HCCC Student-Athletes Receive Awards

May 29, 2009

Herkimer County Community College recognized several student-athletes at its annual athletic awards banquet earlier this month.

Men’s soccer player Lee Martins (Bridgeport, CT), a senior, was named Male Athlete of the Year. Martins was named National Junior College Player of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). He was also named Region III Player of the Year and selected as a first team All-American. He recorded 24 goals and had 16 assists for 64 points which placed him second in the nation for points.

Female track and field runner Chantal Salamone (Little Falls, NY) was named Female Athlete of the Year. Salamone, a senior, was a member of the 2008 women’s track and field national championship team. She was also a national champion in the 100 meter hurdles, and named an All-American in 2008 and 2009.

Andrew Jamieson (Hagersville, Ontario) was awarded the Pop Walsh Award, an annual award given to the male student-athlete who displays the highest level of sportsmanship, dedication and commitment to his team and the athletic program. Jamieson was a freshman lacrosse player and has been named a captain for the 2010 season.

Christina Digristina (Utica) received the Nancy Fabozzi Award, given to the female student-athlete who displays the highest level of sportsmanship, dedication and commitment to her team and the College’s athletic program. A senior, Digristina was a two-sport athlete competing in soccer and lacrosse.

The Male Scholar Athlete Award was earned by senior Nick Bloom (Chittenango). Senior swimmer Kelcy Newman (Newport, NY) received the Female Scholar Athlete Award. These awards are given to the athlete with the highest GPA and a minimum of 45 credit hours earned.

Other athletic awards included:

Baseball
Most Valuable Player: Kris Barone, Gloversville
Hank Testa Coach’s Award: Nick Bloom, Chittenango

Basketball (Men’s)
Most Valuable Player: Akeem Ellis, Brooklyn
Most Improved Player: Reggie German, New Hartford

Basketball (Women’s)
Coach’s Award: Hannah Gates, LaFayette
Most Improved Award: Samantha Fox, Hartwick

Bowling (Men’s)
Most Valuable Player: Mike Catrombone, Sauquoit
Most Improved Player: Zachery Lansing, Cicero

Bowling (Women’s)
Most Valuable Player: Jen Logan, Fredonia
Most Improved Player: Tabatha Williams, Endwell

Cross Country (Men’s)
Coach’s Award: Nick DeLango, Dover Plains
Most Valuable Player: Jake Raner, Mexico

Cross Country (Women’s)
Coach’s Award: Tammy Carney, Herkimer
Most Valuable Player: Katie Ozog, Ilion

Lacrosse (Men’s)
Butch Marino Award: Joseph Finn, Huntington Station
Unsung Hero Award: Dan Solazzo, Yorktown Heights
Paul Wehrum Award: Tom Szevin, Garrison

Lacrosse (Women’s)
Most Valuable Players: Lindy Seymour, Akwesasne & Lauren Pescetti, Saratoga Springs
Most Improved Player: Christina Digristina, Utica

Soccer (Men’s)
Perry Nizzi Award: Harry Appiah, Pawtucket, RI
Most Improved Player: Joe Bono, Frankfort

Soccer (Women’s)
Coach’s Award: Samantha Reddington, Cold Brook
Coach’s Award: Courtney Roberts, West Winfield

Softball
Coach’s Award: Nikki Lippert, Phoenix
Coach’s Award: Katelyn Van Eron, Lake Grove

Swimming (Men’s)
Most Improved Player: Scott Ledwith, Geneseo

Swimming (Women’s)
Most Valuable Player: Kelcy Newman, Newport
Most Improved Players: Bayla Akulin, Oneonta & Nina Stoecke, Newport

Volleyball
Most Valuable Player: Megan Folli, Endicott
Coach’s Award: Tiffany Conroy, Wampsville

“These awards give us an opportunity to honor outstanding student-athletes who put a great deal of time and effort into their academic studies and athletic endeavors. We are very fortunate to have such a gifted bunch of student-athletes here at Herkimer County Community College, and I couldn’t be happier with the way they handle themselves on and off the field,” said Director of Athletics Donald Dutcher.