2006 Green and Gold Club Archives

The Green and Gold Club will honor an outstanding male and female athlete each month. In-season coaches nominate athletes based on their performance during that month, and final decisions are made by the director and assistant director of athletics.

2007 Green and Gold Club

December 2006

Women’s basketball player Jessika Coones was named for leading the Generals to an 8-5 record during the first half of the season. She is the team’s leading scorer averaging 11.5 points per game and is ranked in the top ten in Region III for rebounds (8.8 rebounds per game) and free throws percentage (71.5%).

The 5'8" senior forward from Richfield Springs has been one of Herkimer's most consistent players during the past two seasons. Coach John Campagna is very pleased with Jessika's performance and leadership. "J.J. comes ready to play every night. She is a tough competitor who consistently outworks her usually much bigger opponents," said Campagna.

Men’s basketball player Robby Marshall, Syracuse, was named to the Green and Gold Club for leading the Generals with 35 points and 22 points in an 83-76 win over Tompkins-Cortland Community College. He averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds in the month of December.

A freshman, Marshall was named Region III Athlete of the Week earlier this month. Coach Matt Lee said “Robby has a great attitude and unlimited potential.”

November 2006

Women’s basketball player Victoria Gingras, Barre, VT, was selected for leading the Generals to a 5-4 record during the month of November.

“Victoria worked her way into the starting lineup and is now one of the top defensive players in Region III,” said women’s basketball coach John Campagna. "Vicky raises our defensive intensity and is relied upon to guard the best opposing post players. She is an intelligent player with an outstanding attitude and work ethic.”

Gingras is a Computer Information Systems major at HCCC.

Men’s soccer player Miguel Martinez, White Plains, NY, was named to the Green and Gold Club for leading the Generals in the NJCAA national championship semi-final and final games. He scored the game winning goal in the national semi-final game against Potomac College (West Virginia) and assisted on Herkimer's only goal in the national championship game.

Martinez was named NSCAA and NJCAA First Team All-American (2005 and 2006) and Region III Player of the Year (2005 and 2006). He scored 21 goals and had 26 assists in his two years at Herkimer. "Miguel is one of the best offensive midfielders I have ever coached. He has a tremendous future ahead of him," said men’s soccer coach Pepe Aragon. The Generals came in second place in the nation and finished the season with an overall record of 20-2-1.

October 2006

Cross Country runner Sarah Lazarus, South New Berlin, was the female selection.

A senior physical education major, she was ranked second in the nation going into Nationals. At Nationals, held at Alfred State last weekend, she came in second place with a time of 22:01.47, only 31 seconds behind first place. She also was named First-Team All-American.

Coach Sharon Howell said, “Sarah is one of the hardest working athletes I have known. She is very committed to her running and is extremely focused.”

Men’s soccer goalkeeper Ryan Brooks-Newton, Selkirk, was the male selection.

A physical education major, Brooks-Newton did not have any goals scored against him in three Region III play-off games including a shutout in the Region III championship double overtime win against SUNY Cobleskill. The Generals went on to compete in the NJCAA National Final Four in which Brooks-Newton made two major saves in the semi-final to help the team advance to the title game.

The Generals came in second place in the nation and finished the season with an overall record of 20-2-1. "Ryan has come up huge for us this year. He is one of the reasons that we made it to the national championship game," said head men’s soccer coach Pepe Aragon.

September 2006

Men’s soccer player Joe Hunt was the male selection for September. With 20 goals and 13 assists, he has 53 points on the year making him the first ranked scorer in the nation. He was also recently named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Male Athlete of the Week.

Coach Pepe Aragon said, "Joe is a great goal scorer and an excellent student making him an ideal role-model for student-athletes.”

A senior from London, England, Hunt is a 2005 graduate of Goffs High School and is majoring in Physical Education at Herkimer. The Generals are currently ranked first in the nation according to the latest NJCAA Division III national poll.

Eileen Coyle was the female selection for September. With 29 goals and nine assists so far this season, she is currently the top scorer in the nation.

Coach Amy Brelinsky said, “Eileen continues to be a dominating force on the field. Her speed and finishing abilities make it very difficult for her opponents to guard her.”

Coyle also received this honor last year as a freshman and was selected 2005 Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year and Region III Player of the Year. Coyle is a 2005 graduate of Oneonta High School and a General Studies major at Herkimer.

HCCC’s Green and Gold Club honors an outstanding male and female athlete each month. For more information, contact Donald Dutcher, Director of Athletics, at 315-866-0300, ext. 8255.

April 2006

Damion Smikle, Ossining, NY, was the male selection for the month of April. Smikle broke the College’s 24-year record in the men's 200 meter dash with a time of 22.5 seconds. He also broke the school record for the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.7 seconds. Coach Sharon Howell said “Damion is a dedicated athlete and has worked very hard this season. ” A freshman Physical Education major at HCCC, Smikle was named All Conference for Track and Field.

Freshman pitcher Kayla Wallenhorst, Plattsburgh, was selected for her performance on the softball team. Wallenhorst pitched 17 games including 13 complete games, and she had 65 K's and only seven BB's. She pitched in wins against Region III rivals Mohawk Valley Community College and Hudson Valley Community College. Coach Amy Brelinksky said “Kayla is one of the best pitchers Herkimer softball has seen.” Wallenhorst is a Sports and Recreation Management major at Herkimer.

March 2006

Senior Brendan O’Connor (Brookline, MA) was selected for his outstanding performance on the baseball team. A shortstop and pitcher, O’Connor is a three hole hitter for the Generals, and has established himself as an ace on the mound. He has also played a flawless shortstop to this point with no errors yet this season. He is currently hitting .351 and leads the team in RBI's with 18. O’Connor is posting a 2.63 ERA with a record of 1-1 with one save.

Coach Jason Rathbun said, “Brendan has been one of the key players who has helped build our program. His consistent play has provided stability and reliability to our team.” Herkimer’s overall record is 18-5.

Senior Stephanie Berube (Elmont, NY) was selected for her success on the women’s lacrosse team. Coach Paul Wehrum said “Stephanie is one of the top female athletes at Herkimer, and her great speed and scoring ability are critical to the team’s success.” The 2006 team is currently undefeated with a 5-0 overall record. A two-year starter for Herkimer’s women’s lacrosse team, Berube scored the winning goals in all three sudden-death victories last season. She was also a two-year starter for the College’s nationally ranked soccer team.

Berube has accepted an athletic scholarship to Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA) where she will major in English. Wehrum said “Stephanie will be an instant impact player for Mercyhurst.” She is a 2004 graduate of Sewanhaka High School and the daughter of Stephen and Barbara Berube.

February 2006

Senior Christa McGough, a member of the indoor track and field team, placed ninth in the triple jump at the NJCAA national championship track meet at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. “One of the most versatile athletes, McGough is a hard worker and always gives 100 percent,” said track and field coach Sharon Howell. McGough is a graduate of Remsen High School.

Freshman Will Mercado was named for his outstanding performance on the men’s basketball team this season. Mercado averaged 7.4 points and 6.1 assists per game, and had a total of 52 steals for the season. Coach Matt Lee said “We are looking forward to having Will back as one of our team leaders next year.” Mercado is a graduate of Hollandale High School in Broward County, Florida.

January 2006

Senior Keynon Jackson was selected for his outstanding performance on the basketball court. Jackson is currently averaging 17 points and seven rebounds per game for the Generals. A graduate of Art and Design High School in Harlem, he is a General Studies major at Herkimer. Coach Matt Lee said "Keynon’s athleticism and versatility make him instrumental in leading our team on the court."

Sarah King, a freshman on the women’s basketball team, took the honor for her 25 steals during seven games in January. King is averaging 7.3 points per game and is shooting 83.3 percent from the foul line. A graduate of Averill Park High School, King is a physical education major at Herkimer.