Athletic Department Honors 2015

Patchogue, N.Y. - On April 27 the Golden Eagles hosted their annual awards dinner, where a plethora of St. Joseph’s student-athletes received individual honors for their athletic performance and for their excellence in the classroom.  The athletes listed below were selected for awards in the following categories: the Sister Virginia Therese Callahan Academic Award, the Alumni Leadership Award, the MVP Award, the Golden Eagle Award, and the Team Scholar-Athlete Award.

The Sister Virginia Therese Callahan Academic Award is presented to a male and female upperclassman with the highest cumulative GPA in the department amongst varsity teams.  This year’s recipients were senior Lauren Waka from the women’s cross country team and junior Shane Acosta from the men’s cross country team.

The Alumni Leadership Award is presented to a male and female senior about to enter the SJC Alumni Association.  Selection is based on being a student that has stood out from the crowd as a “leader among leaders” and considers the entire athletic career at St. Joseph’s College.  Seniors Julianne Tierney of the women’s volleyball and softball teams and Brian Wersan of the men’s cross country team were acknowledged for their leadership over their tenure at SJC during this year’s awards ceremony. 

The Team Scholar-Athlete Award utilizes the same criteria and parameters of the Callahan Award. This award is presented to an upperclassman honoree per team with the highest cumulative GPA. They are listed below.

The MVP award is granted to one athlete on each athletic team who contributed to the team’s overall success and presented their very best throughout the entire season.  This athlete is recognized for their outstanding persistence and dedication to the team. 

The Golden Eagle award is presented to an individual who may not show up in the stat sheet but gives their heart and soul to the team effort.  They may be a team leader, outstanding performer, have exceeded their expected duties for the team on and off the field, or have overcome significant obstacles on their way to success.

Baseball

MVP Award: Mike Aloisio
Golden Eagle Award: Anthony Adreani
Scholar-Athlete Award: Matthew Mills

Men’s Basketball

MVP Award: Sean McCarthy
Golden Eagle Award: Andy Laurent
Scholar-Athlete Award: Nick Gallina

Women’s Basketball

MVP Award: Andrea Iavarone
Golden Eagle Award: Katie McGarrell
Scholar-Athlete Award: Katie McGarrell

Men’s Cross Country

MVP Award: Brian Wersan
Golden Eagle Award: Nick Diaz
Scholar-Athlete Award: Shane Acosta

Women’s Cross Country

MVP Award: AnnMarie Zigrosser
Golden Eagle Award: Samantha Maurice
Scholar-Athlete Award: Lauren Waka

Dance Team

MVP Award: Brooke Ortiz
Golden Eagle Award: Lauren Vegessi
Scholar-Athlete Award: Taylor Block

Equestrian

MVP Award: Leah Uliano
Golden Eagle Award: Melissa Mausser
Scholar-Athlete Award: Maclain Palumbo

Golf

MVP Award: Robert Bray
Golden Eagle Award: John Melandro
Scholar-Athlete Award: Christian Bleck

Men’s Indoor Track & Field

MVP Award: Mario Mayen
Golden Eagle Award: Erik Haughn
Scholar-Athlete Award: Shane Acosta

Men’s Oudoor Track & Field

MVP Award: Mario Mayen
Golden Eagle Award: Kevin Sanders
Scholar-Athlete Award: Shane Acosta

Women’s Indoor Track & Field

MVP Award: AnnMarie Zigrosser
Golden Eagle Award: Ashley Arquer
Scholar-Athlete Award: AnnMarie Zigrosser

Women’s Outdoor Track & Field

MVP Award: AnnMarie Zigrosser
Golden Eagle Award: Ashley Arguer
Scholar-Athlete Award: AnnMarie Zigrosser

Softball

MVP Award: Julianne Tierney
Golden Eagle Award: Mallory McClafferty
Scholar-Athlete Award: Julianne Tierney 

Men’s Soccer

MVP Award: Chris Hall
Golden Eagle Award: Eric Klein
Scholar-Athlete Award: Dylan Ierardi

Women’s Soccer

MVP Award: Joann Murino
Golden Eagle Award: Katie McGarrell
Scholar-Athlete Award: Joann Murino

Women’s Swimming

MVP Award: Jenna Birkmire
Golden Eagle Award: Melissa Nocco
Scholar-Athlete Award: Melissa Nocco

Men’s Tennis

MVP Award: Matt Reed
Golden Eagle Award: Stephen Fox
Scholar-Athlete Award: Alex Fisher

Women’s Tennis

MVP Award: Erika Hesselbirg
Golden Eagle Award: Rita Wehrli
Scholar-Athlete Award: Kelley McGrath

Women’s Volleyball

MVP Award: Julianne Tierney
Golden Eagle Award: Manuela Palacio
Scholar-Athlete Award: Julianne Tierney

Women's Lacrosse

MVP Award: Heather Ferchland
Golden Eagle Award: Nicole Lyman
Scholar-Athlete Award: Caitlynn Webber