with the Boston Celtics and Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association.
Western New England College posted a 16-10 record last year for its fourth consecutive winning season under Coach Doug Pearson. The Golden Bears placed first in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division with a 9-4 mark and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
MARY ROMANO NAMED ASSISTANT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 5, 2002) — Former Mount Holyoke College standout Mary Romano of Chicopee, Massachusetts has been named assistant women's basketball coach at Western New England College.
Romano earned a bachelor of arts degree in neuroscience and behavior at MHC in 2000. She was a two-time New England WomenÕs and MenÕs Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Academic honoree and a Seven Sister Scholar-Athlete. Romano received the school's Merrill Prize for Excellence in English.
At present, Romano is attending graduate school at the University of Massachusetts.
Western New England College posted a 20-8 record last year, which tied the school record for wins. It also was the Golden Bears' third straight winning season under Coach Wendy Davis.
BASKETBALL STANDOUTS KRIS HEBERT AND EMILY SWARD SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 3, 2002) — Basketball standouts Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA) and Emily Sward (Plainville, CT) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Hebert, a senior forward, scored a career high 26 points in a 97-88 loss against Wesleyan University in the season opener. He was 9-of-14 from the field and 8-of-12 from the foul line. Hebert also contributed a game high 12 rebounds with three blocks and two steals. A team co-captain, he is an accounting major. WNEC (0-1) hosts Fitchburg State College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 3).
Sward, a junior point guard, averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 steals in a 2-1 week. She also was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Keene Holiday Invitational. Sward scored 18 points, including the last three of the game, in a 72-70 road win against WPI. She also added 16 points in a 63-54 victory over Worcester State College. Sward is an elementary education major. WNEC (3-1) hosts Fitchburg State College at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 3).
WNEC SENIOR JACQUIE BAILEY NAMED TO THE VERIZON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 26, 2002) — Western New England College women's soccer co-captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) was named Tuesday to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America College Division Women's Soccer third team.
Bailey, a senior midfielder, has a 3.88 cumulative grade-point-average in psychology/elementary education.
She is the first WNEC women's soccer player (and sixth student in school history) selected to a Verizon Academic team.
Bailey was one of two players from the New England region earning a spot on the 33-player Verizon Academic Team. Wentworth Institute of Technology junior Sarah Bearse (Tiverton, RI) was a second team honoree.
Bailey was the Golden Bears's second leading scorer with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists) this fall. She was named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) second team and the All-GNAC Tournament squad. Bailey was an All-GNAC first team choice in 2001.
Western New England College posted a 16-7 record for its eighth consecutive winning season and second highest win total in the program's 19-year history. The Golden Bears also repeated as GNAC Tournament champions and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the third time in four years.
Western New England College student-athletes on the Verizon Academic All-America Team
1981
— Roma St. George (Chicopee, Mass.), women's basketball
1982
— Roma St. George (Chicopee, Mass.), women's basketball
1989
— Gary Bourque (Torrington, Conn.), men's basketball
2001
— Laura Sturgis (Westborough, Mass.), women's lacrosse (1st)
2002
— Kate Farry (Pittsfield, Mass.), softball (2nd)
2002
— Marcie Bruder (Keene, N.H.), softball (3rd)
2002
— Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, Mass.), women's soccer (3rd)
SENIOR SUZANNE MONAHAN AND FRESHMAN ANTHONY CORVINO SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 26, 2002) — Swimming co-captain Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ) and wrestling standout Anthony Corvino (Stratford, CT) were honored Tuesday (Nov. 26) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Monahan, a senior, established a pair of school records in two meets last week. She won the 1650-yard freestyle event (19 minutes, 58.79 seconds) in a victory over WPI and took first in the 1000 freestyle (11:55.18) in a win over Gordon College. Monahan is a communications major.
Corvino, a freshman, placed third in the 141-lb. weight class at the Springfield Doug Parker Invitational and fifth in his division at the Roger Williams Invitational. He won four of six matches at the Doug Parker event to improve his record to 12-6. Corvino is a computer science major.
NATHAN SOUCY AND KEVIN LUTTER OF WNEC NAMED TO ALL-GNAC MEN'S SOCCER TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 26, 2002) — Western New England College senior defender Nathan Soucy (Gilford, NH) has been named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer first team. This is the third consecutive year that Soucy has gained all-conference recognition. He was a second team choice in 2000 and 2001.
A team tri-captain, Soucy anchored the Golden Bears' defense that allowed only 25 goals in 23 matches with 13 shutouts.
Sophomore midfielder Kevin Lutter (Downingtown, PA) was selected to the All-GNAC second team. He was second on the squad in scoring with 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists).
Western New England College posted a 13-7-3 record that was the third highest total in the program's 37-year history.
The Golden Bears also captured the GNAC regular season title with a 7-2 mark and participated in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Championship for the second straight year.
WNEC SENIOR MOLLY BURKE RECEIVES SECOND STRAIGHT GNAC WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD
Five Golden Bears named All-GNAC; Ron Dias selected GNAC Coach-of-the-Year
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 19, 2002) — Western New England College senior forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) received her second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) WomenÕs Soccer Player-of-the-Year Award on Tuesday.
Burke also made the All-GNAC first team with junior defender Elaina Johnson (Sandgate, VT) and sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA).
Senior midfielder Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) and sophomore forward Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT) were selected to the All-GNAC second team.
Burke, a team co-captain, led the Golden Bears in scoring with 67 points (27 goals, 13 assists) this past season. She finished her brilliant career with a school record 242 points (100 goals, 42 assists), which ranks eighth on the all-time NCAA Division III scoring list. During the season Burke also became the 10th player in NCAA Division III history to score 100 goals.
Johnson and Vital both made the All-GNAC first team for the second consecutive year after anchoring the Golden Bears defense that allowed only 11 goals during the season. Johnson also contributed eight points (1 goal, 6 assists) while Vital compiled a 0.48 goals-against-average with 14 shutouts.
Bailey was second on the team in scoring with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists). A team co-captain, she was an All-GNAC first team choice in 2001.
Loper was a repeat selection on the All-GNAC second unit after finishing third on the squad in scoring with 22 points (8 goals, 6 assists). She had the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Johnson & Wales University in the GNAC Tournament championship match.
Ron Dias of Western New England College was voted the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year for the second straight season. A native of Ludlow, he has a 122-62-4 record (66.0 winning percentage) in nine seasons.
Western New England College posted a 16-7 record for its eighth consecutive winning season and second highest win total in the program's 19-year history. The Golden Bears also captured the GNAC Tournament title for the second straight year and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the third time in four years.
SOCCER STANDOUTS KEVIN LUTTER AND JESSICA VITAL NAMED WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 19, 2002) — Sophomore soccer standouts Kevin Lutter (Dowingtown, PA) and Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Lutter, a midfielder, scored the winning goal in a 1-0 double overtime victory at MIT in a semifinal match of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament.
An engineering major, he was second on the team in scoring this season with 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists).
WNEC posted a 13-7-3 record and captured the regular season Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title with a 7-2 mark.
Vital, a goalkeeper, made six saves as Western New England College and host Bridgewater State College battled to a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods in a first round match of the NCAA Division III Championship. Bridgewater advanced to the second round on penalty kicks (3-2).
A pharmacy major, Vital compiled a 0.48 goals-against-average with 13 shutouts this fall in gaining All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNC) first team recognition for the second straight year.
WNEC finished with a 16-7 record for its eighth consecutive winning season and second highest win total in the program's 19-year history. The Golden Bears also captured both the regular season and (GNAC) tournament titles for the second straight season, and participated in the national tournament for the third time in four years.
WNEC TRIO NAMED TO VERIZON DISTRICT 1 ACADEMIC TEAMS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 18, 2002) — Western New England College football tri-captain Dom Sondrini (Dalton, MA) and women's soccer co-captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) have been named to the Verizon College Division District 1 Academic First Teams while senior women's volleyball player Nicole Holguin (Springfield, MA) made the Verizon second team. All three are seniors.
Sondrini, a linebacker/defensive end, has a 3.33 grade-point-average in Management. He compiled 48 tackles (22 unassisted) and led the Golden Bears in tackles for losses (13) and sacks (6). Sondrini also received an honorable mention on the New England Football Conference (NEFC). Bailey, a midfielder, posted a 3.88 GPA in psychology/elementary education. She was the team's second leading scorer with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists). Holguin, a middle blocker, has a 3.83 GPA in biology. She recorded 121 kills with 40 service aces this fall.
FIVE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE PLAYERS SELECTED TO NEFC ALL-STAR TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 18, 2002) — Five Western New England College players earned spots on the 2002 New England Football Conference (NEFC) All-Star Team.
Senior linebacker Charles Adams (Reading, MA) made the NEFC All-Star first team after compiling a conference high 92 tackles. He was a second team choice last year.
Senior defensive tackle Scott Hurlbut (Mecklenburg, NY) and senior defensive back John Marine (Hudson Falls, NY) both made the NEFC All-Star second team while graduate student offensive lineman Joe DeMars (Springfield, MA) and senior linebacker/defensive end Dom Sondrini (Dalton, MA) each received an honorable mention.
Hurlbut, Marine, and Sondrini served as team captains this season.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM LOSES ON PENALTY KICKS IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (Nov. 12, 2002) — Western New England College and Bridgewater State College played a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods, but the Golden Bears were eliminated from the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament after losing the match of penalty kicks, 3-2.
Senior co-captain Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) and junior Kelly Quinn (East Longmeadow, MA) each scored to give WNEC a 2-1 lead after the first two rounds of the shoot-out.
BSC (14-5) then went ahead 3-2, but missed its last shot before goalie Maura Cacciatore preserved the win by making the last of three straight saves.
Cacciatore compiled six saves during the game, as did WNEC sophomore Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA).
Western New England College ends its season with a 16-7 record, which are the second most wins in school history. This was the Golden Bears' second straight appearance in the national tournament and third visit in four years.
WNEC STANDOUT BRENDA POST NAMED GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR
Mandee Signor also gains All-GNAC recognition
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 13, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Brenda Post (Groton, CT) was honored Wednesday (Nov. 13) as the 2002 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Player-of-the-Year.
Post, who also was named to the All-GNAC first team, is the first player in school history to receive this prestigious award.
A history major, Post will etch her name in the school record book Sunday (Nov. 17) when she becomes the first Golden Bears' player to participate in the New England Women's Volleyball Association (NEWVA) Senior All-Star Classic at Clark University in Worcester.
Post enjoyed a spectacular season leading the team in hitting percentage (.337), kills (425), and service aces (130). She also became the school's first player to reach 1,000 kills, finishing with 1,224 kills in 113 career matches.
During the year, Post was named to the All-Tournament teams at the GNAC, Plymouth State, Springfield Tom Hay, and WNEC Invitationals. She holds 11 school records.
WNEC sophomore setter Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT) was selected to the All-GNAC second team. A sport management major, she led the Golden Bears in assists (968) and was second in hitting percentage (.279). Signor also was third on the squad in service aces (82).
Western New England posted a 21-13 record this fall, which set a school record for wins in a season (breaking the old mark of 19 set last year). The Golden Bears also tied for first place during the regular season in the GNAC with a 10-1 mark and advanced to the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament.
SOPHOMORES MIKE SZMEITER AND JANA LOPER HONORED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 12, 2002) — Ice hockey standout Mike Szmeiter (Plainville, CT) and soccer star Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT) were honored Tuesday (Nov. 12) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Szmeiter, a sophomore forward, scored two short-handed goals in a 5-2 victory over Nichols College. He also netted the only goal in a 6-1 loss against nationally ranked and defending ECAC Northeast champion Wentworth institute of Technology. He is a computer information systems major. WNEC (1-1) hosts Fitchburg State College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 12).
Loper, a sophomore forward, scored the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Johnson & Wales University in the championship match of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship. She also had the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Norwich University in the conference tournament semifinal game. Loper was named the GNAC Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Nov. 11). She is third on the team in scoring with 22 points (8 goals, 6 assists). WNEC (16-6) will visit Bridgewater State College at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 13) in a first-round match of the NCAA Division III Championship.
KARA ACKEN, TERESA DeLUCCA, AND ALYSSA KATZ GAIN NORTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE FIELD HOCKEY HONORS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 12, 2002) — Three Western New England players have been selected to the 2002 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) All-Star Field Hockey Team.
Senior midfielder Kara Acken (Dover Plains, NY) and senior defender Teresa DeLucca (Red Hook, NY) made the NAC first team.
This was the third straight year that Acken earned All-NAC recognition. She was third on the team in scoring this past season with 22 points (5 goals, 12 assists). DeLucca ranked among the top defensive players in the region.
Freshman forward Alyssa Katz (Cortlandt Manor, NY) was selected to the NAC second team after leading the Golden Bears in scoring with 33 points (11 goals, 11 assists).
All three players also were named to the NAC All-Tournament Team.
Western New England College posted a 12-10 record, which was a school record for wins and the squad's best mark since 1987.
The Golden Bears placed fifth in the conference during the regular season with a 3-2 mark, but placed second in the NAC Tournament. WNEC upset Husson College, Maine (4-3) and defending champion Becker College (1-0) before bowing to the University of Maine-Farmington (5-2) in the championship final.
WNEC VISITS BRIDGEWATER STATE COLLEGE IN NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 11, 2002) — Western New England College will visit Bridgewater State College in a first round match of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship starting at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 13) at Swenson Field in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
The Golden Bears qualified for their second straight national tournament (and third in four years) after repeating as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions following a 1-0 win over Johnson & Wales University in a battle of 2000 and 2001 finalists.
WNEC enters the tournament with a 16-6 record, which is the second highest win total in school history. The Golden Bears have won their last eight matches, all by shutouts.
Senior co-captain Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) enjoyed a record-breaking season after establishing school marks in career points (242) and goals (100). She is only the 10th player in NCAA Division III history to reach the 100-goal mark. Burke, a forward, leads the team in scoring with 67 points (27 goals, 13 assists).
Senior midfielder and team co-captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) is second on the squad with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists).
Sophomore forward Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT) is third with 22 points (8 goals, 6 assists). Loper, the GNAC Player-of-the-Week, scored the winning goal against Johnson & Wales and netted the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Norwich University in a GNAC Tournament semifinal contest.
Freshman midfielder Liz Eldridge (Westboro, MA) enjoyed a fine rookie season by scoring 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists).
Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) has a 0.51 goals-against-average and 12 shutouts. Bridgewater State has a 13-5 record after defeating Framingham State College, 2-0, in the championship game of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference.
The WNEC-Bridgewater State winner will visit Wheaton College (20-1) in a second round contest.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S MEN'S SOCCER TEAM VISITS MIT IN ECAC NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 11, 2002) — Western New England College's men's soccer team will meet MIT at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 13) in a first round match of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament in Cambridge.
This is the second straight year that the Golden Bears have qualified for the ECAC Division III Tournament. WNEC enters the tournament with a 12-6-3 record after losing a match on penalty kicks against Johnson & Wales University in a semifinal match of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament. The Golden Bears captured the regular season GNAC title with a 7-2 mark.
Freshman forward Mike Schneep (Feeding Hills, MA) leads the team in scoring with 21 points (8 goals, 5 assists) while freshman goalkeeper Brian Grimmick (Ballston Lake, NY) has a 0.89 goals-against-average with eight shutouts.
MIT has a 10-6-1 record after dropping a 1-0 decision to Babson College in the championship game of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament.
ADRIENNE NARDELLI NAMED GNAC WOMEN'S TENNIS ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR
Jennifer Kolins (again) selected GNAC Co-Coach-of-the-Year
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 8, 2002) — Western New England College sophomore Adrienne Nardelli (Wolcott, CT) was honored Friday (Nov. 8) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Tennis Rookie-of-the-Year.
Nardelli, an accounting major, compiled a combined 19-5 record in singles and doubles competition this fall. She posted a 10-1 mark at the No. 2 singles position and 6-2 mark at the number one doubles spot during the regular season.
Nardeli also advanced to the finals at the number two singles and number one doubles positions at the conference tournament.
Jennifer Kolins of Western New England College was a repeat selection as the GNAC Women's Tennis Co-Coach-of-the-Year. She shared the honor this season with Allan Freedman of Johnson & Wales University.
WNEC posted a 9-2 record this fall and placed second in the conference during the regular season with a 7-1 mark. The Golden Bears finished second at the GNAC Tournament for the first time in school history.
WOMEN'S SOCCER CO-CAPTAIN JACQUIE BAILEY NAMED TO VERIZON DISTRICT 1 ACADEMIC TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 7, 2002) — Western New England College women's soccer co-captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) was named Thursday (Nov. 7) to the Verizon Academic District 1 College Division Women's Soccer Team.
Bailey, a senior midfielder, has a 3.88 cumulative grade-point-average in psychology/elementary education. She also is the team's second leading scorer with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists).
Bailey's name will now be put on the national ballot with the announcement of the honor squad scheduled for November 26.
WNEC (15-6) will host Johnson & Wales University (14-6-1) in the championship match of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 9.
SENIOR KARA ACKEN AND SOPHOMORE BRAD ESTES HONORED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 5, 2002) — Field hockey standout Kara Acken (Dover Plains, NY) and football player Brad Estes (Madison, ME) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Acken, a senior midfielder, scored the winning goal in a 4-3 victory over Husson College (Maine) in a quarterfinal game of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament. The win gave the Golden Bears an 11-9 record, which is a school record for wins in a season, and assured the team of its first winning season since 1987 (10-6-3). A math major, Acken also was named to the NAC All-Star Team for the third consecutive year.
Estes, a sophomore free safety, compiled seven tackles (four solo) with three fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in a loss against Curry College. He returned two punts for 71 yards and caught two passes for 53 yards. Estes, a math major, also was named to the weekly New England Football Conference (NEFC) honor roll.
MOLLY BURKE REACHES SOCCER MILESTONE FOR GOLDEN BEARS WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 2, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) scored the 100th goal of her career and set a school record for points with 242 in a 3-0 victory over Saint Joseph College (Conn.) Saturday in a quarterfinal match of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Tournament.
The previous record was 241 points set by former teammate Kate Brunelle (1995-98).
Burke became only the 10th player in NCAA Division III history to score 100 goals. A criminal justice major, she leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 67 points (27 goals, 13 assists).
WNEC (14-6) will host Norwich University at 2 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 5) in a semifinal match of the GNAC Tournament.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES LITERACY PROGRAM FOR CITY OF SPRINGFIELD YOUNGSTERS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 30, 2002) — Western New England College's department of athletics will kick-off the inaugural year of its newly-established Golden Bears Literacy Program Friday night (Nov. 1) at its annual Midnight Madness celebration.
"The goal of the literacy program is to collect a minimum of 500 books, which will be distributed to classroom libraries throughout the city of Springfield," said Jennifer Kolins, Western New England College outreach coordinator for athletics. "In addition, the College's athletes will go into schools, read to the students, and promote the importance of reading and education, upon the delivery of the books."
The program started with the idea that each student donates a book at Midnight Madness, an event that marks the opening of the winter sports season at Western New England College. Once word spread around campus, the College's faculty and staff started donating books, and it appears the goal of 500 books will be surpassed.
"This is an unbelievable opportunity for our athletes to make a difference in the lives of local youth. I am overwhelmed at the amount of book donations so far, and our coaches and athletes are very excited to implement the literacy program in our community," added Kolins who also serves as the school's head men and women's tennis coach.
Springfield School Volunteers has helped in bridging the relationship between WNEC and local schools. Not only will the WNEC athletes visit schools, but as incentives for reading, and good attendance, local students will be invited to WNEC athletic events free of charge, participate as ball kids, and take part in sports clinics provided by WNEC athletes.
"The literacy program will be the first of many collaborative projects between WNEC and Springfield school volunteers," noted Cyndi Costanzo, WNEC assistant athletics director. "Potential future projects include WNEC participating in incentive programming to discourage truancy in the public schools. The goal of our student athletes are to serve as role models and leaders in the community, and by action to emphasize the importance of academics for success."
Western New England College is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, the College serves 4,700 students on its main campus and at 17 sites throughout the Commonwealth. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered through the College's Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Law.
MIDNIGHT MADNESS - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday,
November 1, 2002
9:15
p.m. - Doors Open to AHLC (Class registration. children's book collection,
pizza)
9:45
p.m. - Doors Open to Field House
10:00
p.m. - Welcome, Introduction to the Clash of the Classes Competition,
National Anthem, Pep Band
10:07
p.m. - 4+1 Student/Faculty Basketball
10:25
p.m. - Introduction of the Bowling and Martial Arts Teams
10:28
p.m. - Book Relay with the Bowling and Martial Arts Teams
10:31
p.m. - Dash for Cash Promotion
10:35
p.m. - Introduction of Cheerleaders
10:40
p.m. - Introduction of the Women's Swimming Team
10:43
p.m. - Flipper Relay with Women's Swimming Team
10:46
p.m. - Cold Cash Promotion - Round 1 (Obstacle Course)
10:50
p.m. - Introduction of the Women's Basketball Team
10:55
p.m. - 4 Ball Shooting Contest with Women's Basketball Team
11:00
p.m. - Let's Make a Deal Promotion
11:03
p.m. - Introduction of Wrestling Team
11:06
p.m. - Wrestler Relay with Wrestling Team
11:11
p.m. - Pick an Envelope Promotion
11:13
p.m. - DZ Says (4 Minute Running Time)
11:20
p.m. - Introduction of Dance Team
11:26
p.m. - Cold Cash Promotion - Round 2 (Blind Fold Scavenger Hunt)
11:30
p.m. - Introduction of Men's Basketball Team
11:35
p.m. - 3 Point Shooting Contest with Men's Basketball Team
11:45
p.m. - Introduction of Men's Ice Hockey Team
11:50
p.m. - Hockey Shootout with Men's Ice Hockey Team
11:55
p.m. - Cold Cash Promotion - Final Round
12:00
a.m. - Tug-Of-War, Clash
of the Classes Trophy Presentation by WNEC athletics director Mike Theulen.
SENIOR KEVIN BENNISON AND JUNIOR JACQUELINE O'BRIEN HONORED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 29, 2002) — Golf co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) and tennis standout Jacqueline O'Brien (Belchertown, MA) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Bennison, a senior, was the Golden Bears' top performer at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship finishing tied for 31st among 232 players with a two-day total of 156 (79-77) at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster. Bennison also was the medallist at the City of Springfield Championship with a 74 at Veterans Golf Course to help WNEC wins its third straight city title over AIC and Springfield College. A sport management major, Benison had a 78.4 average for 11 rounds this fall.
O'Brien, a junior, compiled a perfect 11-0 record at the No. 4 singles position in her first season on the team. She had a 9-2 mark at both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles positions. O'Brien, a sociology major, also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Tennis Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Oct. 28). WNEC posted a 9-2 record this fall and placed second in the conference for the first time with a 7-1 mark.
In other news, Western New England College senior linebacker Charles Adams (Reading, PA) was named to the weekly New England Football Conference honor roll on Monday (Oct. 28). Adams had a career-high 15 tackles (five solo) with three stops for losses, a sack, and a fumble recovery in a loss against UMass-Dartmouth. Adams is a computer science major.
Western New England College senior co-captain Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) was named Monday (Oct. 28) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week. Burke had a school record 94th career goal and an assist in a win over Westfield State College. She also had the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over conference rival Johnson & Wales University. Burke, a criminal justice major, is second in the conference with 56 points (22 goals, 12 assists). WNEC (12-6) hosts Rivier College at 3 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 30) in the final game of the regular season. The Golden Bears (8-1 GNAC) can clinch first place in the conference and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory.
Western New England College sophomore Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) is first among women's soccer goalkeepers in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a 0.69 goals-against-average. She has allowed only 11 goals in 1,578 minutes and has eight shutouts. Vital is a pharmacy major.
Western New England College freshman goalkeeper Brian Grimmick (Ballston Lake, NY) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Oct. 28). Grimmick, a business major, recorded two shutouts after making seven saves in a 2-0 win over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and five stops in a key 1-0 conference victory over Emerson College. WNEC (11-4-3, 7-1 GNAC) visits Norwich University in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday (Oct. 30). The Golden Bears can win the regular season GNAC title with a win or tie against the Cadets.
SENIOR CAPTAINS JACQUIE BAILEY AND DOM SONDRINI SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2002) — Soccer co-captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) and football tri-captain Dom Sondrini (Dalton, MA) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Bailey, a senior midfielder, scored two goals with two assists in an 8-0 victory over Daniel Webster College. She is second on the team in scoring with 16 points (4 goals, 8 assists). Bailey is a Dean's List psychology/elementary education major. WNEC has an overall 10-6 record and 6-1 mark entering a match Wednesday with conference leader Johnson & Wales University (11-4-1, 8-0).
Sondrini, a senior linebacker, had eight tackles (6 solo) with four stops for losses and three of the team's nine sacks in a 21-0 win at Framingham State College that was the Golden Bears first win of the season in six outings. Sondrini also was named the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Defensive Player-of-the-Week. He is a Dean's List business management major. WNEC (1-5) hosts UMass-Dartmouth (7-0) on Saturday (Oct. 26).
In other news, Western New England College sophomore running back Mike Laroche (Berlin, CT) was named Monday (Oct. 21) to the weekly New England Football Conference honor roll for the third time this season. Laroche had a career high 158 yards rushing and two touchdowns in a 21-0 victory at Framingham State College that was the Golden Bears' first win of the season. He leads the Golden Bears with 464 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Laroche is a sport management major.
Western New England College freshman Nick Day (Springfield, MA) was selected Monday (Oct. 21) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week. Day had one save in recording a shutout in his first collegiate start at Daniel Webster College (1-0 in overtime). Day is a government major. WNEC has a 9-4-3 overall record and is first in the conference with a 6-1 mark.
Western New England College sophomore Adrienne Nardelli (Wolcott, CT) was named Monday (Oct. 21) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Tennis Player-of-the-Week. Nardelli won seven of eight matches at both the No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles positions as the Golden Bears improved their record to 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the conference. An accounting major, Nardelli has an overall record of 15-3 (9-1 ingles, 6-2 doubles).
Western New England College senior co-captain Brenda Post (Groton, CT) was honored Monday (Oct. 21) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Player-of-the-Week. Post, a history major, had 41 kills, 13 digs, eight aces, and five blocks in four matches, including 24 kills against Emmanuel College. WNEC has a 16-10 record and is first in the conference with a perfect 7-0 mark.
MOLLY BURKE SETS SCHOOL RECORD FOR CAREER GOALS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 21, 2002) — Senior co-captain Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) scored a goal and added an assist to lead Western New England College to a 3-0 non-conference victory over visiting Westfield State College Monday at Suprenant Field.
Burke's goal in the 78th minute was the school record 94th of her career, breaking the old mark of 93 set by former teammate Katie Brunelle.
Senior co-captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) and freshman Liz Eldridge (Westboro, MA) also scored for the Golden Bears who improved their record to 10-6. Sophomoe forward Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT) contributed two assists while sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) made six saves.
WNEC hosts conference leader Johnson & Wales University (11-4-1, 8-0 GNAC) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 23).
WNEC MEN'S GOLF TEAM WINS CITY OF SPRINGFIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 18, 2002) — With all five of its players scoring in the 70's, host Western New England College captured its third straight City of Springfield Men's Golf Championship Friday with a season best total of 301 at Veterans Golf Course. Springfield College was second at 331 while Amrican International College was third at 371.
WNEC senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) was the medalist with a season best two-over par 74. Freshman Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) tied for second with a 75 that was his best performance of the season.
The Golden Bears' duo of senior co-captain Paul Winker (West Springfield, MA) and junior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) tied for fourth with 76's. Senior Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY) was eighth with a 77 that was his best showing of the fall.
SENIOR JAMIE CARNEY AND SOPHOMORE JOHN SCHMALBERGER SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Cross country captain Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA — Nauset Regional High School) and soccer player John Schmalberger (Berlin, CT — Manchester East Catholic High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 15) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Carney, a senior, finished fourth among 37 runners at the WNEC Invitational covering the wet 5,000-meter course in 23 minutes, 10 seconds. A biology major, Carney has been the team's top runner in all three meets this fall.
Schmalberger, a sophomore defender, contributed a goal in a 4-0 win over Suffolk University and added an assist in a 2-1 overtime win over host Albertus Magnus College that knocked the Falcons from the unbeaten ranks in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). Schmalberger is a business major.
In other news, Western New England College senior Kara Acken (Dover Plains, NY — Dover Plains High School) was honored Tuesday (Oct. 15) for the second time this season as the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Field Hockey Player-of-the-Week. Acken, a midfielder, scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win at Regis College and had an assist in a 2-1 loss against Manhattanville College. A math major, she is tied for the team lead in scoring with 15 points (4 goals, 7 assists).
Western New England College senior strong safety Anthony Verdile (East Longmeadow, MA — East Longmeadow High School) and sophomore running back Mike Laroche (Berlin, CT — Berlin High School) were named Monday (Oct. 14) to the weekly New England Football Conference honor roll. Verdile had 10 tackles (6 solo) with two stops for losses in a 10-0 loss against MIT while Laroche ran for a career (and game) high 105 yards on 31 carries (3.4 avg.). Laroche leads the Golden Bears with 306 yards rushing in five contests. Verdile and Laroche are both sport management majors.
Western New England College freshman goalkeeper Brian Grimmick (Ballston Lake, NY — Shenendehowa High School) was honored Monday (Oct. 14) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week. Grimmick had nine saves in a 2-1 overtime win at Albertus Magnus College that knocked the Falcons from the unbeaten ranks in the conference. He made three saves in a 4-0 win over Suffolk University for his fifth shutout of the season. Grimmick, a business major, leads the GNAC with a 0.92 goals-against-average in 10 matches (8 starts).
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SENIOR PAUL WINKLER OF WEST SPRINGFIELD MEDALIST AT EPH CLASSIC
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 15, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) fired an even par 71 to win top honors at the Eph Classic Sunday (Oct. 13) at the Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown. Senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY — Cobleskill High School) tied for 15th in the 46-player field with a 77 as the Golden Bears placed sixth among nine schools in the team standings with a 311 that was the squad's second lowest total of the season.
On October 10, Winkler placed second among 54 players with a 74 at the WNEC Invitational at the Veterans Golf Course in Springfield. Bennison tied for 10th with a 78. WNEC finished fourth among 11 teams with a 316. Winkler, a finance major and Dean's List student, has been WNEC's top player in five of six tournaments this season. He leads the Golden Bears with a 77.1 average for eight rounds.
Bennison, a sport management major, also has made significant contributions to the team's success. He has a 79.0 average for eight rounds with a season best score of 76 at both the Skidmore Invitational and ECAC Division III New England Regional Qualifying Tournament.
Western Massachusetts players on the roster include junior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA — Holyoke Catholic High School), sophomores Brian Choquette (Adams, MA — C.H. McCann High School), John Crowley (Monson, MA — Monson High School), Sean Mahoney (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School), and freshmen Brian Coombs (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) and Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA — Agawam High School).
Seniors Jason Hover (Ghent, NY — Chatham High School) and Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY — Somers High School) and freshmen Steve Field (North Dighton, MA — Dighton-Rehoboth High SchooL) and Ryan Finn (Plymouth, MA — Plymouth North High School) round out the squad.
WNEC will host the City of Springfield Championship with AIC and Springfield College beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 18) at Veterans Golf Course. The Golden Bears end their season at the 68th Annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Fall Championship October 20-22 at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster on Cape Cod.
SENIOR BRENDA POST AND FRESHMAN MIKE SCHNEPP SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Volleyball co-captain Brenda Post (Groton, CT — Fitch High School) and soccer player Mike Schnepp (Feeding Hills, MA — Springfield Christian High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 8) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Post, a senior, became the first player in school history to pass the 1,000-kill mark when she had 18 kills in a 3-1 victory over Rivier College. The win gave Western New England College a 12-5 record and moved the Golden Bears into first place in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a 5-0 mark. A history major, Post leads the team in hitting percentage (.339) and kills (212).
Schnepp, a freshman, scored the game-winner in a 1-0 Great Northeast Athletic Conference victory at Rivier College. He leads the team in scoring with 15 points (6 goals, 3 assists). An engineering major, Schnepp also had game-winning goals against Union College and Emmanuel College earlier this season.
In other news, Western New England College senior defensive end Scott Hurlbut (Mecklenburg, NY — Trumansburg High School) was selected Monday (Oct. 7) to the weekly New England Football Conference honor roll. Hurlbut had 13 tackles (10 solo), including three stops for losses and a sack, in a 20-14 overtime loss at Salve Regina University. He is a sport management major.
GOLDEN BEARS ATHLETIC WEB SITE A BIG HIT!
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 2, 2002) — Western New England College's athletics web site received 81,666 hits during the month of September. This is the highest monthly total this year. The previous high was 71,650 in April. We would like to thank everyone, including alumni (especially Tom Emberley, Kevin Hassett, and Mike Raymond), along with parents of our student-athletes, for your support and interest in our athletics program.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM UNDEFEATED IN GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 1, 2002) — Western New England College's women's tennis team is off to a 4-0 start following an 8-1 win at Emerson College last Saturday in Boston. With the victory, the Golden Bears remained undefeated and tied for first place with Simmons College in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a 3-0 mark.
WNEC's women's tennis program has enjoyed considerable success the last three seasons thanks mainly to the coaching efforts of Jennifer Kolins who joined the coaching staff in 2000. This is the first head collegiate coaching assignment for Kolins who led the Golden Bears to a 9-4 record in her rookie year and a 10-3 mark last fall. WNEC also qualified for the conference post-season tournament both years.
Kolins, who also serves as the school's men's tennis coach, inherited a women's program that posted a 6-5 record in 1999 that was its first varsity season in eight years. She was selected both the 2001 GNAC Women's Tennis and the 2002 GNAC Men's Tennis Coach-of-the-Year.
Kolins is a full-time staff member this year after receiving a grant from the NCAA, which made her the athletics department's Community Outreach Coordinator.
"This is a great time to be a part of the Western New England College athletic program," said Kolins. "Involving the athletes in the community, and the community into our enthusiastic athletics department, is an unbelievably uplifting adventure. Being full time has also allowed me to have a closer connection with my tennis teams," said Kolins.
A native of Philadelphia, Kolins is a 1999 graduate of the University of Hartford where she was a standout performer on the Hawks' tennis team. Kolins was active off the court during her collegiate career, serving as the Diversity Outreach Coordinator at the school while working as a volunteer with children in both the Philadelphia and Hartford Public Schools.
As for this year, Kolins has a nice blend of veteran and first-year players hoping to lead Western New England College to both the GNAC regular season and tournament titles.
The top player is sophomore Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) who is 3-1 at both the No. 1 singles and doubles position. Troiano, who is also a member of the school's softball team, compiled an 11-2 mark at the No. 4 through No. 6 singles positions last year.
Sophomore Adrienne Nardelli (Wolcott, CT) is 4-0 at the No. 2 singles position in her first year with the program. Nardelli also was selected to the school's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is the GNAC SAAC Representative as well.
At the No. 3 singles spot is junior Nicole Tucker (Saugerties, NY) who sports a 3-1 mark. Junior Jacqueline O'Brien (Belchertown, MA) has a 4-0 record at both the No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles positions in her first year on the squad. She was named the GNAC Player-of-the-Week on September 30 after winning three singles and doubles matches last week to improve her overall record to 8-0. O'Brien is a transfer from Assumption College.
Freshman Monica Machon (Ellsworth, ME) and senior co-captain Jessica Fasulo (Medford, NY) each have a 4-0 mark playing both the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots. Machon was the GNAC Rookie-of-the-Week on Sept. 16.
Western New England College has captured 33 of its 36 matches (22-2 singles, 11-1 doubles).
WNEC returns to action with a home conference match at 4 p.m. Monday (Oct. 7) against Pine Manor College.
SOPHOMORE DAN SMITH AND FRESHMAN ALYSSA KATZ SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 1, 2002) — Cross country standout Dan Smith (Enfield, CT— Enfield High School) and field hockey performer Alyssa Katz (Cortlandt Manor, NY — Lakeland High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 1) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Smith, a sophomore, placed third among 52 runners in 17 minutes, 49 seconds for 5,000 meters to help Western New England College finish first among eight schools at the Elms Invitational. Smith is a computer science major.
Katz, a freshman, scored eight points (2 goals, 4 assists) in three contests last week. She had a goal and two assists in a 6-2 win over Nichols College on September 28 that gave the Golden Bears a 6-4 record. Earlier this season, Katz' first collegiate goal was the game-winner in a 1-0 overtime win at Framingham State College. She also had the winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Westfield State College. A marketing major, Katz is tied for second in scoring in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) with 15 points (4 goals, 7 assists).
In other news, Western New England College senior Molly Burke (Westfield, MA — St. Mary High School) was selected Monday (Sept. 30) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week. Burke had 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in two matches last week. She scored five goals and had two assists against Pine Manor College and moved passed the 200-point mark (205) in career scoring. Burke is a criminal justice major.
Western New England College junior Jacqueline O'Brien (Belchertown, MA — Belchertown High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Tennis Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 30) after winning three singles and doubles matches last week. She has a 4-0 record at both the No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles positions in her first year on the squad. O'Brien is a sociology major.
Western New England College men's golf team was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Team-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 30) after winning the ECAC New England Division III Regional Qualifying Tournament at the Holden Hills Country Club. WNEC is seeded second in the ECAC Division III Championship that will be held Oct. 5-6 at the Deerfield Country Club in Brockport, New York.
WNEC WINS ECAC NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III MEN'S GOLF QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT
HOLDEN, Mass. (Sept. 26, 2002) Ń Seniors Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) and Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY), and junior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) each shot a 76 as Western New England College captured the ECAC New England Regional Qualifying Tournament Thursday at the Holden Hills Country Club.
Sophomore Sean Mahoney (Wilbraham, MA) fired a 77 in his WNEC debut as the Golden Bears advance to the ECAC Division III Championship Oct. 5-6 in Brockport, New York.
WNEC had a score of 305 to finish three strokes ahead of Tufts. UMass-Dartmouth (311) was third followed by Salem State (313) and Babson (314) in the 16-team field.
"We grinded through the rain and came up with one of our best performances in a long time," said WNEC coach Bill Downes.
Team Scores Š 1. WNEC 305, 2. Tufts 308, 3. UMass-Dartmouth 311; 4. Salem State 313, 5. Babson 314; 6. Nichols 315; 7. Wentworth 323; 8. Trinity 324; 9. Wesleyan 329; 10. Elms 333; 11. Springfield 334; 12. WPI 337; 13. Worcester State 357; 14. tie between Massachusetts College 362 and MIT 362; 16. Brandeis 363.
SOPHOMORES MIKE LAROCHE AND MANDEE SIGNOR SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 24, 2002) — Football running back Mike Laroche (Berlin, CT — Berlin High School) and women's volleyball player Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT — East Haven High School) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Laroche, a sophomore, ran for a career high 82 yards on 13 carries (6.3 avg.) and scored two touchdowns on a pair of one-yard runs in a 26-25 loss against Fitchburgh State College.
Signor, a sophomore setter, compiled 74 assists and 10 service aces in a 2-1 week. She had 32 assists and 12 digs vs. Emerson College, and six aces against Southern Vermont College.
Laroche and Signor are both sport management majors.
HOMECOMING EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, SEPT. 21
10
a.m. - Field Hockey vs. Lasell
11 a.m. - Men's Soccer vs. Johnson & Wales
1 p.m. - Women's Volleyball vs. Emerson
1:30 p.m. - Football vs. Fitchburg State
5 p.m. - Women's Volleyball vs. Southern Vemont
Bonfire
to Kickoff 2002 Homecoming Weekend
By
DARRYL KONICKI '03
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 19, 2002) — The Sport Management Association of Western New England College will sponsor a Homecoming Bonfire and Pep Rally for the fall sports programs starting at 8 p.m. Friday (September 21) at the Tundra.
This is an annual event at the College that seems to get bigger every year along with the success of the fall sports teams. This year the Master of Ceremonies will be senior Joe Gworek and quest speakers will be Athletics Director Mike Theulen and Head Football Coach Gerry Martin. The event will also include contests and performances by the WNEC Pep Band.
FIVE FORMER WNEC STANDOUTS AND A COACHING LEGEND NAMED TO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Fourth Induction Ceremony Scheduled for September 21
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2002) — Five former outstanding student-athletes and a coaching legend will be inducted into the fourth annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 21, during Homecoming Weekend.
Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and present men's golf coach William Arthur (Red) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.
The Class of 2002 features Peter M. Black '87, men's lacrosse; Joy E. Clark '95, women's basketball/soccer; Alan J. Fabian '89, baseball; Brian J. Solomon '84 and his brother Gary J. Solomon '86, both wrestling, and former coach Patrick A. Ricci.
Black, a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is fourth on the school's all-time scoring list with 152 points (99 goals, 53 assists). As a junior, he set school records for points in a season (54) and goals in a game (eight vs. Nichols College). Black, an attackman, was a four-time Pilgrim League All-Star and an All-New England performer his senior year. He served as a team captain of the 1987 squad that captured the league tournament title and was a New England East-West Senior All-Star Game selection. Black, a three-time team MVP, earned his bachelor science degree in management. He resides in Simsbury, Connecticut.
Clark, a native of Agawam, Massachusetts, ranks among the top women's soccer players in school history. She was a three-year starter at a sweeper position and a team captain her senior season. Clark was named to the New England Women's Athletic Conference (NEWAC) All-Star Team. She also contributed 21 points (8 goals, 5 assists) during her career. In basketball, Clark was a four-year performer at a guard position. She is third in career three-pointers (80), and fifth in both assists (260) and steals (213). Clark earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering. She resides in Middletown, Connecticut.
Fabian, a native of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, compiled a school record .377 career batting average in four years, including a .414 mark his junior season. A catcher, he was named to several All-Star teams, including the 1986 All-New England squad. Fabian also played in the 1986 New England All-Star Game at Fenway Park. He holds numerous other school records, including career marks for hits (144), runs-batted-in (126), and home runs (24). Fabian earned his bachelor of science degree in computer information systems. He resides in Youngsville, Louisiana.
Gary Solomon was a four-time NCAA Division III/NAIA All-American in the 190-lb. weight class and a four-time New England Division III champion at both 177 and 190. He also was a two-time national academic award winner, a two-year team captain and twice the squad's and New England Division III Tournament MVP. This past winter Solomon was inducted into the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Division III Hall of Fame. A native of Southington, Connecticut, Solomon earned his bachelor of science degree in computer information system. He resides in Durham, Connecticut.
Brian Solomon was a two-time All-America selection after placing second in the 167-lb. weight class at the 1984 NCAA Division III Championship and fifth at 158 pounds at the 1982 NAIA Tournament. He was twice a New England Division III champion and the 1982 tournament MVP. Solomon also was a three-time team MVP and a national academic award recipient in 1983 and 1984. A native of Southington, Connecticut, he earned his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He resides in Plantsville, Connecticut.
Ricci is the winningest baseball coach in school history with a 205-174-3 record from 1974-81 and 1983-87. His teams participated in 10 NAIA Tournaments while winning three District 5 playoffs. Ricci was twice named NAIA District 5 and Area 8 Coach-of-the-Year, and was a former president of the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association. Ricci coached numerous All-Stars, including Alan Fabian who also will be inducted into the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame. A native of Port Chester, New York, Ricci also was the first women's soccer coach in school history compiling a 15-11 record in 1984 and 1985. He led the Golden Bears to a 12-5 mark and a second place showing in the NAIA Eastern Regional playoffs in only their second year of competition. Ricci also coached the women's tennis team at Western New England College for two seasons (1978, 1979). The former Longmeadow resident now resides in San Diego, California.
BILL DOWNES GUEST OF HONOR AT FOURTH ANNUAL WESTERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF TOURNAMENT SEPTEMBER 18
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 16, 2002) — The fourth annual Western New England College Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at the Crestview Country Club in Agawam.
The guest of honor at this year's tournament will be coaching legend Bill Downes who has been a member of the Golden Bears athletics staff for 34 years.
Although he officially "retired" in 1999, Downes continues to serve as the school's men's golf coach. The Downes Athletic Hall of Fame also is named in his honor. During his tenure at Western New England College, Downes coached men's basketball and men's soccer compiling over 100 victories in each sport. He also was a member of the teaching faculty and numerous organizations.
"Coach Downes is one of the athletic department's top goodwill, ambassadorsÓ said Mike Theulen, Western New England College director of athletics. "He has been an integral part of the success we have seen over the years and his impact on the lives of our student-athletes has been outstanding."
There will be a buffet luncheon starting at noon followed by a shotgun tee-off at 1:00 p.m. in the scramble format. Prizes will be awarded for the low gross and low net winners, closest to the pin, straightest drive, and longest drive. Players will be able to purchase raffle and mulligan tickets. The raffle and auction follow the tournament.
All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Western New England College athletics department. For further information, please call (413) 782-1202.
SENIORS MOLLY BURKE AND PAUL WINKLER SELECTED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2002) — Women's soccer captain Molly Burke (Westfield, MA — St. Mary High School) and men's golf captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 17) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Burke, a senior forward, scored three goals in a 3-0 win over Plymouth State College in the Plattsburgh Cardinal Classic. She also added the winning assist in a 1-0 overtime victory at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Burke also was named to the Cardinal Classic All-Tournament Team.
Winkler, a senior, was the Golden Bears' top player at the Duke Nelson Tournament in Middlebury, Vermont. He had a two-day score of 159 (79-80) that tied for 44th place in the 123-player field. WNEC tied for 15th among 25 schools in the team competition.
In other Western New England College news,
WNEC freshman women's tennis player Monica Machon (Ellsworth, ME — Ellsworth High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 16). She started her collegiate career by winning her No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles matches in an 8-1 victory over Saint Joseph College (Conn.).
WNEC senior women's soccer defender Jessica Hulsey (Springfield, MA — Central High School) was named to the Plattsburgh Cardinal Classic All-Tournament Team.
WNEC senior women's volleyball captain Brenda Post (Groton, CT — Fitch High School) was named to the WNEC Invitational All-Tournament Team. She leads the Golden Bears in hitting percentage (.290) and kills (99), and is second in service aces (27) through nine matches.
SENIOR TOM MICHAUD AND FRESHMAN JILLIAN BROWN SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 10, 2002) — Men's cross country runner Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT — Manchester High School) and field hockey player Jillian Brown (Plymouth, MA — Plymouth North High School) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 10) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Michaud, a senior, made a strong showing in his first varsity race by finishing 50th among 131 runners at the Amherst Invitational. He led the Golden Bears with a time of 29 minutes, 59 seconds over the five-mile course. Michaud also serves as a captain of the WNEC men's tennis team.
Brown, a freshman goalie, made an impressive collegiate debut by compiling a remarkable 94.3 save percentage in two games. She had five saves in the first half in a 1-0 overtime victory over Framingham State College. Brown then made 28 saves in a 3-2 loss (in a game decided on penalty strokes) at No. 7 Springfield College in earning a spot on the Springfield Invitational All-Tournament Team.
In other Western New England College news, women's volleyball senior outside hitter/co-captain Brenda Post (Groton, CT — Fitch High School) was named to the All-Tournament at the Plymouth State Super 8 Invitational. She leads the team in hitting percentage (.301) and kills (41) after three matches.
GOLDEN BEARS RANKED 5TH IN NCAA NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III MEN'S SOCCER POLL
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 9, 2002) — Western New England College's men's soccer team is ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III New England poll released Monday.
Wheaton is first followed by Williams, and Bowdoin, Tufts. Western Connecticut is sixth followed by Gordon, Babson, and Norwich. Keene State and WPI are tied for 10th.
2002 FALL SPORTS CAPTAINS AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 30, 2002) — Twenty student-athletes will serve as team captains of the 2002 fall sports teams at Western New England College. They are:
Men's Cross Country — Jon Harris '03 (Monson, MA), Dave Vigliano '03 (Ludlow, MA).
Women's Cross Country — Jamie Carney '03 (Orleans, MA).
Field Hockey — Kara Acken '03 (Dover Plains, NY), Whitney Boucher '03 (Tyngsboro, MA), Heather Gaydos '03 (Barre, VT).
Football — Scott Hurlbut '03 (Mecklenburg, NY), John Marine '03 (Hudson Falls, NY), Dom Sondrini '03 (Dalton, MA).
Men's Golf — Kevin Bennison '03 (Cobleskill, NY), Paul Winkler '03 (West Springfield, MA).
Men's Soccer — Terrence Leahy '03 (East Longmeadow, MA), Nathan Soucy '03 (Gilford, NH), Scott Thornton '05 (Bedford, NH).
Women's Soccer — Jacquie Bailey '03 (Easthampton, MA), Molly Burke '03 (Westfield, MA).
Women's Tennis — Jessica Fasulo '03 (Medford, NY), Elayna Lazzaro '03 (Worcester, MA).
Women's Volleyball — Sarah Lerz '03 (Wolcott, CT), Brenda Post '03 (Groton, CT).
SARAH KELLY SELECTED ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER/FITNESS COORDINATOR AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 27, 2002) — Sarah Kelly of Enfield, New Hampshire has been named assistant athletic trainer and fitness coordinator at Western New England College.
Kelly is a graduate of Springfield College where she earned a bachelor of science degree in athletic training in 2000 and a master of education degree in strength & conditioning this past May.
While at SC, Kelly served as captain of the field hockey team and was a three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America selection. She also was named to the NFHCA Academic Team.
Kelly received her National Athletic Training Association (NATA) Certification in 2000.
ANDREA DALEY NAMED WOMENÕS SWIMMING COACH AT WNEC
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 20, 2002) — After serving as an assistant coach for the last three years, Andrea Daley of Ludlow will take over as the head coach of the women's swimming program at Western New England College starting September 1, athletics director Mike Theulen announced Tuesday.
Daley, a native of Lowville, New York, replaces Ben Bump who stepped down from the position this past spring after four years as head coach.
Daley is a 1998 graduate of Springfield College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science. She received a Master of Education degree in health studies from SC in 2000. Daley previously coached swimming at the high school and age group levels.
A former member of the SC women's swimming team, Daley was the MVP of the girls swimming team at Lowville High School and a record-holder in the 200 freestyle and individual medley events.
Daley is an active member of the Masters Swim squad who recently competed in meets in Hawaii and Ohio.
NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE EXPECTED TO BE READY BY SEPTEMBER 1
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July, 19, 2002) — A new multi-purpose field for Western New England College is expected to be completed by September 1, athletics director Mike Theulen announced Friday.
The lighted facility will be located on Suprenant Field adjacent to the baseball and soccer fields. It will be used by the College's varsity field hockey, football, and men's and women's lacrosse teams, and for the school's intramural program.
Work on the state-of-the-art Astro Play synthetic turf field started earlier this month.
Western New England College's football and lacrosse teams previously played their contests on the game field located near the St. Germain Campus Center. The College plans to build a new residence hall on the field starting later this summer. The field hockey team played its events on a grass surface at Suprenant Field.
"The entire College has worked together to advance varsity and intramural sports because we recognize how beneficial these are for our students and for the growing reputation of Western New England College," said College president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio. "This new multi-purpose athletic field is a giant step in fulfilling our vision for athletics, and it is an opportunity for us to further our support for our students and propel both our athletics program and the College to its next level of excellence."
According to Theulen, "This facility will be a tremendous asset for our student-athletes and teams, and will complement our Alumni Healthful Living Center. It also allows us to deliver programming in a qualitative way for our student-athletes and student body."
LUDLOW NATIVE MIKE DIAS NAMED ASSISTANT WOMEN'S SOCCER COACH
Former Vermont star join father Ron on Golden Bears' sideline
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 11, 2002) — Western New England College women's soccer coach Ron Dias announced Thursday that his son Mike Dias will serve as assistant coach of the Golden Bears this fall.
Mike Dias, a native of Springfield, is a 2002 graduate of the University of Vermont where he was a four-year starter at a sweeper position. He was twice a first team America East Conference selection and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional First Team All-America. Dias also was named the MVP of the America East Tournament.
A current member of the Western Massachusetts Pioneers, Dias previously played for the Boston Bulldogs and the Connecticut Wolves. He also has worked at several summer camps.
"I am extremely pleased that Mike has accepted this position," said Ron Dias. "Western New England College is a great place to start a career and Mike will be a great addition to our program."
WNEC posted a 14-8-1 record last year for its seventh consecutive winning season. The Golden Bears captured the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title and participated in their second NCAA Division III Championship in three years.
JEFF BOUYEA SELECTED FOR NCAA DIVISION III ALL-STAR WRESTLING TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 25, 2002) — Western New England College wrestling standout Jeff Bouyea of East Longmeadow has been named to the NCAA Division III All-Star Wrestling Team that will tour Europe beginning next week.
Bouyea, who competes in the 133-lb. weight class, will visit Varna and Sofia, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey from July 4-16. He will attend the All-Star Training Camp at the University of Scranton from July 1-3 and then leave the next day for the trip overseas.
Bouyea enjoyed a solid rookie season compiling a 14-11 record while earning the team's Most Improved Player Award. He will begin his sophomore year in August.
WNEC coach and East Longmeadow resident Bob Skelton again will serve as the team leader for the trip. This is the 13th consecutive year that he has traveled with the squad to Europe.
In other wrestling news, USA Wrestling has designated Western New England College as a National Regional Training Center. Skelton and former Olympic bronze medallist Rodney Smith (a 1989 WNEC graduate) are among those serving as clinicians for the program that will resume again in August.
Skelton and Smith also will be conducting The Total Wrestling Systems Camp for wrestlers of all ages from July 21-26 at WNEC. Further information may be obtained by calling 413-746-2142.
41 WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED TO 2001-02 GNAC ACADEMIC TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 18, 2002) — Forty-one Western New England College student-athletes were selected to the 2001-02 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Academic Team. They are:
Baseball —
Kyle Adamski '04 (South Deerfield, MA), Zach Holt '02 (Northampton,
MA)
Men's Basketball — Ryan Callahan
'04 (Somerville, MA), Kris Hebert '03 (Chicopee, MA)
Women's Basketball — Allison
Clark '04 (Haddam, CT), Christine Danner '02 (Embden, ME),
Krista Savard '04 (Fairfield, CT), Emily Sward '04 (Plainville,
CT)
Men's Cross-Country — Jesse
Mushenko '02 (Monson, MA), Dave Vigliano '03 (Ludlow, MA)
Women's Cross-Country — Kelly
Goodyear '02 (Meriden, CT), Leanne Polidoro '04 (Adams, MA),
Beth Szymanski '02 (Burlington, CT)
Men's Golf — Kevin Bennison
'03 (Cobleskill, NY), Joe Gworek '03 (Southington, CT), Paul
Winkler '03 (West Springfield, MA)
Men's
Soccer
— Jason DaCruz '04 (Ludlow, MA)
Women's
Soccer
— Jacquie Bailey '03 (Easthampton, MA), Kate Farry '02
(Pittsfield, MA), Jess Hulsey '04 (Springfield, MA), Sarah Leggio
'03 (Palenville, NY), Kelly Quinn '04(East Longmeadow, MA)
Softball
— Marcie Bruder '03(Keene, NH), Heather Capitanio '03
(Pittsfield, MA), Kate Farry '02 (Pittsfield, MA), Sarah Leggio
'03 (Palenville, NY), Michele Petro '02 (Waterbury, CT), Jeni
Pernaa (Ashby, MA)
Women's
Swimming
— Jessica Fasulo '03 (Medford, NY), Kelly Mangan '03
(Waterbury, CT), Elena Massa '04 (Easthampton, MA), Megan Melch
'02 (Gales Ferry, CT), Jessica Newman '04 (East Hardwick, VT)
Men's
Tennis
— Will Delahanty '02 (Tobyhanna, PA), Kevin Hassett
'02 (Pembroke, MA), Tom Michaud '03 (Manchester, CT), Mike Raymond
'02 (Vernon, CT)
Women's Tennis — Jessica Fasulo
'03 (Medford, NY), Liz Gargan '04 (Bellingham, MA), April
Mosebach '04(East Hartford, CT), Lisa Tereshko '04 (Chelmsford,
MA)
Women's
Volleyball —
Nicole Holquin '03 (Springfield, MA), Sarah Lerz '03 (Wolcott,
CT), Tiffany Miller '03 (Townshend, VT)
Kate Farry '02 (soccer, softball), Jessica Fasulo '03 (swimming, tennis), and Sarah Leggio '03 (soccer, softball) were double award recipients.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S ATHLETICS TEAMS ENJOY RECORD-BREAKING SEASON IN 2001-02
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 11, 2002) — Western New England College's athletics program enjoyed the best season in its 36-year history this past school year by compiling an overall record of 220-143-3 for a 60.5 winning percentage.
This spring, five WNEC squads posted a 100-33-1 mark for a 75.0 winning percentage.
The Golden Bears had four teams participate in NCAA Division III Championships (men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball) and three squads in ECAC Division III Tournaments (baseball, women's basketball, men's soccer).
There are 19 varsity sports, although the men's and women's cross country teams and men's golf squad don't have won-lost records. Eleven of the 16 teams had winning records and five squads — softball (34), baseball (29), women's basketball (20), women's volleyball (19), women's lacrosse (16) — set or tied school records for wins in a season
In Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition, the baseball team won the regular season conference title while the men's basketball squad captured the GNAC North Division crown. The women's soccer, softball and men's tennis team each captured GNAC Tournament titles. WNEC's men's lacrosse team won the Pilgrim League Tournament title while the women's lacrosse squad captured the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament crown.
Western New England College received seven Coach-of-the-Year honors. Erin Sullivan (men's soccer), Ron Dias (women's soccer), Lori Mayhew (softball), and Jennifer Kolins (men's tennis, women's tennis) were selected GNAC Coaches-of-the-Year. John Klepacki (men's lacrosse) and his wife Aimee Klepacki (women's lacrosse) were the Pilgrim League and NEWLA Coaches-of-the-Year, respectively.
Numerous students received athletic and academic awards for their performances on the playing fields and in the classroom. Senior Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT) became the first men's lacrosse player in school history to receive All-America honors while junior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) was named the GNAC Softball Pitcher-of-the-Year and selected to the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
"We are fast gaining respect in the region and on the national stage," said fourth-year Western New England College athletics director Dr. Michael D. Theulen. "Most important to us, however, is how athletics is viewed on campus. A recent focus study group identified our athletics program as the third most important activity on campus making a positive contribution to the success of the College.
"Our record this year is indicative of the growing sense of pride and family among our teams. Our coaches are second to none in terms of their commitment to their student-athletes. Fifty-three per cent of our student-athletes earned over a 3.0 grade-point-average during the spring semester," noted Theulen.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S LACROSSE PLAYERS & TEAM RANKED HIGH IN FINAL STATISTICS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's Joyce Neilson (Salisbury, CT) led the nation with 134 ground balls, according to the final 2002 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Statistics. Her average of 7.44 in 18 games was ranked second nationally. Neilson, an attack wing, also was ranked 28th in caused turnovers (2.72).
Defensive wing Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA) was second nationally with 74 caused turnovers that were ranked fourth (4.11) among Division III players. Goalie Jennifer Mikulec (Farmington, CT) was fifth in goals-against-average (6.46) and 28th in save percentage (.573). Center Shannon Pizzingrilli (Rochester, NY) was tied for 24th in ground balls (5.33).
Neilson and Mikulec both graduated in May. Carney will be a senior and Pizzingrilli a junior starting in August.
Western New England College was nationally ranked in six of seven team categories.
WNEC was second in scoring defense (5.72), second in ground balls (49.56), fourth in won-lost percentage (.889), 10th in scoring margin (8.11), 16th in caused turnovers (15.00), and 19th in scoring (13.83). The Golden Bears led the nation with 892 ground balls.
Western New England College posted a school record 16-2 record this past spring, captured its first New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament title, and made its inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
JEFF BOUYEA SELECTED FOR NCAA DIVISION III ALL-STAR WRESTLING TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 25, 2002) — Western New England College wrestling standout Jeff Bouyea of East Longmeadow has been named to the NCAA Division III All-Star Wrestling Team that will tour Europe beginning next week.
Bouyea, who competes in the 133-lb. weight class, will visit Varna and Sofia, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey from July 4-16. He will attend the All-Star Training Camp at the University of Scranton from July 1-3 and then leave the next day for the trip overseas.
Bouyea enjoyed a solid rookie season compiling a 14-11 record while earning the team's Most Improved Player Award. He will begin his sophomore year in August.
WNEC coach and East Longmeadow resident Bob Skelton again will serve as the team leader for the trip. This is the 13th consecutive year that he has traveled with the squad to Europe.
In other wrestling news, USA Wrestling has designated Western New England College as a National Regional Training Center. Skelton and former Olympic bronze medallist Rodney Smith (a 1989 WNEC graduate) are among those serving as clinicians for the program that will resume again in August.
Skelton and Smith also will be conducting The Total Wrestling Systems Camp for wrestlers of all ages from July 21-26 at WNEC. Further information may be obtained by calling 413-746-2142.
41 WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED TO 2001-02 GNAC ACADEMIC TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 18, 2002) — Forty-one Western New England College student-athletes were selected to the 2001-02 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Academic Team. They are:
Baseball —
Kyle Adamski '04 (South Deerfield, MA), Zach Holt '02 (Northampton,
MA)
Men's Basketball — Ryan Callahan
'04 (Somerville, MA), Kris Hebert '03 (Chicopee, MA)
Women's Basketball — Allison
Clark '04 (Haddam, CT), Christine Danner '02 (Embden, ME),
Krista Savard '04 (Fairfield, CT), Emily Sward '04 (Plainville,
CT)
Men's Cross-Country — Jesse
Mushenko '02 (Monson, MA), Dave Vigliano '03 (Ludlow, MA)
Women's Cross-Country — Kelly
Goodyear '02 (Meriden, CT), Leanne Polidoro '04 (Adams, MA),
Beth Szymanski '02 (Burlington, CT)
Men's Golf — Kevin Bennison
'03 (Cobleskill, NY), Joe Gworek '03 (Southington, CT), Paul
Winkler '03 (West Springfield, MA)
Men's
Soccer
— Jason DaCruz '04 (Ludlow, MA)
Women's
Soccer
— Jacquie Bailey '03 (Easthampton, MA), Kate Farry '02
(Pittsfield, MA), Jess Hulsey '04 (Springfield, MA), Sarah Leggio
'03 (Palenville, NY), Kelly Quinn '04(East Longmeadow, MA)
Softball
— Marcie Bruder '03(Keene, NH), Heather Capitanio '03
(Pittsfield, MA), Kate Farry '02 (Pittsfield, MA), Sarah Leggio
'03 (Palenville, NY), Michele Petro '02 (Waterbury, CT), Jeni
Pernaa (Ashby, MA)
Women's
Swimming
— Jessica Fasulo '03 (Medford, NY), Kelly Mangan '03
(Waterbury, CT), Elena Massa '04 (Easthampton, MA), Megan Melch
'02 (Gales Ferry, CT), Jessica Newman '04 (East Hardwick, VT)
Men's
Tennis
— Will Delahanty '02 (Tobyhanna, PA), Kevin Hassett
'02 (Pembroke, MA), Tom Michaud '03 (Manchester, CT), Mike Raymond
'02 (Vernon, CT)
Women's Tennis — Jessica Fasulo
'03 (Medford, NY), Liz Gargan '04 (Bellingham, MA), April
Mosebach '04(East Hartford, CT), Lisa Tereshko '04 (Chelmsford,
MA)
Women's
Volleyball —
Nicole Holquin '03 (Springfield, MA), Sarah Lerz '03 (Wolcott,
CT), Tiffany Miller '03 (Townshend, VT)
Kate Farry '02 (soccer, softball), Jessica Fasulo '03 (swimming, tennis), and Sarah Leggio '03 (soccer, softball) were double award recipients.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S ATHLETICS TEAMS ENJOY RECORD-BREAKING SEASON IN 2001-02
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 11, 2002) — Western New England College's athletics program enjoyed the best season in its 36-year history this past school year by compiling an overall record of 220-143-3 for a 60.5 winning percentage.
This spring, five WNEC squads posted a 100-33-1 mark for a 75.0 winning percentage.
The Golden Bears had four teams participate in NCAA Division III Championships (men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball) and three squads in ECAC Division III Tournaments (baseball, women's basketball, men's soccer).
There are 19 varsity sports, although the men's and women's cross country teams and men's golf squad don't have won-lost records. Eleven of the 16 teams had winning records and five squads — softball (34), baseball (29), women's basketball (20), women's volleyball (19), women's lacrosse (16) — set or tied school records for wins in a season
In Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition, the baseball team won the regular season conference title while the men's basketball squad captured the GNAC North Division crown. The women's soccer, softball and men's tennis team each captured GNAC Tournament titles. WNEC's men's lacrosse team won the Pilgrim League Tournament title while the women's lacrosse squad captured the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament crown.
Western New England College received seven Coach-of-the-Year honors. Erin Sullivan (men's soccer), Ron Dias (women's soccer), Lori Mayhew (softball), and Jennifer Kolins (men's tennis, women's tennis) were selected GNAC Coaches-of-the-Year. John Klepacki (men's lacrosse) and his wife Aimee Klepacki (women's lacrosse) were the Pilgrim League and NEWLA Coaches-of-the-Year, respectively.
Numerous students received athletic and academic awards for their performances on the playing fields and in the classroom. Senior Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT) became the first men's lacrosse player in school history to receive All-America honors while junior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) was named the GNAC Softball Pitcher-of-the-Year and selected to the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
"We are fast gaining respect in the region and on the national stage," said fourth-year Western New England College athletics director Dr. Michael D. Theulen. "Most important to us, however, is how athletics is viewed on campus. A recent focus study group identified our athletics program as the third most important activity on campus making a positive contribution to the success of the College.
"Our record this year is indicative of the growing sense of pride and family among our teams. Our coaches are second to none in terms of their commitment to their student-athletes. Fifty-three per cent of our student-athletes earned over a 3.0 grade-point-average during the spring semester," noted Theulen.
GOLDEN BEARS WEB SITE A BIG HIT!
Western New England College's athletic web site received over 265,000 hits during the five-month period from January through May. There were 71,208 hits during in April when the Golden Bears' spring teams advanced to post-season tournament competition. We appreciate your interest in our athletics program. Please email any comments or suggestions for improvement to WNEC director of athletic communications Ken Cerino at kcerino@wnec.edu.
KATE FARRY AND MARCIE BRUDER NAMED TO VERIZON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA SOFTBALL TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 6, 2002) — Western New England College softball stars Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA) and Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) added another major honor to their collection when they were selected to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America College Division Softball Team that was announced Thursday.
Farry earned a spot on the national academic second squad while Bruder was a third team selection. The two players are the first softball players in school history to gain this prestigious award.
Western New England College was the only school in the region to have two players on the Verizon squad.
Farry, a senior outfielder and team co-captain, compiled a 3.74 cumulative grade-point-average in psychology. She hit .362 in 37 games and finished her career with a .314 average in 132 contests. Farry received her bachelor of arts degree last month.
Bruder, who is hearing impaired, posted a 3.57 cumulative grade-point-average in international studies. The junior pitcher had a 22-5 record in becoming the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history. She had a 1.05 earned-run-average with 195 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 173 innings. Bruder was named to several All-Star teams and was the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year.
"We are extremely happy and proud of Kate and Marcie for their contributions to the softball program," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "They rank among the best student-athletes in the nation and are excellent representatives of the College."
Western New England College enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2002 with a 34-9-1 mark that included a school best 28-game winning streak. The Golden Bears also captured their first GNAC Tournament title and made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
When WNEC defeated Roger Williams 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it was the first win ever by a Golden Bears team in any NCAA competition. Bruder was the winning pitcher while Farry had two hits and a run.
Western
New England College student-athletes on the Verizon Academic All-America
Team.
1981
— Roma St. George (Chicopee,
Mass.), women's basketball
1982
— Roma St. George (Chicopee,
Mass.), women's basketball
1989
— Gary Bourque (Torrington, Conn.),
men's basketball
2001
— Laura Sturgis (Westborough,
Mass.), women's lacrosse
2002
— Kate Farry (Pittsfield, Mass.),
softball
2002
— Marcie Bruder (Keene, N.H.),
softball
MIKE RAYMOND ATTENDS NCAA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 31, 2002) — Mike Raymond of Western New England College was among 282 student-athletes who attended the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference May 26-30 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Raymond, a co-captain of the Golden Bears men's tennis team, serves on the prestigious NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The NCAA conference was designed to enhance the student-athletes' leadership and communication skills to help them become more effective leaders.
Among the topics discussed were diversity, student-athlete welfare, social behavior, trust among coaches, administrators, and student-athletes, Title IX, NCAA rules, peer pressure, and competition on religious holidays.
Raymond, who graduated earlier this month, was the 2002 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament No. 1 singles and doubles champion. He posted a 26-5 record this past season and set a school record with 88 career victories.
KEVIN SAVAGE NAMED TO STX/USILA DIVISION III ALL-AMERICA TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 30, 2002) — Kevin Savage of Western New England College made school history Thursday (May 30) when he received an honorable mention on the 2002 STX/United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III All-American Team.
A native of West Hartford, Connecticut, Savage is the first Golden Bears player to earn All-America status in the program's 21-year history.
Savage, a midfielder and team captain, was second on the team in scoring with 60 points (41 goals, 19 assists). He finished his career with 127 points. Earlier this month he was selected to the Pilgrim League West Division All-Star Team. Savage earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology on May 19.
"Kevin was a leader all year and he played well in the big games," said WNEC coach John Klepacki. "He led by example and was a positive role mode for the underclassmen."
With Savage helping to lead the way, Western New England College enjoyed the second best season in school history with a 12-5 record that included a 10-game winning streak. The Golden Bears captured the Pilgrim League West Division crown with a perfect 6-0 mark and won the Pilgrim League Tournament title after posting one-goal wins over Babson College (13-12) and city rival Springfield College (17-16).
Western New England advanced to its first NCAA Division III Championship and made an impressive showing in a 16-15 overtime loss at ninth-ranked Ithaca College. WNEC was ranked 25th in the final national poll.
Savage had two goals in each of the three post-season contests.
Savage is a 1998 graduate of Hall High School where he was captain of the lacrosse team his senior year, and a two-time CCC West League All-Star selection.
SOPHOMORE DAVID GWOZDZ HEADS LIST OF FIVE GOLDEN BEARS PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-GNAC BASEBALL TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 22, 2002) — Western New England College sophomore pitcher David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) was named Wednesday (May 22) to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball First Team.
All-GNAC Second Team honors went to senior centerfielder Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA — Taconic High School), sophomore pitcher Joe Golec (Florence, MA — Northampton High School), freshman catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT — Bristol Central High School), and freshman shortstop Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School).
Gwozdz compiled a 9-1 record, which was the second highest win total in the program's 34-year history. He had a 3.02 earned-run-average with 49 strikeouts and 20 walks in 65.2 innings. Golec posted a 6-1 mark and 1.98 ERA in his first year as a pitcher. He was a reserve outfielder last season. Golec struck out 46 and walked 27 in 68.1 innings. McGee hit .372 in 22 games before an injury sidelined him for the season. Hackney batted .345 in 40 games and led the Golden Bears in hits (49) doubles (11), and tied for the team lead in runs (35). Allessio hit .273 in 41 contests and was second on the squad in stolen bases (10).
Western New England College finished with a 29-12 record that was a school record for wins in a season. The Golden Bears captured the GNAC regular season title with a 15-1 mark and placed second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament.
JUNIOR MARCIE BRUDER NAMED GNAC SOFTBALL PITCHER-OF-THE-YEAR
LORI MAYHEW SELECTED GNAC COACH-OF-THE-YEAR
Five players earn spots on the All-Conference Team
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 22, 2002) — Western New England College junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was honored Wednesday (May 22) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Pitcher-of-the-Year.
Bruder, who is hearing impaired, posted a 22-5 record and 1.05 earned-run-average with 195 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 173 innings. She became the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history. Bruder was the Most Valuable Player of the GNAC Tournament after leading the Golden Bears to their first conference title. Her win over Roger Williams College in the NCAA Division III Tournament was the first school victory ever in any sport in NCAA competition.
Bruder has a 41-15 career record and 1.55 ERA with 350 strikeouts in 362.1 innings. Earlier this month, she was selected the WNEC Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year.
Bruder also was named to the All-GNAC First Team with senior second baseman Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School) and junior outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville-Cleona High School). Junior catcher Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA — Wahconah Regional High School) and junior third baseman Lindsay Gauthier (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) made the All-GNAC Second Team.
Koch led the Golden Bears in hitting (.411), hits (53), runs (37), stolen bases (23), and was tied with Blake for the team lead in doubles (9). She also is a member of the school's basketball and tennis teams. Pernaa was second in hitting (.410), hits (48), runs-batted-in (22), and stolen bases (12). She ended her career with a .401 batting average. Blake hit .375 and led the team in runs-batted-in (26) and walks (17). Gauthier enjoyed a solid year with a .350 batting average.
Western New England College's Lori Mayhew was selected the GNAC Softball Coach-of-the-Year after directing the Golden Bears to a 34-9-1 record and their first appearance in the NCAA Division IIII Championship. The school-record 34 wins included a 28-game winning streak during the season. Mayhew is a native of Westfield and a member of the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame.
In other news, Koch was named to the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) Division III All-Star First Team while Bruder and Pernaa were Second Team selections.
SOPHOMORE SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI NAMED NEWLA CO-PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR AND SCHOLAR-ATHLETE
Five players named All-Alliance; Aimee Klepacki again voted top coach
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 20, 2002) — Western New England College sophomore center Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) has been selected the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Co-Player-of-the-Year and NEWLA Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year.
Pizzingrilli also was named to the NEWLA All-Star Team along with senior attack wing Joyce Neilson (Salisbury, CT), senior goalie Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT), junior defensive wing Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA), and junior third home player Christie Pfister (East Greenbush, NY).
Aimee Klepacki of Western New England College was the NEWLA Coach-of-the-Year for the second straight season.
Pizzingrilli set a single season school record with 82 points (56 goals, 26 assists) in her first year on the team. She led the Golden Bears in draw controls (35), was second in ground balls (96), and third in caused turnovers (40). Pizzingrilli also has a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average in finance.
Neilson was third on the squad in scoring with 47 points (31 goals, 16 assists). She was first in ground balls (134), second in caused turnovers (49), and fourth in draw controls (16). Neilson is the school's all-time leading scorer with 155 points (106 goals, 49 assists).
Mikulec posted a 6.46 goals-against-average and 57.3 save percentage in only her second season playing lacrosse.
Carney led the Golden Bears in caused turnovers (74) and was third in ground balls (86). She also contributed 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) in her second year playing the sport.
Pfister was second on the team in scoring with 69 points (51 goals, 18 assists), second in draw controls (33), and fourth in ground balls (80). She is second on the school's all-time list with 134 points (104 goals, 30 assists).
Western New England College posted a 16-2 record this spring, which was the highest win total in the program's four-year history. The Golden Bears placed first in the NEWLA with a perfect 6-0 mark and captured their first NEWLA Tournament title. WNEC also participated in its first NCAA Division III Championship.
SENIOR BILL LOCHER NAMED PILGRIM LEAGUE WEST DIVISION MEN'S LACROSSE PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR
Five players named All-League; John Klepacki voted top coach
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 17, 2002) — Western New England College senior attack player Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY — Yorktown High School) has been named the Pilgrim League West Division Men's Lacrosse Player-of-the-Year.
Locher also was named to the Pilgrim League All-Star Team along with senior midfielder Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT — Hall High School), junior midfielder Tim Cinque (Lynbrook, NY Ń Lynbrook Senior High School), junior goalie Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD — Boys Latin High School), and junior defenseman Dan Gildart (Portland, ME — Cheverus High School).
First-year Western New England College coach John Klepacki was selected the Pilgrim League Coach-of-the-Year. Klepacki is a native of Southington, Connecticut.
Locher led the Golden Bears in scoring with 67 points (49 goals, 18 assists) and finished his career second on the school's all-time scoring list with 201 points (148 goals, 53 assists). He had five goals in Western New England's 17-16 win over Springfield College in the Pilgrim League Tournament championship game. Locher also received an honorable mention on the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III All-Star Team.
Savage was second on the team in scoring with 60 points (41 goals, 19 assists). He compiled 127 career points (81 goals, 46 assists). Cinque was third on the squad with 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists). Dabrowski compiled a 9.96 goals-against-average and 64.4 save percentage in his first year as a starter. Gildart anchored the defense that allowed only 10.94 goals a game (6.5 goals in six league contests).
Western New England College finished with a 12-5 record, which was the second highest win total in the program's 21-year history. The Golden Bears placed first in the Pilgrim League West Division with a perfect 6-0 mark and captured their first Pilgrim League Tournament title since 1996. WNEC also participated in its first NCAA Division III Championship.
2002 SPRING SPORTS SIMPLY SENSATIONAL
Baseball
(29-12)
GNAC
regular season champions
Placed
second in the ECAC New England Division III Tournament
School-record
for wins in a season
Men's
Golf
UMass-Dartmouth Invitational (3rd)
Worcester
State Invitational (3rd)
Mass. Intercollegiate Tournament (10th/21)
Men's
Lacrosse (12-5)
Played
in first NCAA Division III Championship
Pilgrim
League Tournament Second most wins in school history
School-record
10-game winning streak
Women's
Lacrosse (16-2)
Played
in first NCAA Division III Championship
Won
its first New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance Tournament
School-record
for wins in a season
School
record 12-game winning streak
Softball
(34-9-1)
Played
in first NCAA Division III Championship
Won
the program's first GNAC Tournament
School-record
for wins in a season
School
record 28-game winning streak
Men's
Tennis (9-5)
Tied
for first place in GNAC during regular season
Won
first GNAC Tournament
Twelfth
straight winning season
Western New England College's spring sports teams compiled a combined record of 100-33-1 for a 75.0 winning percentage.
MARVIN LANGLEY AND MARCIE BRUDER SELECTED AS THE WNEC COCA-COLA ATHLETES-OF-THE-YEAR
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 16, 2002) — Senior football and lacrosse standout Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME — Lewiston High School) and junior softball pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) were honored as the Western New England College Coca-Cola Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Year, respectively, at the school's Spring Sports Banquet.
Langley led the New England Football Conference (NEFC) in all-purpose yards (189.3 avg.) and was second in rushing (136.8) after gaining 1,094 yards in eight games with 12 touchdowns. His 72 points tied for first in the conference (9.0). A team captain, Langley had five 100-yard games in breaking the 1,000-yard mark for third straight season. He was a two-time NEFC All-Star selection. Langley, a computer information systems major, ended his sensational career with 3,401 yards rushing and 41 touchdowns (both school records).
This spring, Langley played lacrosse for the first time and was a member of the Golden Bears' squad that posted a 12-5 record for the second highest win total in the program's history. WNEC also captured the Pilgrim League Tournament title and participated in the first NCAA Division III Championship. Langley, a midfielder, had three assists during the season.
Bruder, a right-hander, compiled a 22-5 record with a 1.05 earned-run-average in becoming the school's first 20-game winner. She had a school record 195 strikeouts with only 26 walks in 173 innings. Bruder, who is hearing impaired, was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year and selected to the All-Conference Team. She had a 10-1 mark and 0.78 ERA against conference opponents. Bruder also gained a spot on the NCAA New England Division III Regional All-Tournament Team and was a New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) Division III All-Star Second Team selection.
An international studies major, Bruder was selected to the Verizon Academic District 1 College Division Softball Team on May 9. She has a career 41-15 record with 350 strikeouts (both school records). With Bruder leading the way, WNEC posted a 34-9-1 record this spring that was a school record for wins in a season. The Golden Bears captured their first GNAC Tournament title and participated in their first NCAA Division III Championship.
JOHN AND AIMEE KLEPACKI LOVE LACROSSE AND ONE ANOTHER; HUSBAND-WIFE DUO LEAD GOLDEN BEARS INTO NCAA TOURNAMENTS
By KEVIN HASSETT '02
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 7, 2002) — Six years ago, John Klepacki and Aimee DeBoyace were seniors at Springfield College, playing in their final seasons of lacrosse for the Pride. After a change of careers, some moving around, and a wedding last June, John and Aimee Klepacki are now coaching the Golden Bears lacrosse teams at Western New England College where both squads will be competing in the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time.
How do these two individuals feel about coaching at the same college?
"It's more convenient than us being at different schools," said John. "We are in the same building, but we're usually busy and donÕt see each other."
While the two have now ended up working in the Alumni Healthful Living Center, the paths they each took to get here were completely different.
Aimee graduated from Springfield College with the intent of teaching and coaching at the high school level. After earning a masters degree in education from City College of New York, she became a second grade teacher. Aimee later decided that teaching was not right for her and went to get her master of science degree in physical education back at SC.
In 1998, Aimee became the assistant coach for WNEC's first season of women's lacrosse. A year later, the head coaching position opened up and Aimee was hired.
John, a member of SC's 1994 NCAA Division II Championship squad, was interested in coaching after college, but thought he might have to leave the area and move south. He stayed in the region, however, and was an assistant coach at the State University of New York at Oneonta for three years before returning to Springfield College to get his master degree. John was an assistant for the nationally ranked Pride the past two seasons.
Since their arrival at WNEC, both lacrosse teams have enjoyed considerable success.
Aimee, who also is the head field hockey coach in the fall, led WNEC to an appearance in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Tournament in her first season (2000). This spring she has guided the Golden Bears to a school best 16-1 record heading into its first round national tournament game at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Springfield.
WNEC also captured its first New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament title and placed first in the league during the regular season with a perfect 6-0 mark. Aimee was the 2001 NEWLA Coach-of-the-Year and is expected to win the honor again when awards are presented next week.
John, who served an assistant coach for the football team, is in his first season at WNEC. This spring the rookie coach has directed the Golden Bears to a 12-4 record for the second best mark in school history. WNEC placed first in the Pilgrim League West Division with a perfect 6-0 record and captured the Pilgrim League Tournament crown with a thrilling 17-16 win over Springfield. In fact, Western New England defeated Springfield twice this season after losing both games last year by a 46-12 margin (22-6, 24-6).
John will lead WNEC into its first NCAA Division Tournament game that begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Ithaca College.
Both coaches have seen their hard work earn big rewards for the ever-improving Western New England College athletics program.
Now that Aimee has been here for a few years, she has high expectations for her teams.
"Our short-term goal was to win the conference," she said. "Long-term I would like to see both our field hockey and lacrosse teams ranked among the best in Division III."
John has been impressed with the way the upperclassmen have accepted the change in direction of the program after the Golden Bears finished with a disappointing 5-9 record last year. Eventually John hopes his team can compete annually for the Pilgrim League title, play in the NCAA Tournament, and become one of the top programs in the Northeast.
Whatever happens in the NCAA Tournaments, both John and Aimee have been very impressed with their players and the College.
It looks as though the Golden Bears lacrosse programs will be in good shape for many years to come with this husband-wife combination at the helm.
(Kevin Hassett '02 of Pembroke, Massachusetts was the sports editor of the Western New England College campus newspaper The Westerner for two years. He also was a student assistant in the athletic communications office. A recipient of the 2002 WNEC Media Award, Kevin has accepted the prestigious Bushnell Internship at the Eastern College Athletic Conference starting in September.)
Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet Saturday, May 4, 2002
List of Award Recipients
WNEC
Coca-Cola Athletes of the Year
Senior
Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME), football/lacrosse
Junior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH), softball
ECAC
Merit Awards
Senior Ryan Bowey (Wolcott, CT), golf
Senior Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA), soccer/softball
Baseball
10th Player Award - Senior Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA)
Cy Young Award - Sophomore David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA)
Silver Slugger Award - Freshman Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT)
Men's
Golf
Low Stroke Average - Junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) and
Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA)
Coaches Award - Senior Ryan Bowey (Wolcott, CT)
Men's
Lacrosse
Joel Castleman Coaches Award - Senior Kevin Savage (West Hartford,
CT)
Unsung Hero Award - Senior Ryan Deane (Wilbraham, MA)
Rookie of the Year - Freshman Mike Ackerman (Baldwin, NY)
Women's
Lacrosse
Co-Most Valuable Player - Sophomore Shannon Pizzingrilli (East
Rochester, NY)
Co-Most Valuable Player - Senior Joyce Neilson (Salisbury, CT)
Unsung Hero Award - Junior Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA)
Softball
Coaches Award for Commitment, Courage, & Character - Senior Jeni Pernaa
(Ashby, MA)
Most Valuable Player - Junior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH)
Most Outstanding Offensive Player - Junior Ashley Koch (Annville,
PA)
Men's
Tennis
Most
Valuable Player - Senior Mike Raymond (Vernon, CT)
Unsung Hero Award - Senior Chris Gutwaks (Springfield, MA)
Coach Philip Sweeney Award - Junior Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT)
Martial
Arts
Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player - Sophomore Mohammed Kanji
(Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)
Sportsmanship Award - Sophomore Eugene Hofacker (Pt. Pleasant,
NJ)
Most Valuable Player - Sophomore Paul Klein (Absecon, NJ)
WNEC
Media Awards
Kevin Hassett - The Westener, Western New England College
Gene O'Donnell - Springfield Newspapers
WNEC
Appreciation Award
Barbara Campanella - Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs,
Western New England College
MIKE CLARKE, MIKE RAYMOND, AND JEN MIKULEC NAMED WNEC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES-OF-THE-YEAR
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 30, 2002) Ń Men's soccer captain Mike Clarke (Post-Mills, VT — Thetford Academy) and men's tennis captain Mike Raymond (Vernon, CT — Rockville High School) were named co-recipients of the Western New England College Male Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year Award at the school's Recognition Ceremony April 28.
Women's field hockey/lacrosse captain Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT — Farmington High School) was selected the WNEC Female Scholar Athletes-of-the-Year.
Clarke is an electrical engineering and a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Academic Team. A midfielder, he was named to the All-GNAC first squad. Clarke was a key performer on the Golden Bears squad that finished with a 14-8-1 record that was the second highest win total in school history. WNEC also placed second in the conference during the regular season with a 7-1 mark and was second in the GNAC Tournament.
Raymond is a sport management major and GNAC Academic selection. He won both the No. 1 singles and doubles titles to help the Golden Bears capture their first GNAC Tournament crown. Raymond, a member of the prestigious NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, established a school record with 88 career victories. With Raymond leading the way, WNEC finished with a 9-5 record this spring for its 12th consecutive winning season. The Golden Bears also tied for first place in the conference with a 4-1 mark.
Mikulec is a marketing communications/advertising major who was selected to both the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCA) and Intercollegiate WomenÕs Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Teams. Last fall, she led the nationÕs Division III field hockey goalies in saves (274) and was second nationally in save percentage (91.6). Mikulec leads the New England WomenÕs Lacrosse Alliance in goals-against-average (6.15 which is fifth nationally) and save percentage (9.0). The field hockey team won nine games last fall for its highest total since 1987. The lacrosse team has a school record 14-1 record entering the NEWLA Tournament on May 3.
WNEC'S WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN LATEST STATISTICS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 1, 2002) — Western New England College's women's lacrosse team is nationally ranked in several statistical categories, according to the latest NCAA Division III report.
Senior attack wing Joyce Neilson (Salisbury, CT) is third in ground balls (6.87) while junior defensive wing Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA) is sixth in caused turnovers (3.67).
Senior goalie Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT) is tied for fifth in goals-against-average (6.15) and 23rd in save percentage (59.0).
WNEC is third in scoring defense (5.33), third in ground balls (46.13 avg.), fourth in winning percentage (.933), ninth in scoring margin (8.54), and 18th in scoring (13.87).
MEN'S LACROSSE RANKED 10TH IN FINAL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III POLL
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 30, 2002) — Western New England College was ranked 10th in the final 2002 New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III poll announced Wednesday.
The top 10 were Middlebury, Bowdoin, Eastern Connecticut, Colby, Amherst, Tufts, Springfield, Williams, Bates, and Western New England.
TENNIS CAPTAIN CHRIS GUTWAKS AND SOFTBALL CAPTAIN KATE FARRY SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 30, 2002) — Senior tennis co-captain Chris Gutwaks (Springfield, MA — Cathedral High School) and senior softball co-captain Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA — Taconic High School) were honored Tuesday (April 30) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Gutwaks won the No. 2 singles title to help the Golden Bears capture their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Tennis Championship April 27 in Hartford, Connecticut. He also teamed with classmate Mike Raymond (Vernon, CT — Rockville High School) to win the No. 1 doubles crown. A government major, Gutwaks compiled a 23-8 record (74.2%) this spring as WNEC finished with a 9-5 record for its 12th straight winning season. Gutwaks also was named the GNAC Men's Tennis Co-Player-of-the-Week on April 29.
Farry, the starting centerfielder, batted .467 (7-for-15) in four Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament games as the Golden Bears captured their first conference title. She went 3-for-5 and had the game-winning hit in a 6-5 victory over defending champion Pine Manor College in the championship game April 27. Farry, a psychology major, is second on the team in hitting with a .386 average.
In other news, Western New England College junior goalie Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD — Boys Latin High School) was named the Pilgrim League Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 29). Dabrowski totaled 37 saves in two big crossover games for the Golden Bears who clinched the top seed in the Pilgrim League West Division with a perfect 6-0 mark. Dabrowski stopped 16 shots in a 15-13 upset victory over city rival Springfield College on April 23, handing the Pride its first ever league loss. Dabrowski then made 21 saves in a 12-7 win at MIT on April 27 that gave WNEC (10-4) an eight-game winning streak.
Western New England College sophomore center Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY — East Rochester High School) was selected the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week on April 29. Pizzingrilli compiled 12 ground balls, six draw controls, and had two caused turnovers in a 2-0 week. She had seven ground balls in an 18-1 win over Worcester State College on April 22 and six ground balls and four draw controls in a 13-12 victory over Manhattanville College on April 24. Pizzingrilli leads the Golden Bears (14-1) in draw controls (26), is second in ground balls (76), and third in caused turnovers (30). She is second in the NEWLA in scoring with 68 points (48 goals, 20 assists).
Western New England College freshman Kristin Pimental (Tiverton, RI — Tiverton High School) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week on April 29. Pimental, who plays the third home position, scored two goals in a 13-12 win over Manhattanville College on April 24, and added five ground balls and two draw controls in two contests. She is seventh on the team in scoring with 11 points (10 goals, 1 assist).
Western New England College junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) received her third straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week award on April 29. Bruder was selected the MVP of the GNAC Tournament after winning all four games to lead the Golden Bears to their first conference championship and a berth in the school's first NCAA Division III Championship. Bruder allowed only four earned runs in 22 innings with 24 strikeouts and four walks as WNEC extended its school-record winning streak to 27 games. Bruder (20-3) also became the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history and set another school mark with her 36th career victory.
Western New England College senior co-captain Mike Raymond (Vernon, CT — Rockville High School) was honored April 29 as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Tennis Co-Player-of-the-Week. Raymond captured the No. 1 singles title as WNEC won its first conference tournament title on April 27. He also teamed with classmate Chris Gutwaks (Springfield, MA — Cathedral High School) to win the No. 1 doubles crown. Raymond established a school record with 88 career victories. He led the Golden Bears with a 26-5 (83.9%) record this spring. Western New England finished with a 9-5 record for its 12th consecutive winning season.
Western New England College freshman Dave Stelmach (Raynham, MA — Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Tennis Rookie-of-the-Week on April 29. Stelmach teamed with senior Kevin Hassett (Pembroke, MA — Silver Lake Regional High School) for a pivotal win at the No. 3 doubles position as the Golden Bears captured their first conference tournament championship. Stelmach compiled a 13-7 record (65.0%) in his rookie season. WNEC finished with an 9-5 record for its 12th consecutive winning season.
WNEC WINS FIRST GNAC TOURNAMENT WITH 6-5 WIN OVER PINE MANOR; PITCHER MARCIE BRUDER NAMED MVP
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (April 27, 2002) — Senior centerfielder Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA) went 3-for-5 with the game-winning RBI in the seventh inning as Western New England College won its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title with a 6-5 victory over top-seeded Pine Manor College.
The victory automatically qualified the Golden Bears (32-7-1) for their first appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship and extended the team's school-record winning streak to 27 games.
WNEC's 32 victories is another new school mark.
Tournament MVP junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) won her 17th straight decision (and third in two days) to improve her record to 20-3. She is the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history.
junior third baseman Lindsay Gauthier (Ludlow, MA), junior right-fielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA), and Farry each made the All-Tournament Team.
Trailing 2-0, WNEC exploded for five runs in the fifth with Farry, Gauthier, junior left-fielder Erin Wolf (East Hampton, CT), junior first baseman Heather Capitanio (Pittsfield, MA), and freshman designated player Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) all having RBI hits. Gauthier and Boss each had three hits.
Pine Manor scored twice in the sixth to cut the margin to 5-4. WNEC scored the important insurance run in the seventh when Koch stole second after a fielder's choice, and scored on Farry's clutch two-out single.
In the bottom of the seventh, Pine Manor had runners on first and second with one out when Tamara Rizzo belted a double to right center to score one run. Farry threw the ball to Capitanio who fired a strike to junior catcher Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) who tagged out Kim Brizido attempting to score from first. Rizzo took third on the play, but the game ended when Meaghan L'Abbe flied out to Farry
LACROSSE STANDOUTS RYAN DEANE AND SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI, AND SOFTBALL STAR ASHLEY KOCH NAMED ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Joyce Neilson, Marcie Bruder also gain honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 23, 2002) — Senior lacrosse standout Ryan Deane (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School), junior softball star Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville-Cleona High School) and sophomore Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY — East Rochester High School) were honored Tuesday (April 23) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Deane, an attack player, scored 15 points (10 goals, 5 assists) in a 3-0 week highlighted by a career best nine-point performance (5 goals, 4 assists) against Maine Maritime Academy. He tied his career high with five goals against Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Deane, who also was selected the Pilgrim League Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 22), is third on the team in scoring with 31 points (21 goals, 10 assists).
Koch, an outfielder, batted .556 (15-for-27) in an 8-0 week and extended her hitting streak to 11 games. She also scored 12 runs and had seven stoles bases. Koch is fourth in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) in hitting with a .418 average.
Pizzingrilli, a center, compiled 25 points (18 goals, 7 assists) in a 4-0 week. She had a career-high seven goals in a 9-6 road win at Endicott College and added seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) vs. Elms College. Pizzingrilli scored four goals against both Smith College and Salem State College. For her fine play, Pizzingrilli also was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (April 22). She leads the conference in scoring with 61 points (42 goals, 19 assists).
In other news, Western New England College senior Joyce Neilson (Salisbury, CT — Housatonic Valley Regional High School) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 22). Neilson, an attack wing, compiled 25 ground balls (including 14 vs. Smith College) with eight caused turnovers and five draw controls. Neilson leads the Golden Bears in ground balls (77) and is fourth in scoring with 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists).
Western New England College junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 22). Bruder posted a 5-0 record and 0.00 earned-run-average in 32.2 innings. Bruder allowed 12 hits and had 55 strikeouts with only two walks. She leads the conference with a 16-3 record and is second with a 0.97 ERA.
SOFTBALL PITCHER MARCIE BRUDER AND BASEBALL TWINS KYLE & MATT HACKNEY SELECTED WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Bill Locher, Shannon Pizzingrilli, Jackie Shedlock, and Dan Matis also honored
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 16, 2002) — Junior softball pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) and freshman baseball twins Kyle and Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT — Bristol Central High School) were honored Tuesday (April 16) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Bruder compiled a 5-0 record and 0.52 earned-run-average in 27 innings with 43 strikeouts and one walk. She allowed only 14 hits and two earned runs. Bruder had 16 strikeouts in a two-hit shutout against Simmons College and 11 strikeouts vs. Daniel Webster. She has a 12-3 record and 1.25 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 95 innings. The 12 wins equal the number of victories she had last year and this is the second straight season Bruder has passed the 100-strikeout mark. Bruder also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Co-Player-of-the-Week. WNEC (22-7-1) visits Worcester State College in a non-conference game on Tuesday (April 16).
Kyle Hackney, an outfielder/first baseman, hit .381 (8-for-21) in six games with eight runs-batted-in and six runs. He had a season high three hits and five RBI in a victory over Clark University. Matt Hackney, a catcher/designated hitter, batted .484 (15-for-31) in seven games with 10 runs and three runs-batted-in. He went 5-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Emerson College and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. WNEC (20-6) visits Suffolk University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader on Wednesday (April 17).
In other news, Western New England College senior attack player Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY — Yorktown High School) was named the Pilgrim League Men's Lacrosse Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 15). Locher scored a career high nine points (6 goals, 3 assists) in an 18-8 league win at previously undefeated Lasell College (Mass.). He also scored two goals in a 9-7 non-league victory at Babson College. Locher leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 34 points (23 goals, 11 assists), which is seventh in the Pilgrim League. WNEC (5-4) hosts Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Tuesday (April 16).
Western New England College sophomore center Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY — East Rochester High School) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 15). Pizzingrilli scored 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in a 3-0 week, highlighted by a four-goal performance at Western Connecticut State University. She also had three goals and an assist against Castleton State College, and two goals and five assists vs. Lasell College. WNEC (9-1) visits Smith College on Tuesday (April 16).
Western New England College freshman pitcher Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ — Jefferson Township High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball Co-Rookie-of-the-Week. She was 3-0 with a 0.00 earned-run-average with 14 hits, 20 strikeouts, and five walks in 20 innings. Shedlock had nine strikeouts in a five inning win against Daniel Webster College. She has a 6-0 record and 1.24 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Her average of 8.68 strikeouts a game leads the conference. WNEC (22-7-1) visits Worcester State College in a non-conference game on Tuesday (April 16).
Western New England College freshman Dan Matis (East Lyme, CT — East Lyme High School) was named Great Northeast Athletic Conference Rookie-of-the-Week after defeating opponents from Wentworth Institute of Technology and Norwich University at the No. 4 singles position. WNEC (5-4) visits Western Connecticut State University on Tuesday (April 16).
BASEBALL STANDOUT KRAIG FEIGHERY AND SOFTBALL TWINS JOYCE AND JUNE BLAKE NAMED WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Weekly GNAC, NEWLA Award winners also announced
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 9, 2002) — Senior baseball standout Kraig Feighery (Stamford, CT — Trinity Catholic High School) and junior softball twin sisters Joyce and June Blake (Dalton, MA — Wahconah Regional High School) were honored Tuesday (April 9) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Feighery, a leftfielder, hit .500 (9-for-18) in six games with six runs and no errors in 14 chances. He also had three multi-hit contests in raising his batting average to a team high .367.
Joyce Blake, a catcher/designated player, hit .520 (13-for-25) in eight games with six runs-batted-in, five runs, and five doubles. She also extended her hitting streak to 11 games. June Blake, a shortstop, hit .500 (10-for-20) in eight games with four runs and four doubles.
In other Great Northeast Athletic Conference news, Western New England College freshman shortstop Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School) was named the GNAC Baseball Rookie-of-the-Week on April 8. McGee hit .375 in six games with seven runs and a pair of runs-batted-in. He is second on the team in hitting with a .327 average.
Western New England College junior outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville Cleona High School) was named the GNAC Softball Co-Player-of-the-Week Award on April 8. "The Mayor" hit .542 (13-for-24) in eight games with seven runs, seven stolen bases, and three runs-batted-in. She improved her batting average 167 points to .346.
Western New England College senior co-captain Mike Raymond (Vernon, CT — Rockville High School) received his second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Tennis Player-of-the-Week Award on April 8. He captured both his No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles matches, including a pair of pivotal victories in a 5-4 decision over defending GNAC champion Johnson & Wales University. Raymond has a combined 9-3 record (75.0 winning percentage) this spring.
In New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance news, Western New England College sophomore center Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY — East Rochester High School) was selected the NEWLA Rookie-of-the-Week on April 8. She scored three goals in a victory over Bridgewater State College and two goals in a loss vs. Springfield College. Pizzingrilli is second in the conference in scoring with 21 points (15 goals, 6 assists).
Western New England College junior defensive wing Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA — Nauset Regional High School) was selected the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week on April 8. Carney had five caused turnovers against both Bridgewater State College and Springfield College. She leads the Golden Bears with 35 ground balls and 25 caused turnovers in six games.
Western New England College junior forward Christie Pfister (East Greenbush, NY — Columbia High School) was selected the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Player-of-the-Week on April 1 after recording back-to-back four-goal, one-assist performance in victories over Mount Holyoke College and Keene State College. Pfister leads the conference in scoring with 24 points (20 goals, 4 assists).
Western New England College Winter Sports Banquet Saturday, April 6, 2002
List of Award Recipients
Men's
Basketball
Downes Coaches Award – Senior Andy Thornton (Chicopee, MA)
Most Valuable Player – Junior Mike O'Connor (Farmington, CT)
Most Improved Player – Sophomore Mike McFarlane (Bridgeport,
CT)
Women's
Basketball
Golden Bear Award for Leadership – Senior Joyce Neilson (Salisbury,
CT) Unsung Hero Award – Senior Christine Danner (Embden, ME)
Rookie-of-the-Year Award – Freshman Kim Constantinesco (Dallas,
TX)
Men's
Ice Hockey
Most Valuable Player – Junior Ron Ferrante (East Haven, CT)
Outstanding Defensive Player – Sophomore Ryan Smith (Warwick,
RI)
7th Player Award – Freshman Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury, MA)
Women's
Swimming
Most Valuable Swimmer – Freshman Kelli Arsenault (Branford,
CT)
Most Versatile Swimmer – Freshman Michelle Boss (Fremont,
NH)
Coaches' Award – Sophomore Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA)
Wrestling
Most Valuable Player – Senior Kayode Mason (Holderness, NH)
Most Improved Wrestler – Freshman Jeff Bouyea (East Longmeadow,
MA)
Joe Leto Award – Sophomore Vinnie Leto (New Milford, CT)
Men's
Bowling
Most Valuable Player – Graduate Student Rob Volk (E. Setauket,
NY)
Most Improved Player – Graduate Student Matt Derry (Sheldon,
VT)
Rookie-of-the-Year – Freshman Dan Kryzak (Hagaman, NY)
Women's
Bowling
Most Valuable Player – Sophomore Lindy Videll (East Hampton,
CT)
Coach Burns Leadership Award – Junior Kelly McNally (Voorheesville,
NY) Coaches Award – Graduate Student Melissa Orazio (Dalton,
MA)
TENNIS CO-CAPTAIN MIKE RAYMOND AND LACROSSE STANDOUT BRENNA PLUTINO NAMED WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Thomas Allessio GNAC Baseball Player-of-the-Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 2, 2002) — Senior tennis co-captain Mike Raymond (Vernon, CT — Rockville High School) and junior lacrosse standout Brenna Plutino (Pitman, NJ — Pitman High School) were honored Tuesday (April 2) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Raymond, a sport management major, captured both his No.1 singles and doubles matches against opponents from Emerson College and Suffolk University.
A psychology major, Plutino had two goals and an assist in a 9-3 victory at Keene State College as the Golden Bears improved their record to 4-0. She also scored four goals in a 14-3 win over Mount Holyoke College. Her brother Sandrino Plutino was among the top freshmen on the WNEC wrestling team this past winter.
In other news, Western New England College senior second baseman Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA — Taconic High School) received his second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Player-of-the-Week Award on April 1. He hit .455 (5-for-11) and had three steals in four wins. Allessio is a business major at Western New England College.
THANK YOU, ALUMNI
Western New England College would like to thank all the alumni who have nominated individuals for the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame, and mailed us copies of past team statistics for our sports library. Your support of the athletics program is greatly appreciated.
BASEBALL CO-CAPTAIN THOMAS ALLESSIO AND LACROSSE STAR CHRISTIE PFISTER NAMED ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 27, 2002) — Senior baseball co-captain Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA — Taconic High School) and junior lacrosse standout Christie Pfister (East Greenbush, NY — Columbia High School) were honored Tuesday (March 26) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Allessio, an outfielder, hit .391 in seven games as the Golden Bears posted a 5-2 record at the Homestead Challenge in Homestead, Florida. He also had the game-winning hit in a 2-1, 12-inning victory over host Johnson & Wales University on March 24. Allessio, a business major, also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Player-of-the-Week.
Pfister scored four goals and had one assist from her attack position in a 14-3 victory over Mount Holyoke College on March 24 (which was her 21st birthday). She also scored a career-high five goals in an 11-10 win over Stevens Institute of Technology in the season opener. A marketing major, Pfister is second on the team in scoring with 13 points (12 goals, 1 assist) in three games.
In other news, senior second baseman Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Softball Player-of-the-Week on March 25. She hit .561 in eight games as the Golden Bears posted a 5-3 record at the Disney Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida during spring break. Pernaa is a sociology/elementary education major.
SOFTBALL CAPTAIN JENI PERNAA AND LACROSSE PLAYER ALEX NACLERIO NAMED ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 19, 2002) — Senior softball co-captain Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School)) and sophomore lacrosse player Alex Naclerio (White Plains, NY — Iona Preparatory School) were honored Tuesday (March 19) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Pernaa, a second baseman, hit a team-high .524 (11-for-21) with seven walks and three stolen bases in eight games at the Disney Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida during spring break. She also didn't make an error in 31 chances. Weather permitting, WNEC (5-3) will open its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) season on Friday (March 22) against visiting Saint Joseph College, Connecticut.
Naclerio, a midfielder, compiled eight points as the Golden Bears won their first two games of the season over UMass-Dartmouth (24-16) and Greensboro, North Carolina (14-3). He had four goals and one assist against UMass-Dartmouth and three goals vs. Greensboro. Naclerio is tied for third on the team in scoring with 11 points (10 goals, 1 assist). WNEC (2-2) will open its Pilgrim League season on Saturday (March 23) at Wheaton College.
SEVEN WESTERN NEW ENGLAND STUDENT-ATHLETES PLAYERS NAMED TO NFHCA DIVISION III ACADEMIC TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 19, 2002) — Seven Western New England College student-athletes were named to the 2001 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Academic Team that was announced Monday (March 11).
They are senior goalie Jennifer Mikulec (Farmington, CT — Farmington High School), 3.50 grade-point-average, marketing communications/advertising; sophomore forward/midfielder Bethany Fleck (Somers, CT — Somers High School), 3.80, psychology/education; sophomore forward Nicole DeRosa (Utica, NY — Whitesboro High School), 3.63, psychology; sophomore forward Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY — East Rochester High School), 4.00, finance; sophomore forward/midfielder Jessica Postoian (Cumberland, RI — Cumberland High School), 3.95, biology; freshman defender/midfielder Amy Benedict (Bloomingburg, NY — Pine Bush High School), 3.31, finance, and freshman midfielder/forward Sarah Cunningham (LaGrangeville, NY Ń Arlington High School), 3.46, math.
Mikulec, DeRosa, Fleck, and Postoian made the honor squad for the second straight year.
To earn a spot on the NFHCA Academic Team, a player must be a starter or important reserve, and have a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade-point-average in their major.
Western New England posted a 9-10 record last fall, which were the squadÕs most wins since 1987. The Golden Bears finished third in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) with a 3-2 mark.
THREE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS SELECTED TO ALL-GNAC TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 27, 2002) — Western New England College senior center Andy Thornton (Chicopee, MA — Chicopee High School) and junior guard Mike O'Connor (Farmington, CT — Farmington High School) were named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Basketball Second Team while junior forward Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA — Chicopee High School) made the All-GNAC Third Team.
Thornton led the Golden Bears in scoring (12.5 avg.), rebounding (6.4), and field-goal percentage (49.4) this season. O'Connor was third in scoring (12.1), first in assists (102), tied for first in steals (41), and second in three point field-goals (34). Hebert was second in scoring (12.3) and rebounding (6.2), and first in free-throw percentage (81.5) and blocked shots (34).
In other GNAC news, Western New England College freshman forward Anthony Charbatji (Attleboro, MA — Attleboro High School) was named the GNAC Men's Basketball Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Feb. 25). He averaged 16.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in two playoff games while shooting 43% from the field. Charbatji also pulled down a career-high nine rebounds against Daniel Webster College. Charbatji averaged 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds this season while shooting 48.6% from the field. He led the Golden Bears in three-point field-goal percentage (44.6).
Western New England College posted a 16-10 record for its fourth consecutive winning season under Coach Doug Pearson. The Golden Bears placed first in the GNAC North Division with a 9-4 mark and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
HOCKEY GOALIE CHRIS BELDEN AND BASKETBALL FORWARD CHRISTINE DANNER NAMED ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 26, 2002) — Ice hockey goalie Chris Belden (Springfield, MA — Putnam Voc Technical High School)) and basketball forward Christine Danner (Embden, ME — Carrabec High School) were honored Tuesday (Feb. 26) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Belden, a junior, made 52 saves in a loss at Curry College in the season-finale on February 21. Danner, a senior co-captain, was selected to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Tournament Team after scoring a season high 10 points with a career high 14 rebounds in a loss against nationally-ranked Emmanuel College in a conference tournament semifinal contest on February 23.
WNEC VISITS BABSON IN ECAC NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III TOURNEY
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb.26, 2002) — Western New England College's women's basketball team will visit Babson College in an opening round game of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 27) at the Staake Gymnasium in Babson Park.
Western New England (20-7) is seeded sixth in the eight-team tournament while Babson (18-9) is seeded third. The Golden Bears are participating in the ECAC Tournament for the first time in eight years.
WNEC leads the all-time series with Babson by a 4-1 margin, but this will be the first meeting between the schools in 17 years.
2002 ECAC New England Division III Women's Basketball Tournament
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002 — Quarterfinals
No. 8 seed Coast Guard (16-10) at No. 1 seed Plymouth State (18-8), 6 p.m.
No. 7 seed Wellesley (16-8) at No. 2 seed Norwich (20-6), 7 p.m.
No. 6 seed Western New England (20-7) at No. 3 seed Babson (18-9), 7 p.m.
No. 5 seed Colby-Sawyer (18-9) at No. 4 Keene State (16-10), 5:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3 — Semifinals at highest remaining seed Saturday,
March 2 — Semifinals
Plymouth State/Coast Guard winner vs. Keene State/Colby-Sawyer winner Norwich/Wellesley winner vs. Babson/WNEC winner
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS NATIONALLY-RANKED
Western New England College's freshman setter Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT) was ranked 11th in service aces (1.18 avg.) and junior opposite hitter Sarah Lerz (Wolcott, CT) 16th (1.06) in the final NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball statistics released February 18. WNEC (19-14) was third nationally in service aces (5.38) and ninth in hitting percentage (.281).
BASKETBALL CAPTAINS ANDY THORNTON AND JOYCE NEILSON SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Kim Constantinesco named the GNAC WomenÕs Basketball Rookie-of-the-Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 19, 2002) — Basketball captains Andy Thornton (Chicopee, MA) and Joyce Neilson (Salisbury, CT)) were honored Tuesday (Feb. 19) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Thornton, a senior center, averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in two games. He had 11 points and five rebounds against Norwich University in his first start since injuring his ankle against the Cadets last month. Thornton also made his first career three-pointer against Norwich. A business management major, Thornton leads the Golden Bears in scoring (12.7 avg.) and rebounding (6.7), and is second in field-goal percentage (50.3).
Neilson, a senior point guard, averaged 11.3 points and 3.0 steals in three victories. She shot 63.2% from the field (12-for-19) and made all four free-throw attempts. A sport management major, Neilson also had a season high 17 points (all in the first half) against Simmons College.
In other news, Western New England College freshman forward Kim Constantinesco (Dallas, TX) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Basketball Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Feb. 18). She averaged 12.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in three contests off the bench. She shot 50% from the field (14-for-28) and 87.5% from the foul line (7-for-8). Constantinesco, a psychology major, also had a career high 24 points.
WNEC COACH BOB SKELTON AND FORMER STANDOUT GARY SOLOMON NAMED TO NECCWA HALL OF FAME
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 15, 2002) — Western New England College coach Bob Skelton and former Golden Bears standout Gary Solomon will be among nine individuals inducted into the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Hall of Fame on Sunday (Feb. 17). The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. before the championship finals of the conference tournament at Blake Arena on the Springfield College campus.
Skelton, a resident of East Longmeadow, founded the WNEC wrestling program in 1975 and has compiled a 394-218-7 record (64.2 winning percentage) in 27 seasons. He was elected to the NCAA Division III Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 and the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. A former president of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association, Skelton has coached 135 All-New England wrestlers, 27 New England champions, 13 NCAA Division III All-Americans, 34 All-Academic honorees, and an Olympic medallist (Rodney Smith who earned a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain).
Solomon was the NECCWA "Outstanding Wrestler" in both 1985 and 1986 after winning the 190-pound weight class title. He compiled an overall record of 121-16, including a 73-11 mark in dual-meet competition. Solomon was a Scholar-All America selection in 1984 and four-time New England champion. He received NCAA Division III All-America honors after placing fifth in 1984 and fourth in 1985. A 1986 WNEC graduate, Solomon resides in Durham, Connecticut with his wife Aggie and their five children.
FRESHMEN ANTHONY CHARBATJI AND KIM CONSTANTINESCO SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Kris Hebert named to GNAC Men's Basketball weekly honor roll
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 12, 2002) — Freshmen basketball standouts Anthony Charbatji (Attleboro, MA) and Kim Constantinesco (Dallas, TX) were honored Tuesday (Feb. 12) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Charbatji, a sports management major, averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in three games last week while shooting 63.9% from the field (23-36). He scored a career-high 22 points in a victory against Daniel Webster and added 22 points in a win over Emmanuel College. A forward, Charbatji is averaging 9.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games (17 starts). He is shooting 50.0% from the field (83-166), including 47.9% from three-point territory (23-48), and 72.4% from the foul line (21-29).
Constantinesco, a psychology major, averaged 11.3 points and shot 61.9% from the field (13-21) in three contests off the bench. She scored 14 points with five rebounds in a loss against No. 10 Emmanuel College. A forward, Constantinesco is second on the team in scoring with an 8.7 average, first in field-goal percentage (51.7), and tied for first in free-throw percentage (77.5) in 22 games.
In other news, Western New England College junior forward Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA) was named Monday (Feb. 11) to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Basketball weekly honor roll. Hebert, an accounting major, averaged 19.3 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 52.6% from the field (20-38) and 88.2% from the foul line (15-17). His best effort was a 23-point, 12-rebound performance in a win over Albertus Magnus College.
MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM TO PLAY AT AMELIA PARK RINK AND SPRINGFIELD C.C.
WNEC Night at the "Nest" Friday, February 8
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 4, 2002) — Western New England College's men's ice hockey team will host Nichols College in an ECAC Northeast contest at the new Amelia Park Ice Rink in Westfield beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6.
The Golden Bears have a 3-11 record following a 4-3 victory over Suffolk University on January 29. Senior defenseman Brian Walachy (Holyoke, MA) scored two goals and junior goalie Chris Belden (Springfield, MA) made 36 saves as the Golden Bears snapped an eight game losing streak.
Western New England College will entertain Franklin Pierce College at 2 p.m. Friday, February 8, as part of the first Western New England College Alumni Night at the "Nest" with the Springfield Falcons. Admission is free to the WNEC contest.
Western New England College students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be able to attend the Falcons game with the Albany River Rats at a discount price ($7). Western New England College president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio will drop the ceremonial first puck before the Falcons contest.
In addition, Western New England College's School of Business Sport Management Program will host a Careers in Sport workshop Friday, February 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the WNEC Room at the Springfield Civic Center. Representatives from the American Hockey League and the NBA will be among the featured speakers. For more information, please contact Coach Karl Enroth at 796-2283.
WNEC HOSTS NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY SATURDAY
Student-Athlete academic honorees to be honored
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 4, 2002) — Western New England College will host its third annual Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, February 9 in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.
Approximately 150 girls ages 8-12 from the Greater City of Springfield area will attend the event that includes clinics in seven sports (basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball) and instruction by WNEC coaches and varsity athletes. In addition, recreation time will be made available and lunch provided.
Five members of the Springfield Spirit pro women's basketball team, including former UConn player Christine Rigby, will sign autographs later in the morning.
All youngsters are asked to donate two canned goods, which will be given to a local domestic violence shelter.
As a bonus Saturday, all the participants will be able to attend the WNEC-Emmanuel women's basketball game that starts at 1 p.m. At half-time, WNEC will honor all of its women student athlete academic honorees, including Verizon First Team Academic All America Laura Sturgis (women's lacrosse).
Western New England College also will honor its male student athlete academic standouts at half-time of the WNEC-Emmanuel men's basketball game that is schedule to begin at 3 p.m.
JUNIOR JAMIE CARNEY AND SOPHOMORE MIKE MAYNARD SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Kris Hebert selected to GNAC Men's Basketball weekly honor roll
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 29, 2002) — Junior basketball star Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA — Nauset Regional High School) and sophomore wrestling standout Mike Maynard (Springfield, MA — Cathedral High School) were honored Tuesday (Jan. 29) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Carney, a forward, scored a season high 20 points in a victory over visiting Pine Manor College. She made 8-of-10 shots from the field, and was 4-for-4 from the foul line. Carney also pulled down three rebounds, and had three assists and three steals as the Golden Bears improved their record to 14-2. She leads the team in scoring (10.8 avg.) and rebounding (7.9).
Maynard posted wins in the 157-lb. weight class over opponents from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and host N.Y. Maritime Academy last Saturday (Jan. 26). He has an 8-8 record in dual-meet competition and an overall mark of 11-12.
In other news, Western New England College junior forward Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA — Chicopee High School) was named Monday (Jan. 28) to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Basketball weekly honor roll. Hebert averaged 14.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in victories over Norwich University, Daniel Webster College, and Rivier College. He scored 23 points and made the winning three-point play with four seconds remaining in overtime in a 71-68 road victory at Norwich on January 22.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM RANKED SECOND NATIONALLY IN SCORING DEFENSE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 23, 2002) — Western New England College's women's basketball team is ranked second among NCAA Division III schools in scoring defense, according to the latest national statistics released Wednesday (Jan. 23).
The Golden Bears (13-2) are allowing only 46.9 points an outing through 15 games. Maine Maritime Academy leads the nation with a 46.4 average. WNEC also is tied for seventh nationally with Pine Manor College in field-goal percentage defense (31.7).
Last year Coach Wendy Davis' squad finished fourth nationally in scoring defense (48.4) and 15th in field-goal defense (33.4). Western New England has an eight-game winning streak entering a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) meeting with Pine Manor starting at 1 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 26) in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.
JUNIORS SUZANNE MONAHAN AND MIKE O'CONNOR SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Jamie Carney selected to GNAC Women's Basketball weekly honor roll
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 23, 2002) — Junior swimming standout Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ — Madison High School) and junior basketball co-captain Mike O'Connor (Farmington, CT — Farmington High School) were honored Tuesday (Jan. 22) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
In a double dual meet last Saturday (Jan. 19) against host Elms College and Wheelock College, Monahan was a double winner in the 100-meter individual medley and 400-meter freestyle events. She established a school record in the 400 freestyle (5 minutes, 18.23 seconds) by an incredible 51 seconds. Monahan is a communications major. Western New England College visits Saint Joseph College (Conn.) on Wednesday (Jan. 23).
O'Connor, the starting point guard, averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in a 2-1 week. He also shot 51.5% from the field (17-for-33) and 76.9% from the foul line (10-for-13). O'Connor had 18 points in an 83-78 win at Westfield State College and 17 points in a 75-66 win at Johnson & Wales University. A sport management major, O'Connor is second on the squad in scoring (12.2 avg.) and steals (24), and first in assists (41). WNEC (9-6 with a three-game winning streak) hosts Daniel Webster College at 7 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 24).
In other news, Western New England College junior forward Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA — Nauset Regional High School) was named Monday (Jan. 21) to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Basketball weekly honor roll. Carney averaged 13.7 points and 11.0 rebounds in a 3-0 week while shooting 51.6% from the field (16-for-31) and 70% from the foul line (7-for-10). She compiled back-to-back double-doubles against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (10 points, 15 rebounds) and Johnson & Wales University (16 points, 12 rebounds). Carney, a biology major, leads the Golden Bears in scoring (10.1 avg.) and rebounding (8.2). WNEC (13-2) has an eight-game winning streak entering a home contest against Pine Manor College at 1 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 26).
SENIOR KAYODE MASON AND JUNIOR LINDSEY BLACK SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Gerry Toney GNAC Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 8, 2002) — Senior wrestling standout Kayode Mason (Holderness, NH — Plymouth Regional High School) and junior basketball guard Lindsey Black (Bernardston, MA — Pioneer Valley Regional High School) were honored Tuesday (Jan. 8) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Mason, a mechanical engineering major, won all three of his matches by pins over opponents from York College (Pa.), Southern Maine University, and Ursinus College (Pa.) at the North-South Duals Classic last Saturday (Jan. 5) in Hartford, Connecticut.
Black, a marketing communications major, scored a season high 18 points (7-for-11 from the field) off the bench with six rebounds, and two steals in a 58-39 road win over Russell Sage College last Sunday (Jan. 6) in Troy, N.Y. as WNEC improved its record to 8-2.
In other news, Western New England College junior guard Gerry Toney (West Hartford, CT — Conard High School) was honored Monday (Jan. 7) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week.
An engineering major, Toney scored a career high 22 points on eight-of-11 shooting from the field (including six-of-eight three pointers) in a 71-56 win over host WPI last Saturday (Jan. 5) that helped the Golden Bears (4-4) break a two-game losing streak.
MEN'S TENNIS CAPTAIN MIKE RAYMOND NAMED TO NCAA STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 4, 2002) — Western New England College senior men's tennis captain Mike Raymond of Vernon, Connecticut has been named to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Raymond, a sport management major, is among 24 individuals (and the first WNEC student-athlete) to serve on this national committee.
According to the NCAA, the purpose of the SAAC "is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity for all student-athletes, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image, while maintaining the tenants of the Division III philosophy."
Raymond will attend the committee's first meeting of the school year January 10-15 at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.
"This is an enormous honor to be among 24 student-athletes in the country serving on this important committee," said Raymond. "It's also a wonderful opportunity to represent Western New England College and the athletics department on a national level."
Raymond is a four-year member of the Western New England College men's tennis team and the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament No. 2 singles champion. Last year he received his second Coach Phillip Sweeney Team Leadership Award after compiling a 25-5 record (83.3%) that was a school record for wins in a season. Raymond was the team MVP in 2000.
Raymond serves as president of the WNEC Sport Management Association and is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, and School of Business Dean's List. He has received several academic accolades, including the Presidential Scholars Award.
Raymond also is a two-time selection to the GNAC Academic Team and is a candidate for the national Verizon Academic All-America Team. He also works as a student assistant in the athletic communications office.
Western New England College athletics director and GNAC commissioner Mike Theulen noted that Raymond also is the first student-athlete from the conference to serve on the NCAA committee. "Mike has enjoyed a tremendous career on the tennis court and in the classroom, and he truly exemplifies the true meaning of the term student-athlete," stated Theulen.
Raymond is a 1998 graduate of Rockville High School where he was captain of the boys' tennis team and a Central Connecticut Conference East All-Star.
FRESHMAN SANDRINO PLUTINO HONORED AS THE WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 11, 2001) — Freshman wrestling standout Sandrino Plutino (Pitman, NJ) was honored Tuesday (Dec. 11) as the Western New England College Athlete-of-the-Week.
Plutino was named to the Williams Dual-Meet All-Tournament after defeating Aaron Sobol of New York University, 7-0, in the 165-lb. weight class. Plutino also recorded a 10-0 victory over Travis Banister of the University of Southern Maine that helped the Golden Bears win their first match of the season (34-24).
A criminal justice major, Plutino is a 2001 graduate of Pitman High School where he served as captain of the wrestling team while earning Tri-County All-Star First Team honors. He also was a member of the football squad.
Plutino's sister Brenna is a junior at Western New England College and a member of the field hockey and lacrosse teams.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SENIOR DEREK BOYD RECIPIENT OF INAUGURAL JIMMY GEYER AWARD
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 10, 2001) — Western New England College senior football quarterback Derek Boyd (Georgetown, MA — Georgetown High School) received the inaugural Jimmy Geyer Award for leadership and courage at the school's Fall Sports Banquet on December 1.
The award is named in honor of former WNEC wide receiver Jimmy Geyer, Class of 1982, who was killed in the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center on September 11. Geyer, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, played football for four years and was a member of the school's first NCAA Division III team in 1981.
Boyd battled back from an enzyme deficiency that had the potential to cause kidney failure and heat stroke to play the last three games of the 2001 season after starting the year as a student assistant coach.
The former Georgetown High School standout first showed symptoms of the illness in 2000 when he developed cramps in the season opener against Westfield State College. He played in only two games the entire season before learning of his illness.
This past summer, Boyd joined the Golden Bears coaching staff as the quarterbacks coach. In mid-October, he received medical clearance to play football on a limited basis.
WNEC was 0-5 when Boyd made his first appearance on October 20 in the Senior Day contest against Framingham State College. He completed only one-of-four passes, but it was a 23-yard touchdown toss to freshman split end Stephen Johnson that helped the team to a 57-21 victory. The 57 points was a school record.
Western New England College raised $1,500 that afternoon for the Geyer Family.
Boyd, a criminal justice major, completed 3-of-7 passes for 74 yards the following week in a 28-21 road win over MIT. In the final game of his career, Boyd completed 5-of-10 passes for 128 yards, including a 38-yard scoring pass to one of his best friends, senior wide receiver Jody Lemoi. The Golden Bears came away with a 36-15 victory to finish with a three-game winning streak and 3-5 record.
"Derek's comeback was nothing short of miraculous," said WNEC coach Gerry Martin. "When he came back as a coach, we were extremely happy to have him back on the sidelines. Derek worked hard and became one of our better coaches."
At the banquet, Philip and JoAnn Geyer (the parents of Jimmy Geyer) helped present Boyd with his award.
While at Georgetown High School, Boyd served as a team captain in football and was both a Commonwealth Athletic Conference and All-State selection. He also lettered in baseball and basketball.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE TO HOST INAUGURAL PIONEER VALLEY HOOP CLASSIC ON DECEMBER 7-8
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 5, 2001) — Western New England College's Alumni Healthful Living Center will be the site of the inaugural Pioneer Valley Hoop Classic men's basketball tournament on Friday and Saturday, December 7-8.
In opening round action Friday (Dec. 7), WNEC (3-2) meets Amherst College (3-1) at 5:30 p.m. followed by a game between Springfield College (4-1)and Westfield State College (2-4) at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday (Dec. 8), Amherst will play Westfield State at 4 p.m. with Western New England playing Springfield at 6.
Because of the Classic format, there will be no tournament champion.
"We're looking forward to an exciting weekend of basketball," said Western New England College athletics director Mike Theulen. "This is a great opportunity to showcase Division III basketball while getting involved with community projects. The possibilities of our combined outreach in the form of clinics and community partnerships are endless, and we expect to do more in the future."
The Dunbar Community Center in Springfield will be the special guest of Western New England College during the weekend. Boys and girls youth teams will perform at half-time of the first three games. In addition, all proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Dunbar Community Center.
The West-District Ball-Handling Team from Farmington, Connecticut will perform during half-time of the WNEC-Springfield game on Saturday. The squad consists of students in grades three through five from the West District Elementary School under the direction of Bob O'Connor, the father of WNEC junior guard and team co-captain Mike O'Connor.
Tickets are $5 for adults with all students and children admitted free. Senior citizens will be admitted free, along with Western New England College faculty and staff upon presentation of their school ID cards.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE FALL SPORTS TEAM AWARD RECIPIENTS (Dec. 1, 2001)
Men's
Cross Country
Most
Valuable Runner - Freshman Dan Smith (Enfield, CT)
Most Improved Runner - Junior Paul Tinker (Lebanon, NH)
Unsung Hero - Senior Jesse Mushenko (Monson, MA)
Women's
Cross Country
Most
Valuable Runner - Junior co-captain Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA)
Most Improved Runner - Senior co-captain Lindsay Barnes (Ware,
MA)
Unsung Hero - Freshman Colleen Dolbec (Newfield, MA)
Field
Hockey
Most
Valuable Player - Senior captain Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT)
Unsung Hero - Junior Teresa DeLucca (Red Hook, NY)
Coaches
Award - Sophomore Jessica Postoian (Cumberland, RI)
Football
Jimmy Geyer Award - Senior Derek Boyd (Georgetown, MA)
Offensive
Most Valuable Player - Senior captain Marvin Langley (Lewiston,
ME)
Defensive Most Valuable Player - Senior Corey Goldstein (New Hyde
Park, NY)
Coaches
Award - Senior Justin Clark (Ipswich, MA)
Men's
Soccer
Ed
Lindsay Award - Freshman Craig Carroll (Cobleskill, NY)
12th Man Award - Freshman Kevin Lutter (Dowington, PA)
Coaches
Award - Freshman Scott Thornton (Bedford, NH)
Women's
Soccer
Most
Valuable Player - Junior Molly Burke (Westfield, MA)
Best Offensive Player - Senior Kristen Ogulewicz (Springfield,
MA)
Best
Defensive Player - Freshman Amy Camerota (Westfield, MA)
Women's
Tennis
Coaches
Award - Junior co-captain Jessica Fasulo (Medford, NY)
Rookie-of-the-Year - Freshman Tricia Trioano (Stewart Manor, NY)
Unsung
Hero - Junior co-captain Elayna Lazzaro (Worcester, MA)
Women's
Volleyball
Most
Valuable Player - Senior tri-captain Jill Luby (Newark Valley,
NY)
Unsung Hero - Junior tri-captain Sarah Lerz (Wolcott, CT)
Most
Improved Player - Freshman Liz Gurekovich (New Britain, CT)
JV
Women's Volleyball
Most
Valuable Player - Junior Nicole Holquin (Springfield, MA)
Unsung Hero - Sophomore Katie Habernig (Kingston, NY))
Most
Improved Player - Sophomore Kim Chusmir (Cromwell, CT)
BASKETBALL PLAYER KRISTA SAVARD SELECTED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Ń Women's basketball guard Krista Savard (Fairfield, CT) was honored Tuesday (Nov. 27) as the Western New England College Athlete-of-the-Week.
Savard, a sophomore, scored a game high 13 points with four steals and two assists in a 71-50 victory over WPI on November 20. She also was named to the Mount Holyoke Tip-Off All-Tournament Team after scoring 16 points with four steals, three assists, and three rebounds in a 71-27 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in the third place game on November 17.
Through three games, Savard is averaging a team high 10.3 points while shooting 50% from the field (11-for-22) and 75% from the foul line (9-for-12).
A marketing/advertising communications major, Savard is a 2000 graduate of Fairfield High School where she was All-League performer in basketball and soccer.
Western New England College (2-1) hosts Framingham State College at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 27).
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGEÕS MARVIN LANGLEY NAMED TO NEW ENGLAND FOOTBALL WRITERS II/III ALL-STAR TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2001) — Western New England College senior running back Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME Ń Lewiston High School) was named to the 2001 New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Star Team on Tuesday (Nov. 20).
Langley, a computer information systems major, was a repeat selection to the honor squad. This fall, Langley made the New England Football Conference (NEFC) All-Star First Team for the second consecutive year after leading the conference in all-purpose yards (189.3 yards per game that was eighth nationally). He finished second in the conference in rushing (136.8 that tied for ninth nationally) after gaining 1,094 yards in eight games with 12 touchdowns. His 72 points tied for first in the conference (9.0 avg.).
A team captain, Langley had five 100-yard games with a season best performance of 261 yards against MIT that was the eighth best performance of the season among NCAA Division III players.
Langley ended his sensational career with 3,401 yards rushing and 41 touchdowns. Langley was the 2000 NEFC Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year.
BRIAN LUCE OF WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE NAMED TO VERIZON ACADEMIC DISTRICT 1 FOOTBALL TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2001) — Western New England College senior strong safety Brian Luce (Anson, ME — Madison Memorial High School) has been named to the 2001 Verizon Academic District 1 Football Team for the second straight year.
Luce, a team captain, has a 3.49 cumulative grade-point-average in electrical engineering. This fall, he tied for second on the team with 59 tackles (33 unassisted), including eight for losses, with two interceptions. Luce also tied for fifth nationally among NCAA Division III players with a 28.8 kickoff return average.
Luce is now a candidate for the Verizon Academic All-America Football Team that will be announced on Monday, December 10.
WESTERN
NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SPORTS NOTEBOOK
(Nov.
19, 2001)
NATIONAL
LEADERS
Western
New England College senior running back Marvin Langley (Lewiston,
ME) was nationally ranked in four NCAA Division III statistical categories.
He was eighth in all-purpose yards (189.3 yards per game avg.), tied for
ninth in rushing (136.8), and tied for 29th in scoring (9.0). Langley
had the eighth best rushing performance in the nation with 261 yards against
MIT. He ran for 1,094 yards this season with 12 touchdowns in eight games.
Langley, a member of the New England Football Conference (NEFC) All-Star
First Team, finished his career with 3,401 yards and 41 touchdowns. Senior
strong safety Brian Luce (Anson, ME) tied for fifth nationally
in kickoff returns (28.8 avg.). WNEC's school record 543 yards rushing
against Framingham State was the fifth best performance among NCAA Division
III schools this fall. In women's soccer, WNEC junior forward Molly
Burke (Westfield, MA) tied for third nationally with a 13-point performance
against Daniel Webster. Her five goals against Daniel Webster were tied
for fourth while her three assists in the match was tied for 15th nationally.
Western New England College senior Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT)
led the nation's NCAA Division III field hockey goalies with 274 saves
and ranked second nationally with a 91.6 save percentage.
WHO'S
WHO AMONG STUDENTS
Seven
Western New England College senior student-athletes have been selected
to the 2002 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities
and Colleges. They are seniors Christine Danner (Embden, ME), women's
basketball captain; Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA), women's soccer
captain; Kevin Hassett (Pembroke, MA), men's tennis; Kelly Goodyear
(Meriden, CT), women's cross country; Jody Lemoi (Scituate, RI),
football captain; Jill Luby (Owego, NY), women's volleyball captain;
Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT), field hockey captain.
MEN'S
BASKETBALL
Western
New England College junior forward Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA) made
a successful return to the starting lineup by averaging 23.0 points while
shooting a remarkable 77.3% from the field (17-for-22) in two wins as
the Golden Bears captured the Hartwick Holiday Inn Tournament title last
weekend. Hebert played in only 12 games as freshman and missed last year
with a knee injury. He was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference
(GNAC) Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Nov. 19). Senior
center Andy Thornton (Chicopee, MA) made the GNAC weekly honor
roll. He was the MVP of the Hartwick Tournament after averaging 14 points
and 10 rebounds.
MEN'S
ICE HOCKEY
After
playing its first five games on the road, Western New England College's
men's ice hockey team (1-4) team opens its home season against Framingham
State College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 27) at the Olympia Ice Center
in West Springfield. Just added to the schedule is a game against Franklin
Pierce College at the Springfield Civic Center starting at 2 p.m. Friday,
February 8.
WRESTLING
Western New England College senior Jason LaPaglia (Wayne, NJ) is
sixth in the 141-pound weight class in the latest New England Division
III Wrestling Rankings.
CYNDI COSTANZO NAMED ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 13, 2001) — Cyndi Costanzo of Ellington, Connecticut has been named assistant director of athletics at Western New England College.
Costanzo is in her seventh year as a member of the WNEC administrative staff and third year as the school's NCAA senior woman administrator. She also serves as the director of the wellness, intramurals, and recreation at the College, and is the physical education curriculum coordinator and an instructor in physical education.
Costanzo is a 1988 graduate of the University of Connecticut where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training. She also received her Master of Arts degree in biophysical science from UConn in 1990.
Costanzo and her husband Paul (the chairperson of the marketing department at Western New England College) are the parents of four-year twins, James and Emily.
In other WNEC news, Kim O'Leary has been named head athletic trainer while Mike Vallee has been appointed athletic trainer. Lesley Morgan has been named assistant women's basketball coach, Dave McKenna assistant men's ice hockey coach, and former Olympic bronze medallist Rodney Smith assistant wrestling coach.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGEÕS MARVIN LANGLEY AND CHARLES ADAMS SELECTED TO NEFC ALL-STAR TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov .13, 2001) — Western New England College senior running back Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME — Lewiston High School) and junior linebacker Charles Adams (Reading, PA — Wilson High School) were named to the 2001 New England Football Conference (NEFC) All-Star Team on Tuesday (Nov. 13).
Langley, a computer information systems major, made the NEFC All-Star First Team for the second consecutive year after leading the conference in all-purpose yards (189.3 yards per game). He finished second in rushing (136.8) after gaining 1,094 yards in eight games with 12 touchdowns. His 72 points tied for first in the conference (9.0 avg.). A team captain, Langley had five 100-yard games with a season best performance of 261 yards against MIT. He ended his sensational career with 3,401 yards rushing and 41 touchdowns. Langley was the 2000 NEFC Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year.
Adams, a computer science major, was voted to the NEFC All-Star Second Team after compiling a team high 76 tackles (9.5 avg.) that was seventh in the conference. He also recorded 37 unassisted tackles and had 11.5 tackles for losses (eighth in the conference) along with two fumble recoveries.
In other NEFC news, Although he wasn't selected to the NEFC All-Star Team, senior strong safety and kick returner Brian Luce (Anson, ME — Madison Memorial High School) enjoyed another great season. He tied for second on the squad with 59 tackles and had two interceptions. Luce, a team captain, also was second in the NEFC in kickoff returns (28.8 avg. for eight returns).
Freshman punter Mike Lynch (Yorktown, NY — Yorktown High School) finished third in the NEFC with a 34.9 average for 56 kicks with a career best 61-yarder against Nichols College.
Freshman Loren Estabrook (Sharon, NH — Conval High School) tied for seventh among NEFC place-kickers with 20 points. Estabrook missed his first PAT in the season-opener against Westfield State College, and then made 20 consecutive kicks.
Western New England College posted a 3-5 record this fall after winning its last three contests of the season.
SENIOR BRIAN LUCE AND JUNIOR BRENDA POST SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 6, 2001) — Senior football captain Brian Luce (Anson, ME — Madison Memorial High School) and junior volleyball captain Brenda Post (Groton, CT Ń Fitch High School) were honored Tuesday (Nov. 6) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Luce, a strong safety, ended his outstanding career by scoring two touchdowns on an 82-yard kickoff return in the third quarter and a school record 80-yard interception return in the fourth quarter in a 36-15 win at Fitchburg State College on November 3. Earlier this season, he had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against UMass-Dartmouth. Luce tied for second on the squad with 59 tackles this fall. An electrical engineering major (3.49 grade-point-average), Luce also was named Monday (Nov. 5) to the New England Football Conference (NEFC) weekly honor roll. He is a candidate for the prestigious Verizon Academic All-America team. WNEC (3-5) won its last three games of the season.
Post, an outside hitter, was named to the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball All-Tournament Team after compiling 29 kills in two matches. A history major, Post was among the top players on the Golden Bears' squad that set a school record with 19 victories against 14 losses this fall for its third straight winning season. She led the team in hitting percentage (.351) and kills (371), and was third in service aces (111). WNEC placed third in the conference with an 8-3 mark and advanced to the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament.
In other news, Western New England College freshman forward Jose Molina (Stamford, CT — West Hill High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week. He scored the tying goal in 1-1 four-overtime draw against Albertus Magnus College on October 31 in a semifinal match of the conference tournament that the Golden Bears won on penalty-kicks. A physician assistant major, Molina has a team-high 32 points (11 goals, 10 assists), which is tied for fourth in the conference. The Golden Bears placed second in the conference with a 7-1 mark and second in the GNAC Tournament. WNEC has a 14-7-1 record entering a match Wednesday (Nov. 7) at Westfield State College in the ECAC Division III Tournament.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S MIDNIGHT MAYHEM SLATED FOR FRIDAY
By Mike Raymond '02
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 30, 2001) — In day-to-day life, there are always constants that signal the turning of the season. For some, it's the leaves changing.For others, it's the decorations they put up in their houses.
For Western New England College students in November, it's pure MayhemÉ. Midnight Mayhem.
Midnight Mayhem will take place this Friday, November 2, in the Alumni Healthful Living Center. Admission is free, and there will be a barbecue taking place starting at 8:30 p.m. in front of the building. The event itself will start at 10 p.m.
This year's festivities are once again centered on the ever-popular Clash of the Classes, along with the introduction of the winter sports teams. The evening will be produced for the second year in a row by the Sport Facility Management class, led by Dr. Sharianne Walker.
It is anticipated to be the most successful one yet. While some parts of the event schedule have changed, other classic components have remained the same. Returning to the fold are the Dizzy Bat Race, the Three Point Shooting Contest, the Tug of War, Let's Make a Deal, and the Dash for Cash.
In addition, three lucky people will once again have the opportunity to win $10,000 with their hot shooting skills. Changing things up this time around are the Hockey Shot Contest and the 5 on 5 Basketball Contest with a faculty member representing the fifth person on each team. Another interesting twist to this year's show will be the awarding of a new Clash of the Classes champion. The Class of 2001 brought the trophy home an unprecedented three years in a row.
"We're looking forward to building on last year's success, and adding a few new wrinkles to the excitement," stated junior Mike O'Connor, a member of the Sport Facility class and co-captain of the men's basketball team. "It's a great opportunity to bring the entire school together under one roof."
As is the case every year, the student body will have the chance to meet the members of the winter sports programs. These include menÕs and women's basketball, ice hockey, swimming, wrestling, bowling and martial arts. The evening will cap off with a men's basketball versus women's basketball three point shooting competition and a men's slam-dunk exhibition.
JUNIOR JAMIE CARNEY AND FRESHMAN DAN SMITH SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 30, 2001) — Cross country standouts Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA — Nauset Regional High School) and Dan Smith (Enfield, CT — Enfield High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 30) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Carney, a junior co-captain, finished sixth among 59 runners at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Cross Country Championship on October 27 in 21 minutes, 56 seconds over the 3.1 mile course. With Carney helping to lead the way, the Golden Bears placed second in the 10-team field. Carney, a biology major, has been the squad's top runner in five of six meets this fall.
Smith, a freshman, finished fourth among 46 runners at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Men's Cross Country Championship on October 27 with a time of 28 minutes, 53 seconds over the five mile course. His efforts helped the Golden Bears to a second place showing among seven schools. A computer science major, Smith has been the Golden Bears' top runner in all six meets this season.
Western New England College's men's and women's cross country teams will participate in the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship November 10 in Westfield.
In other news, Western New England College junior forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) was honored Monday (Oct. 29) for the third time this season as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week. She compiled nine points (4 goals, 1 assist) in three GNAC Tournament contests and was selected the MVP of the GNAC Tournament championship match. Burke had the first goal in a 2-1 win over Johnson & Wales University in the championship final that advanced to the Golden Bears to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second time in three years. She leads the GNAC in scoring with 55 points (23 goals, 9 assists).
Western New England College freshman goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) was honored Monday (Oct. 29) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week for the second time this fall. She allowed only one goal with 10 saves in three matches as WNEC captured the GNAC Tournament title to advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second time in three years. Vital is the top-ranked goalie in the GNAC with a 0.69 goals-against-average and five shutouts in 17 matches (14 starts).
Western New England College freshman back Pat Danby (Cheshire, CT) was honored Monday (Oct. 29) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week. Danby's first collegiate goal was the game-winner in a 3-0 victory over Johnson & Wales University in a quarterfinal match of the GNAC Tournament.
WNEC WINS GNAC TOURNAMENT TITLE WITH 2-1 WIN OVER TOP-SEEDED JOHNSON & WALES
Golden Bears advance to NCAA Division III Tournament for second time in three years
WARWICK, R.I. (Oct. 27, 2001) — Junior midfielder Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) scored the game-winning goal in the 59th minute as second-seeded Western New England College upset top-seeded Johnson & Wales University in the championship match of the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament played Saturday at the Community College of Rhode Island.
The Golden Bears (14-7-1) will now advance to the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in three years. Pairings will be posted Monday and first round competition will begin on Wednesday, October 31, at campus sites.
Junior forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) gave WNEC a 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal in the 18th minute. It was the 23rd goal of the season for Burke who was named the championship game MVP.
Bailey then hit the back of the net with an assist from senior midfielder Kristen Ogulewicz (Springfield, MA Š Cathedral High School) to make the score 2-0 with 31 minutes remaining in the match.
Johnson & Wales, the defending GNAC Tournament champion, cut the margin to one when Lucia Sanchez scored on a penalty kick two minutes later following a hand ball in the box.
"We controlled play for most of the game and our defense played well," said WNEC coach Ron Dias. "WeÕre looking forward to playing in the NCAA Tournament wherever we go."
Dias also noted the fine play of freshman defender Amy Camerota (Westfield, MA) who marked the Wildcats' leading scorer Patrice Merendina holding her scoreless.
WNEC freshman goalie Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) made three saves.
Johnson & Wales (13-8) defeated WNEC by a 3-2 margin in last year's GNAC Tournament championship match and by the same score 10 days ago in Providence, Rhode Island.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MENÕS GOLF TEAM FINISHES 15TH AMONG 46 TEAMS AT NEIGA TOURNAMENT
Coach Bill Downes receives McCullough Award for contributions to golf
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 25, 2001) — Western New England College finished 15th among 46 teams at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Men's Tournament October 23 at the Captain's Golf Course in Brewster, Massachusetts.
WNEC also placed fourth among the 23 Division III schools participating in the two-day event.
Junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) led the Golden Bears by tying for 39th place in the 228-player field with a 156 (80-76). He earned All-New England Division III recognition for the second straight year after placing fifth among 115 Division III players.
Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) tied for 58th with a 159 (77-82) while junior Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY) and sophomore Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) each tied for 84th with scores of 162 (both had rounds of 80 and 82). Senior captain Ryan Bowey (Wolcott, CT) tied for 93rd with a 163 (80-83).
Veteran Western New England College coach Bill Downes received the "Gordon McCullough Award" for his outstanding dedication to college golf and for his contributions to his players and fellow coaches.
The University of Rhode Island won the NEIGA Tournament with a score of 584. Hartford (591) was second with Central Connecticut (599), UConn (604), and Brown (606) rounding out the top five. Hartford's Dean Carrigan was the medallist with a 140 (71-69) after defeating Mike Carbone (67-73) of URI in a playoff.
SENIOR KATE FARRY AND FRESHMAN KYLE LEZETTE SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 23, 2001) — Senior soccer captain Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA — Taconic High School) and freshman football player Kyle Lezette (Dumont, NJ — Dumont High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 23) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Farry, a defender, scored her first goal of the season in a 6-0 win over visiting Saint Joseph College (Conn.) on October 20. A four-year performer and three-year starter for the Golden Bears, Farry is a psychology major. WNEC (11-7-1) hosts Rivier College in a quarterfinal game of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament on Tuesday (Oct. 23).
Lezette made his first start at quarterback a memorable one by rushing for 140 yards on 13 carries (10.8 avg.) and one touchdown (77 yards) in a 57-21 victory over visiting Framingham State College on October 20 that was the Golden Bears' first win of the season. He previously played defensive back and wide receiver this season. Lezette is a criminal justice major. WNEC (1-5) visits MIT on Saturday (Oct. 27).
In other news, Western New England College senior running back Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME — Lewiston High School) was honored Monday (Oct. 22) as the New England Football Conference (NEFC) and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Northeast Player-of-the-Week. Langley rushed for 255 yards on 25 carries and tied his school record with four touchdowns in a 57-21 win over Framingham State College last Saturday (Oct. 20). Langley, a computer information systems major, is second in the conference in rushing with 804 yards (134.0 yards per game) and first in all-purpose yards (195.8). He is the school's all-time leader in yards rushing (3,111) and touchdowns (37).
Western New England College senior midfielder and team captain Mike Clarke (Post Mills, VT — Thetford Academy) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Soccer Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Oct. 22). Clarke, an electrical engineering major, scored game-winning goals against Union College (4-1) on October 17 and Emerson College (2-1 in double overtime) on October 20. Both goals were the first two of the season for Clarke.
Western New England College senior forward Kristen Ogulewicz (Springfield, MA — Cathedral High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Oct. 22). Ogulewicz, a business major, scored two goals against Johnson & Wales University on October 17 and added a goal and assist against Saint Joseph College (Connecticut) on October 20.
Western New England College Sports Notebook (Oct. 22, 2001)
CROSS COUNTRY — Western New England College will host the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Cross Country Championships Saturday (Oct. 27) at Suprenant Field. The men's race begins at 11:45 a.m. followed by the women's meet at 12:45 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY — Western New England College (8-9) will host Elms College (2-13) in the opening round of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 23) at Suprenant Field.
MEN'S SOCCER — First place in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference will be at stake when Western New England College (13-5) hosts undefeated Norwich University (16-0) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 24) at Suprenant Field. Both teams are 7-0 in the conference entering the final game of the regular season.
WOMEN'S SOCCER — Western New England College will host Rivier College at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 23) in a quarterfinal game of the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament at Suprenant Field. The Golden Bears, who are seeded second for the second straight year, compiled an 11-7-1 record this fall, including a 9-1 mark in the conference.
WOMEN'S SWIMMING — Western New England College opens its 2001-02 season at 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 27) at the Saint Joseph College Invitational in West Hartford, Connecticut.
SENIOR JEN MIKULEC AND JUNIOR ERIK TIMMONS NAMED THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 16, 2001) — Senior field hockey captain Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT — Farmington High School) and junior golf standout Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY — Somers High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 16) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Mikulec, a goalie, recorded 36 saves in a 2-1 double overtime loss at Worcester State College on October 10 and made five stops in a 1-0 shutout win over Elms College on October 13. She also was named the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Co-Player-of-the-Week. A marketing communications and advertising major, Mikulec has a 90.4 save percentage and 1.39 goals-against-average in 15 games.
Timmons, a criminal justice major, placed second among 67 players with a score of two-over par 74 as Western New England College captured its own invitational tournament for the first time on October 11 at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield.
In Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) news, Western New England College junior forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA — Westfield High School) was honored Monday (Oct. 15) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Co-Player-of-the-Week. Burke scored five goals with three assists for a 13-point performance in a 10-0 win at Daniel Webster College on October 13. Burke leads the GNAC in scoring with 41 points (17 goals, 7 assists).
Western New England College's men's soccer team (11-5) is tied for first place in the GNAC with Norwich University (14-0) at 6-0. Freshman forward Jose Molina (Stamford, CT — West Hill High School) is third in the conference in scoring with 25 points (9 goals, 7 assists) while freshman goalkeeper Jay Martyn (Poughkeepsie, NY — Arlington High School) is third in goals-against-average (1.02).
Western New England College's women's soccer team (10-6-1) is tied for first place in the GNAC with Johnson & Wales (9-6) at 8-0. Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) leads the conference in goals-against-average (0.87).
SENIOR ELENA da SILVA AND JUNIOR KEVIN BENNISON SELECTED THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 9, 2001) — Senior field hockey captain Elena da Silva (Pawling, NY — Pawling High School) and junior golf standout Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY — Cobleskill-Richmondville High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 9) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
da Silva scored her first two goals of the season in a 3-1 win over Regis College on October 6 as the Golden Bears evened their record at 6-6. She is computer engineering major at Western New England College.
Bennison tied for 25th among 85 players with a score of 156 (81-75) to help Western New England College place seventh among 17 teams at the inaugural Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Tournament October 6-7 in Middlebury, Vermont. He is a sport management major at WNEC.
In other news,
Western New England College sophomore Elizabeth Whitaker (Queensbury, NY — Glens Falls High School) was honored Tuesday (Oct. 9) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Tennis Player-of-the-Week. Whitaker, a business major, won her No. 3 singles match against Springfield College to improve her record to 6-1 in her rookie season. Western New England College has a 7-1 record.
Western New England College freshman forward Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT — Glastonbury High School) was selected Tuesday (Oct. 9) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week. She scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Simmons College that kept the Golden Bears (9-4) unbeaten in the conference (7-0). Loper, an exploratory major, also scored the game-winner in overtime against Norwich University (1-0) on September 29.
Western New England College freshman Liz Gurekovich (New Britain, CT Ń New Britain High School) was named Tuesday (Oct. 9) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Rookie-of-the-Week. Gurekovich, a 6-1 middle blocker, had a .418 hitting percentage with 18 kills and nine blocks in a 3-1 win at Westfield State College on October. 4. She is a history major at Western New England College. WNEC has an 11-7 record (7-0 in the conference) and a seven-match winning streak.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEN'S GOLF TEAM FINISHES SEVENTH ECAC DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College finished seventh among 17 teams at the inaugural Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Men's Golf Tournament October 6-7 at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course in Middlebury, Vermont.
Skidmore won the tournament with a score of 608 followed by Rochester (613), Babson (616), and Middlebury (620). St. Lawrence and Salem State tied for fifth (621) followed by Western New England (624).
Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) led the Golden Bears by tying for seventh among 85 players with a score of 151 (73-78).
Also placing in the upper half of the field were junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) who tied for 25th at 156 (81-75), and senior captain Ryan Bowey (Wolcott, CT) who tied for 42nd at 160 (80-80).
Coach Bill Downes' team will serve as the host school for the WNEC Invitational Thursday, Oct. 11, at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield.
JILL LUBY AND SCOTT THORNTON SELECTED THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Thornton and Mandee Signor also gain GNAC honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 2, 2001) — Senior volleyball captain Jill Luby (Newark Valley, NY — Owego Free Academy) and freshman soccer player Scott Thornton (Bedford, NH — Manchester West High School) were honored Tuesday (Oct. 2) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Luby, an outside hitter, compiled 35 kills and 15 aces in victories over Mount Ida College on September 25, and Suffolk University and St. Joseph College (Conn.) on September 29. She leads the Golden Bears in digs (4.7 per game average) and is tied for first in hitting percentage (.358). Luby is a sport management major. WNEC (9-7) visits Westfield State College at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 4).
Thornton, a center midfielder, scored his first collegiate goal in a 3-1 win over Nichols College on September 27 and netted the game-winning score in the 73rd minute in a 1-0 win over Rivier College (N.H.) on September 29. An electrical engineering major, Thornton also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player-of-the-Week. WNEC (7-4) hosts Albertus Magnus College at 4 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 3).
In other news, Western New England College freshman setter Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT — East Haven High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Rookie-of-the-Week on Tuesday (Oct. 2). Signor, a sport management major, compiled 102 assists in three victories last week, including 47 against Saint Joseph College (Conn.). WNEC (9-7) visits Westfield State College at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 4).
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND MEN'S GOLF TEAM QUALIFIES FOR INAUGURAL ECAC DIVISION III TOURNAMENT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 27, 2001) — Western New England College's men's golf team is off to a fast start this fall with four top 10 performances against strong competition.
WNEC placed second among 13 teams at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Qualifying Tournament on September 26 at the Holden Hills Country Club to advance to the inaugural ECAC Division III Tournament October 6-7 at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course in Middlebury, Vermont.
Babson won the tournament with 311 points followed by Western New England at 320, UMass-Dartmouth at 327, and Salem State College at 329.
Earlier this month, Coach Bill Downes' team finished seventh among 21 schools at the Williams Invitational September 23 with a season low score of 611 (306-305), fourth among 11 schools at the Skidmore (N.Y.) Fall Classic Tournament September 19 with a score of 320, and eighth among 21 squads at the Duke Nelson Tournament September 16 in Middlebury, Vermont with a 634 (324-310).
Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) has been the Golden Bears' top player in the last two events. He tied for fifth among 63 players with a 78 at the ECAC Qualifier and was seventh among 105 players at the Williams Invitational with a 147 (73-74).
Junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) led the team the first two weeks after tying for 14th among 105 players at the Duke Nelson Tournament with a 154, and finishing third among 59 players at the Skidmore Invitational with a 76.
Sophomore Andy Dastoli (Holyoke, MA) tied for 15th at the Skidmore Invitational with a 79 and tied for 15th at the ECAC Qualifier with an 81.
KRISTEN OGULEWICZ AND PAUL WINKLER SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Molly Burke, Jay Martyn, and Dan Smith gain GNAC honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 25, 2001) — Senior soccer standout Kristen Ogulewicz (Springfield, MA — Cathedral High School) and junior golf star Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 25) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Ogulewicz, a midfielder, set a school record with her 56th career assist in a victory over Southern Vermont College on September 15. The old mark was 55 set by former teammate Katie Brunelle from 1995-98. Ogulewicz also scored her first goal of the season in a win over Pine Manor College on September 22. She has seven points (1 goal, 5 assists) this fall. Western New England College (6-3) visits Williams College on Tuesday (Sept. 25).
Winkler placed fifth among 105 players at the Williams Invitational at the Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown on September 23 with a two-day total of 147 (73-74). Western New England College finished seventh among the 21 teams with a season low score of 311. WNEC will participate in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday (Sept. 26) at the Holden Hills Country Club.
In Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) news,
Western New England College junior forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA — St. Mary High School) was named the GNAC Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 24). Burke had a pair of back-to-back three-goal performances in wins over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on September 20 and Pine Manor College on September 22. She also moved into second place on the school's all-time goals scored list (61). Burke leads the conference in scoring with 24 points (11 goals, 2 assists). WNEC visits Williams College on Tuesday (Sept. 25).
Western New England College freshman goalkeeper Jay Martyn (Poughkeepsie, NY — Arlington High School) was selected the GNAC Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 24). He improved his record to 5-2 after allowing only one goal in a pair of victories, highlighted by a six-save effort in a 2-1 double overtime victory at city rival Springfield College on September 20. Martyn is fourth in the conference with a 1.23 goals-against-average in six matches. Western New England College (5-4) hosts Westfield State College on Tuesday (Sept. 25).
Western New England College freshman Dan Smith (Enfield, CT — Enfield High School) was voted the GNAC Men's Cross Country Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 24). He placed 27th among 140 runners at the Gordon College "Pop Crowell" Invitational on September 22 after covering the 5.05-mile course in 30 minutes, 26 seconds. Smith has been the Golden Bears top runner in all three meets this season. WNEC will host its own Invitational on October 6.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ANNUAL FALL SPORTS PEP RALLY AND BONFIRE SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College kicks off its Homecoming Weekend in style Friday night (Sept. 21) with the annual Pep Rally and Bonfire starting at 8 p.m. on the Tundra located off Wilbraham Road.
Sponsored by the WNEC Sport Management Association, the event serves to fire up students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests for the weekend's many festivities. In addition, the captains and coaches of the nine teams currently in season at the College will be introduced to the crowd. There will be live entertainment provided by the Golden Bears Pep Band and campus radio station WNEK in addition to a 50/50 raffle and football skills contest.
"The Bonfire is a great way to get all the fall sports teams together and get everyone psyched up for a great weekend," said senior men's tennis captain Mike Raymond, President of the Sport Management Association. "What Midnight Madness is to the winter, the Bonfire is to the fall."
Two of the Golden Bears' teams will be action on Saturday, September 22. The football squad hosts Salve Regina University at 1 p.m. at WNEC Field while the women's soccer team hosts Pine Manor College at 1 p.m. at Suprenant Field.
In case of inclement weather, the pep rally will be held in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.
FRESHMEN ADRIENNE GUAY AND JOSE MOLINA SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 18, 2001) — Freshman field hockey player Adrienne Guay (Enfield, NH — Mascoma Valley Regional High School) and freshman soccer player Jose Molina (Stamford, CT — Westhill High School) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 18) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Guay, a forward, scored her first three collegiate goals in an 8-0 victory at Anna Maria College last Saturday (Sept. 15) as the Golden Bears extended their winning streak to three games. WNEC (3-1) visits Smith College Tuesday (Sept. 18).
Molina, a forward, netted two goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-2 victory at Johnson & Wales University last Saturday (Sept. 15) to help the Golden Bears even their record at 3-3. He also netted a goal in a 2-1 loss against Western Connecticut State University on Thursday (Sept. 13). Molina is third in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) in scoring with 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists). He also was selected the GNAC Men's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week. WNEC plays at Worcester State College Tuesday (Sept. 18).
In other news, Western New England College freshman Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY — Sacred Heart Academy) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Tennis Player-of-the-Week. She posted a 4-0 record in singles and doubles competition last week in wins over Worcester State College and Saint Joseph College (Conn.). Troiano has an overall record of 5-1 for the Golden Bears (3-0) who play a match at Curry College on Tuesday (Sept. 18).
Men's soccer freshman goalkeeper Jay Martyn (Poughkeepsie, NY — Arlington High School) is third in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference with a 1.50 goals-against-average. Junior forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA — Saint Mary High School) is third among Great Northeast Athletic Conference women's soccer players in scoring with 11 points (5 goals, 1 assist). Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) is third with a 1.09 goals-against-average.
FOUR FORMER SPORTS STARS AND TWO COACHING LEGENDS TO BE INDUCTED INTO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME SEPT. 22
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2001) — Four former outstanding student-athletes and two coaching legends will be inducted into the third annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 22, during Homecoming Weekend.
Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and coach William (Bill) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.
The Class of 2001 features Steven M. Byrne '91, men's ice hockey; Kimberly A. Coia '95, women's basketball; Bruce F. Hambro '74, baseball, and Lori A. Mayhew '95, softball, along with the late Western New England College bowling coach Richard F. "Dick" Burns and present Western New England College wrestling coach Robert E. Skelton.
Byrne, a native of Agawam, holds the school record for points per game average (2.45) and ranks second with 125 career points (55 goals, 70 assists) in 51 games. A forward, he led the Golden Bears in scoring during the 1988-89 season with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) and again in 1989-90 with 62 points (25 goals, 37 assists). With Byrne leading the way, Western New England College participated in three ECAC post-season tournaments.
Coia, a native of Palmer, is the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,826 points from 1991-95. She holds several school records, including career free-throw percentage (80.3), three-pointers made (203), and scoring average in a season (23.2 in 1992-93). Western New England College posted a 70-23 record (75.3%) with Coia in the lineup (including a 20-1 mark in 1992-93) and participated in the program's only ECAC Division III Tournament in 1994.
Hambro, a native of Springfield, ranks among the top pitchers in Golden Bears history. He compiled a school record 1.43 career earned-run-average during the 1973 and 1974 seasons. He posted a 3-2 mark with a 1.80 ERA his junior season to help Western New England College capture the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) Championship. Hambro was the MVP of the NEIBA Tournament and a member of the All-Tournament team.
Mayhew, a native of Westfield, hit a school record .485 her senior season and finished her career with a .403 average, also a WNEC all-time best. A third baseman, she was a two-time Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III and Northeast Women's Athletic Conference (NEWAC) All-Star selection. Mayhew has served as the head softball coach at Western New England College the last five seasons.
Burns, a native of Boston, was associated with the WNEC bowling program for 40 years, including 33 as head coach of the varsity team. He was co-founder of the Tri-State Bowling Conference and his squads consistently ranked near the top of the conference. Both his men and women's teams captured conference titles during the 1996-97 school year. A 1950 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Burns served on a numerous national collegiate bowling committees and was the sectional coordinator for seven seasons. He also was a member of the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-America selection committee. Burns was a professor of science and education, and faculty member at Western New England College from 1958 until his retirement in 1995. He passed away on Feb. 9, 1999.
Skelton started the Western New England College wrestling program in 1975 and has served as head coach of the Golden Bears for the past 26 years. He ranks among the winningest NCAA Division III coaches in the nation with an all-time record of 389-199-7 for an impressive 66.0 winning percentage. A former president of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association, Skelton has coached 136 All-New England Division III performers, 27 New England champions, 13 NCAA Division III All-Americans, and 34 Academic All-Americans. A 1971 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Skelton was elected to the NCAA Division III National Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997. Among his top wrestlers was Rodney Smith who captured the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Skelton is a native of Brooklyn, New York.
SENIOR MARVIN LANGLEY AND JUNIOR MOLLY BURKE SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 11, 2001) — Football captain Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME) and soccer standout Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 11) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Langley became the school's all-time leading rusher when he gained 155 yards on 12 carries in a 20-13 loss at Westfield State College last Friday (Sept. 7). He now has rushed for 2,462 yards, breaking the old mark of 2,379 set by former teammate Andy Kaneris from 1994-98. Langley ran for two touchdowns (69, 84 yards) against the Owls and was named to the weekly NEFC honor roll squad. The 84-yard run was the second best in school history.
Burke scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against Hartwick College Saturday (Sept. 8) night in the Mayor's Cup Tournament in Oneonta, New York. She leads the Golden Bears (2-2) in scoring with seven points (3 goals, 1 assist) in four contests.
In other Western New England College news,
Junior outside hitter Brenda Post (Groton, CT) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 10). She compiled 18 kills in a win over Southern New Hampshire University and added 13 kills in a loss against Williams College at the WNEC Invitational.
Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Vital (Ludlow, MA) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Soccer Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 10). Vital has allowed only three goals in four matches (0.71 goals-against-average) with 27 saves and two shutouts. WNEC is 2-2 following an impressive 2-0 win over Hartwick College last Saturday night (Sept. 8) at the Mayor's Cup Tournament in Oneonta, New York.
Freshman women's volleyball setter Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT) was named to the WNEC Invitational All-Tournament Team after recording 45 assists in a win over Pine Manor College and 31 kills over Plymouth State College.
Three men's soccer players were named to the WNEC Golden Bear Classic All-Tournament Team. They are senior midfielder Mike Clarke (Post-Mills, VT), freshman forward Jose Molina (Stamford, CT), and freshman midfielder Scott Thornton (Bedford, NH). Western New England College finished second in the inaugural tournament after defeating Framingham State College (6-1) in an opening round contest and losing to NAIA powerhouse Notre Dame College, N.H. (0-2) in the championship match.
WRESTLING STAR CHRIS CHARTIER ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF EUROPE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 30, 2001) — Western New England College wrestling standout Chris Chartier (Deerfield, NH — Manchester Memorial High School) captured four of six matches this summer during an exhibition tour of Europe.
Chartier was a member of the NCAA Division III All-Star Team that spent two weeks traveling overseas. The highlight for Chartier was a 4-2 win over Greek Greco-Roman National Champion Iorgos Dionov in Athens, Greece.
Chartier, who competed in the 135-lb. weight class, also wrestled in Bulgaria and France.
A sophomore at Western New England College, Chartier posted a 16-6 record in his rookie season and placed third in the 125-lb. weight class at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Championship.
WNEC coach Bob Skelton served as an assistant coach during the trip. He started the program 13 years ago, and has served as head coach and team leader in recent years.
Next year Skelton and his NCAA Division II All-Star Team tentatively plan to visit Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE TO HOST FOUR GNAC CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2001-02
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 29, 2001) — Western New England College will host four Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships during the 2001-02 school year.
The announcement came Tuesday (Aug. 28) following the annual conference meeting on the WNEC campus.
Western New England College will host the 2001 GNAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on Saturday, October 27. The men's race will begin at noon followed by the women's meet at 1 p.m. Both events will be held on campus.
WNEC's Alumni Healthful Living Center will be the site of the 2002 GNAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships on Friday-Saturday, February 23-24. The men's and women's semifinal contests will be played on Friday followed by the championship games on Saturday. The GNAC Tournament champions receive automatic bids to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Western New England College's men's basketball team is the two-time GNAC Tournament champion. Last year the WNEC women's basketball squad advanced to the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament.
WNEC also will host the GNAC Basketball Championships for men and women in 2003.
"We are looking forward to having these championship events on our campus," said Western New England College athletics director Mike Theulen who also serves as the GNAC Commissioner. "It's a great opportunity for us to showcase our highly-regarded athletics program and excellent facilities."
SENIOR RUNNING BACK MARVIN LANGLEY NAMED TO PRE-SEASON ALL-AMERICA FOOTBALL TEAMS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 13, 2001) — Western New England College senior running back Marvin Langley (Lewiston, ME) has been named to both the 2001 d3football.com and Don Hansen's Weekly Football Gazette Pre-Season All-America Teams.
"Marvin is the hardest working player on our squad," said WNEC coach Gerry Martin. "He has improved every year because of his work ethic and dedication. We expect him to lead the Golden Bears on and off the field this season."
The 5'10", 180-lb. Langley was voted the 2000 New England Football Conference (NEFC) Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year after leading the conference in rushing (1,253 yards, 139.2 yards per game average), all-purpose yards (193.9 yards per game average), and scoring (114 points). He also was selected to both the ECAC Division III Northeast and New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Star Teams after establishing 12 school records.
Langley, a computer information systems major, tied for fifth nationally among Division III players in scoring average (12.7 points per game) and was seventh in all-purpose yards. He scored 19 of the team's 28 touchdowns (17 rushing, 1 receiving, 1 kickoff return) and also completed a pass for another score.
Entering the 2001 season, Langley is the school's third all-time leading runner with 2,307 yards. He needs only 73 yards to become the top rusher in school history.
Langley will serve as a team captain this fall with classmates, defensive back Lester Johnson (Springfield, MA — Central High School), wide receiver Jody Lemoi (Scituate, RI), and free safety Brian Luce (Anson, ME).
Western New England College opens its 32nd season at 7 p.m. Friday, September 7, at Westfield State College. Last year the Golden Bears posted a 4-5 record and finished sixth in the NEFC Boyd Division with a 2-4 mark
WNEC DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS KEN CERINO RECEIVES FOOTBALL AWARD
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 6, 2001) — Western New England College athletic communications director Ken Cerino of Enfield, Connecticut, received the Elmore "Scoop" Hudgins Lifetime Sports Information Directors Award at the All-American Football Foundation's New England Chapter Banquet of Champions on Saturday, August 4, in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Cerino, 49, is starting his 28th year as a college sports publicist and second at Western New England College. He previously was the SID at Springfield College for 14 years (1986-2000) and served in similar capacities at MIT (1979-86), Iowa State University (1977-79), and Siena College (1974-77).
During his career Cerino has covered over 200 football games, including 137 while at Springfield College.
Cerino was inducted in the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame in 1995. He also was the recipient of the CoSIDA Warren Berg Award and the ECAC Irving Marsh Award for excellence in sports information.
Cerino, a 1974 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, served on the CoSIDA Board of Directors for five years and was president of the ECAC Sports Information Directors Association during the 1982-83 school year.
Hudgins was a longtime sports publicist at Vanderbilt University and the Southeast Conference.
LAURA STURGIS AND JEN MIKULEC NAMED TO IWLCA ACADEMIC TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College student-athletes Laura Sturgis (Westborough, MA — Westborough High School) and Jen Mikulec (Farmington, CT — Farmington High School) have been named to the 2001 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Team.
Sturgis received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in management summa cum laude in May after compiling a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point-average. She was selected the Western New England College "Graduate-of-the-Year," and was named both the WNEC Female Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year and the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year.
Sturgis also was voted to the Verizon Academic All-America Team. Sturgis, who didn't play lacrosse until she arrived at college, was a three-year letter winner and the team's fourth leading scorer with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) this past season.
Mikulec, who will be a senior beginning in September, compiled a 3.48 grade-point-average in marketing communications/advertising. She played lacrosse for the first time this past spring and compiled an 8.74 goals-against-average in 14 games as the starting goalie. Mikulec also is the starting goalie on the WNEC field hockey team.
Last fall Mikulec placed third in the print category division of the Cleaner and Greener Environment advertising contest.
Western New England College's women's lacrosse team posted an 8-7 record under coach Aimee Klepacki and participated in the NEWLA Tournament.
JOHN
KLEPACKI NAMED MEN'S LACROSSE COACH
AT
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — John Klepacki enjoyed tremendous success as a college lacrosse player and assistant coach, now he is getting an opportunity to lead his own team.
Klepacki, a native of Southington, Connecticut, was named the head men's lacrosse coach at Western New England College on Tuesday (June 26).
The 27-year-old Klepacki served as an assistant coach at nationally ranked Springfield College the last two seasons. The Pride enjoyed the best season in school history this past spring with a 16-2 record, which included a road win over NCAA Division III Tournament champion Middlebury College. Springfield also captured its second straight Pilgrim League title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Prior to joining the Springfield staff, Klepacki was an assistant men's lacrosse coach at the State University of New York at Oneonta from 1997-99.
"John has outstanding credentials as a player and a coach, and he will be a tremendous asset to our staff," said Western New England College athletics director Mike Theulen.
Klepacki earned a Bachelor of Science degree in movement of sports studies at Springfield College in 1996 and a Master of Education degree from Springfield this past May. He was a four-year starter at defense for the Pride and team captain his senior year. Klepacki was a member of the SC team that won the NCAA Division II Championship title in 1994 while finishing second in 1995.
Klepacki also served as an assistant football coach at Springfield College last fall as the Pride set a school record with 11 wins against only two losses while winning the Freedom Football Conference and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Klepacki is a 1991 graduate of Southington High School where he was captain of the boys' lacrosse team, team MVP, and an All-State selection. He also was an All-Conference football performer.
Western New England posted a 5-9 record this past season and finished fourth in the Pilgrim League with a 5-3 mark in qualifying for the league playoffs.
Copyright
© 2000
Western New England College
All Rights Reserved