Hartwick College

Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y., and Lily Vanuga of Springville, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Doubles Team of the Week honor on Sept. 15, 2025. The duo of Vanuga and Lantzy have been flawless to start the season, pushing their win streak to five matches with two victories this week. Vanuga and Lantzy picked up a 6-0 win at No.1 over Delhi and ended with a 6-1 win over Brockport at the No. 2 position in an E8 contest.

Mikayla Piersa '28 of Huntington, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Co-Defensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 15, 2025. Piersa stood tall in between the posts against defending Empire 8 Champion SUNY Geneseo in the Empire 8 opener, totaling seven saves after facing an array of shots to earn the draw and help the Hawks move to five consecutive games without a loss. It is Piersa's second straight E8 weekly honor.

Devin Chandler '27 of Wylie, Texas, earned the Empire 8 Men's Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 2, 2025. Chandler tied an Empire 8 single-game record with three assists in a 3-1 victory over SUNY Delhi. He picked up two assists off pinpointed throw ins into the box. Chandler then capped off his marksmanship with an assist from a corner kick on goal with two minutes left.

Mikayla Piersa '28 of Huntington, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 8, 2025. Piersa was tremendous in between the posts for the Hawks, earning two clean sheets, only allowing one goal while picking up 16 saves in three games. Piersa posted 10 saves in the Mayor's Cup win over RPI, en route to Hartwick becoming the 2025 Mayor's Cup Champions. Piersa also made five saves in a draw versus Skidmore and posted a shutout against SUNY Morrisville.

Samantha Lantzy '28 of Valatie, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week honor on Sept. 2, 2025. Lantzy made her debut at the No.1 singles spot after a dominant debut season in 2024, helping lift the Hawks to a 7-0 sweep over their cross-city rival, SUNY Oneonta. Lantzy made quick work of the Red Dragons' top player, defeating her in straight sets of 6-2, 6-2. She also partnered with Lily Vanuga to record a 6-1 win at second doubles.

Maddi Morrison '26 of Burnt Hills, N.Y., and Maggie Van Valkenburgh '26 of Highland, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Doubles Team of the Week honor on Sept. 8, 2025. The duo of Morrison and Van Valkenburgh were flawless in two wins, including a 6-1 upending of Geneseo's duo at No. 3 doubles on Saturday to help secure the key doubles point and win in the conference opener. The duo would collect a 6-2 win over Cortland at the No. 3 spot on Friday.

Matteo Broun '29 of Fishkill, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Football Special Teams Player of the Week honor on Sept. 8, 2025. Broun was exceptional in his collegiate debut, going 8-8 on point-after attempts in the season-opening 56-7 win over Maine Maritime.

The Empire 8 announced its 2025 Men's Outdoor Track and Field All-Conference selections on June 3, with first-year Cody Bazemore '28 of Bel Air, Md., earning Third Team honors in the long jump for the Hartwick Hawks. Selections were based on performances at the Empire 8 Championship meet held May 2-3 at SUNY Brockport. In his championship debut, Bazemore jumped 6.71 meters, securing third place on the podium. Earlier in the year, Bazemore set two school records during the indoor season, clocking 7.14 seconds in the 60-meter dash and 23.18 seconds in the 200 meters. In addition to his All-Conference recognition, Bazemore was also named Hartwick's representative on the Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year Team for exemplifying the qualities of outstanding sportsmanship.

College Sports Communicators announced the Field Hockey At-Large Academic All-District Teams on June 17 and three Hartwick Hawks received recognition. The honorees include Ashley Tricarico '24 of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., Hope Angioletti '27 of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., and Danielle Hand '27 of Queensbury, N.Y. Senior midfielder Ashley Tricarico earned team Most Valuable Player honors and was named to the Empire 8 First Team All-Conference. Tricarico also stood out academically, earning spots on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III National Academic Squad and the Empire 8 Spring 2024 President's List. Sophomore forward Hope Angioletti was also selected to the Empire 8 First Team All-Conference and earned a place on both the NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad and the Empire 8 Spring 2024 President's List. Sophomore forward Danielle Hand received Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference honors and was named to the NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad for excellence in the classroom. To qualify for All-District consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, hold at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and participate in 90% of the team's games played.

College Sports Communicators announced the Women's Lacrosse At-Large Academic All-District Teams on June 17 and three Hartwick Hawks received recognition. The honorees include Kristen Vaccarelli '25 of Dix Hills, N.Y., Brianna Liebro '25 of Castleton, N.Y., and Kara Anderson '25 of Collingwood, Ontario. Senior captain Kristen Vaccarelli shattered the Empire 8 career goal record and earned her fourth consecutive Empire 8 First Team All-Conference honor. She also received her third IWLCA Second Team All-Region selection. Off the field, Vaccarelli was named to the Empire 8 Spring 2024 President's List in recognition of her academic achievement. Senior defender Brianna Liebro forced 63 turnovers with an average of 3.94 per game, ranking No. 1 in the Empire 8 and No. 2 in NCAA Division III for caused turnovers per game. She was named to the Empire 8 First Team All-Conference and received the team's Most Valuable Player Award. Liebro also earned recognition for her academic excellence. Senior attacker Kara Anderson capped off a strong season with Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference honors and was recognized for her academic performance by the College. To qualify for All-District consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, hold at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and participate in 90% of the team's games played.

College Sports Communicators announced the Men's Lacrosse At-Large Academic All-District Teams on June 17 and three Hartwick Hawks received recognition. The honorees include Liam Downey '25 of Blue Point, N.Y., Garrett Frost '25 of Wading River, N.Y., and Joseph Pagano '25 of Oceanside, N.Y. Senior defender Liam Downey led the Empire 8 with an average of 2.17 caused turnovers per game and recorded both his first collegiate goal and assist. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player and earned a spot on the Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team. Downey also excelled academically, earning Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List honors. Senior midfielder Garrett Frost ranked among the top 15 in the Empire 8 in several offensive statistical categories, securing a place on the Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team. He was also named to the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List and received College Sports Communicators (CSC) At-Large Academic All-District honors for the second consecutive year. Senior defender Joseph Pagano posted a career-high 32 ground balls and caused a career-best 20 turnovers, ranking ninth in the Empire 8 with an average of 1.33 caused turnovers per game. His efforts earned him a spot on the Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team. Off the field, Pagano was also named to the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List. To qualify for All-District consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, hold at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and participate in 90% of the team's games played.

Jessica Betts '25 of South Glens Falls, N.Y., and Mike Gitz '27 of Commack, N.Y., each received the M. Beal Banks Award during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. The award is presented to scholar-athletes who pursue excellence in their sport to the best of their ability and inspire others through their dedication and commitment.

Kristen Vaccarelli '25 of Dix Hills, N.Y., received the Anna M. Meyer Award Female Athlete of the Year during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the women's lacrosse team, Vaccarelli was honored as the top female athlete in the Hartwick Athletic Department, recognized for strong character and sportsmanship, and positive impact on the team, the College and the wider community.

Dante Gesamondo of Lynnfield, Mass., received the Roy Chipman Memorial Award Male Athlete of the Year during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the men's soccer team, Gesamondo was honored as the top male athlete in the Hartwick Athletic Department, recognized for his strong character and sportsmanship, and positive impact on his team, the College and the wider community.

Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y., received the Brunhilde I. Klinger Memorial Award for Outstanding Female Freshman Athlete during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the women's tennis team, Lantzy was recognized as the most outstanding first-year student-athlete on a women's team whose character and sportsmanship have had a positive contribution within the team, the College, and the wider community.

Hunter Bulich '28 of Catskill, N.Y., received the Tim O'Brien Memorial Award for Outstanding Male Freshman Athlete during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the men's soccer team, Bulich was recognized as the most outstanding first-year student-athlete on a men's team whose character and sportsmanship have had a positive contribution within the team, the College, and the wider community.

Staecia Silofau '25 of Kapolei, Hawaii, received the Margaret Lunn Memorial Award during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the women's volleyball team, Silofau was recognized as the senior scholar-athlete on a women's team who best exemplifies athletic ability, leadership and sportsmanship.

Shelby Swartz '26 of Candor, N.Y., received the Leroy "Sonny" House, Jr. Memorial Award during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the women's volleyball team, Swartz was honored for her strong connection to the Athletic Program, exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to Hartwick Athletics, and meaningful service to the broader Hartwick community beyond athletics.

Sebastian Knowles '25 of Plano, Texas, received the Harry Mosher Memorial Award during the Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 7. A member of the men's swimming and diving team, Knowles was honored as the senior scholar-athlete on a men's team who best exemplifies courage, desire, humility, and unselfish devotion to his team.

Brianna Blake of Mechanicville, N.Y., was recognized as Hartwick College's representative for the Empire 8 Softball Sportswoman of the Year Award on May 12. One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2025 Softball Sportswoman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.

The Empire 8 announced its Men's Lacrosse All-Conference honors on May 5, with four Hawks landing on the list. Junior attacker Colin August of Garrison, N.Y., senior defender Liam Downey of Blue Point, N.Y., and senior midfielder Garrett Frost of Wading River, N.Y., all received Second Team All-Conference honors. August secured his second consecutive All-Conference Second Team selection after leading the Hawks with 41 goals and 45 points. Downey was a threat on the defensive end, leading the team with 92 ground balls and 26 caused turnovers. This is Downey's first All-Conference honor. Frost snagged his second consecutive All-Conference Second Team selection, ranking second on the team with 28 goals and 38 points. To cap off the All-Conference selections, senior defender Joseph Pagano of Oceanside, N.Y., collected his first All-Conference honor with a selection to the Third Team. In addition to the All-Conference selections, the Empire 8 announced Ben Morenus of Homer, N.Y., as Hartwick's representative for the Men's Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year team, an honor awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship.

Hartwick College's Gianna Leggieri of Ballston Lake, N.Y., and Lily Vanuga of Springville, N.Y., were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, recognized for their strong performances both on the tennis court and in the classroom. To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must post at least a 3.5 GPA and appear in at least 70 percent of their team's matches. Leggieri, the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year, had a standout sophomore season, going a perfect 8-0 in conference singles play. She earned Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference honors in both singles and doubles. Vanuga turned in another strong campaign, earning Tournament MVP honors in the Empire 8 Championship Tournament and helping the Hawks secure their second title in three years. She also garnered Second Team All-Conference honors in doubles and Third Team All-Conference recognition in singles.

With a stellar performance on the field in the past week and a new Empire 8 record under her belt, Kristen Vaccarelli '25 of Dix Hills, N.Y., has been honored as the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association's Division III National Offensive Player of the Week. Each week, the IWLCA typically selects 8 players across all 3 NCAA Divisions, two from each division, and two from the NAIA. Of the pairs, one is selected for Offensive Player of the Week and the other is selected as Defensive Player of the Week. To be nominated for this great honor, players must show exemplary performances on the field worthy of national recognition. Vacarelli proved in the past week that she can perform at the top of Division III. Against the SUNY Poly Wildcats, Vaccarelli netted 6 goals and tallied 1 assist. In the next game against the Keuka College Wolves, she would add 5 more goals and 2 assists to her totals. In both games combined, she gathered an impressive 10 ground balls, 5 caused turnovers, and 18 draw controls. With her second goal against Keuka, Vaccarelli would make history by shattering an 11-year Empire 8 record for most career goals. Surpassing the previous record of 217, Vaccarelli now holds the new record with 221 goals. Vaccarelli also received her third Empire 8 Player of the Week honor this season for her standout performance.

Kristen Vaccarelli '25 of Dix Hills, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Lacrosse Co-Player of the Week honor on April 14, 2025. Vaccarelli was a force on both the offensive and defensive ends, recording nine goals and an assist, while picking up 12 ground balls and causing nine turnovers as Hartwick downed Russell Sage 14-4 and Alfred 19-4. She began the week with three goals, while causing eight turnovers in the win over Russell Sage and added six goals and seven points in the triumph over Alfred. It is her second E8 weekly honor of the season.

Colin August, a junior attack on the Hartwick College men's lacrosse team, was named to the USILA Division III Men's Lacrosse Team of the Week for the week of March 31. It is his second career USILA weekly honor. August, a native of Garrison, NY, scored five goals and added one assist to go along with a pair of round balls and caused turnover in Hartwick's 11-9 win over SUNY Brockport on March 29. August played a role in six of his team's 11 goals in the win, including three goals during a game-clinching 5-0 run over the second and third quarters.

Amanda Wilbur '25 of Watkins Glen, NY, was recognized as Hartwick College's representative for the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year Award on April 1. One member of each Empire 8 team was named that institution's representative on the 2024-25 Women's Swimming & Diving Sportsman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.

Three members of the Hartwick men's swimming and diving team have been named to the Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) for their success both in the pool and in the classroom. The honorees for the Hawks include Sebastian Knowles (Plano, TX), Bryce Rogers (Fulton, N.Y.), and Tyler LaDue (Fulton, N.Y.). All three of them have earned this recognition for the first time. Senior Sebastian Knowles competed in freestyle events and made an impact in the relays. In the Empire 8 Swim and Dive Championships, Knowles tallied several podium appearances. Knowles was also honored on the Empire 8 Fall 2024 President's List for his academic achievements, and he was also most recently named the 2024-25 Empire 8 Men's Swim and Dive Championship Torchbearer Award recipient, awarded to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average. Bryce Rogers, a sophomore, was a standout in butterfly and freestyle events. In the Empire 8 Swim and Dive Championships, Rogers secured a bronze medal in the 200 yard fly. Alongside his teammates, Rogers would take home 3 silver medals in the 800 freestyle relay, the 200 freestyle relay, and the 400 freestyle relay. He and his relay partners would also secure another bronze medal for the 400 medley relay. Rogers was also honored with spots on both the Empire 8 Fall 2024 and the Spring 2024 President's Lists. This season, junior Tyler LaDue competed in freestyle and breaststroke events as well as individual medley events. LaDue competed in over five different events at the Empire 8 Swim and Dive Championship, including the 200 yard breaststroke where he recorded a top ten finish. Most recently he has been honored on both the Fall 2024 and the Spring 2024 Empire 8 President's List. To qualify for All-District consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, hold at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and participate in at least 5 meets or rank top 8 in championships.

The Empire 8 has recently announced their selections for the 2024-25 Men's Swimming and Diving Championship All-Conference Teams, with Hartwick nearly sweeping Second-Team honors in the relay events. Sophomore Cameron Drake (El Cajon, Cal.) was a standout in distance freestyle events, securing a First-Team selection in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:34.94. Drake also was selected for First-Team in the 1650-yard freestyle, clocking in at 16:02.58, nearly 33 seconds ahead of his opponent. The 200-yard freestyle relay team-composed of Hassan Abdelwahed (New Hartford, N.Y.), Evan Nezat (Jacksonville, NC), Sebastian Knowles (Plano, TX), and Bryce Rogers (Fulton, N.Y)-clinched a Second-Team spot with a time of 1:26.54. Abdelwahed, Nezat, and Rogers-along with Drake-would also go on to make Second-Team in both the 400 and 800-yard freestyle relays, with times of 3:09.42 and 6:56.35, respectively. In the 200-yard medley relay, Owen James (St. Lutz, Fla.), Mahdi Behniaye (Hannibal, Mo.), Knowles, and Drake would make Second-Team with their time of 1:38.10. To qualify for Empire 8 All-Conference selection, student-athletes must have finished in the top two of an event at the Conference's Championship Meet, which was held February 19-22 from the Webster Aquatic Center. Winners of each event are named to First Team, while the Second Team is comprised of the first runner-up from each event. For more information, see the full Empire 8 release here.

The Hartwick Hawks have landed three student-athletes from the women's swimming and diving team on the Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) for their athletic and academic achievements. Junior Courtney Pierce (Fulton, N.Y.) has earned her second straight appearance on the team, with Anna Bischoff (Oneonta, N.Y.) and Allison Neelands (Philomath, Ore.) being recognized for the first time. This season, Pierce was a standout in breaststroke and individual medley events. She had broken her own 2023 school record for the 100 yard breaststroke with a 1:05.68 time, in addition to breaking an 11 year old school record in the 200 yard breaststroke with a new time of 2:20.50. She also received three Empire 8 Athlete of the Week honors. In the Empire 8 Swim and Dive Championships, she snagged gold in the 200 breaststroke finals and silver in the 100 yard breaststroke to help secure a second place finish for the Hawks overall. Anna Bischoff was a freestyle and medley relay participant this season, whose performances in the medleys often secured wins for the Hawks throughout the season. In the Empire 8 Swim and Dive Championships, Bischoff made several podium appearances, including a 3rd place finish in the 800 yard freestyle relay alongside her teammates. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Bischoff was also honored on the Empire 8 Fall 2024 President's List for her work in the classroom. Allison Neelands, a sophomore, specialized in freestyle events, though she did participate in several relays for the Hawks this season. A standout performance of hers includes a victory over the SUNY Delhi Broncos, where she placed first in the 50 yard freestyle with a mark of 28.80 seconds. Neelands was also recognized on the Empire 8 Fall 2024 President's List for her outstanding academic achievements. To qualify for All-District consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, hold at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and participate in at least 5 meets or rank top 8 in championships.

The Empire 8 has recently announced their 2024-25 Women's Swimming and Diving Championship All-Conference selections, with Courtney Pierce of Fulton, N.Y., representing the Hartwick Hawks. Pierce dominated the 200-yard breaststroke event with a time of 2:20.50, securing a First Team selection. She also earned a Second Team selection with her performance in the 100-yard breaststroke event, clocking in at 1:05.68. This will be Pierce's second consecutive season to earn All-Conference honors. To qualify for Empire 8 All-Conference selection, a student-athlete must have finished in the top two of an event at the Conference's Championship Meet, which was held February 19-22 from the Webster Aquatic Center. Winners of each event are named to First Team, while the Second Team is comprised of the first runner-up from each event. For more information, see the full Empire 8 release here.