Hartwick College

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.

The National Field Hockey Association recently announced their 2024 Division III Scholars of Distinction. The NFHCA Scholars of Distinction program recognizes and highlights the academic achievements of student-athletes who have earned a cumulative 3.9 GPA or higher through the fall 2024 semester. This year, the program features over 550 student-athletes, three of which represent the Hartwick Hawks. Among these honorees is sophomore Natalie O'Malley (Pleasantville, N.Y. / Pleasantville), who has landed on the list for her second consecutive year. Also joining O'Malley are first year players Makayla Bales (Sidney, N.Y. / Sidney) and Tessa Cox (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Our Lady of Lourdes). All three of these honorees have also been named to the NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad. The full NFHCA release can be found here.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association recently recognized the academic accolades of 14 Hartwick field hockey players in a pool of over 1,880 undergraduate players by adding them to the 2024 Division III National Academic Squad. This program, sponsored by OPA Winning Teams, recognizes undergraduate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of over 3.5 or higher in the most recent fall semester, and are nominated by their NFHCA member coach. The Hawks who have been recognized this year include: Hope Angioletti (Hopewell Junction, N.Y. / John Jay) Makayla Bales (Sidney, N.Y. / Sidney) Jessica Betts (South Glens Falls, N.Y. / South Glens Falls) Tessa Cox (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Our Lady of Lourdes) Kiara Dolan (Cazenovia, N.Y. / Cazenovia) Dani Hand (Queensbury, N.Y. / Queensbury) Makenzie Kensel (San Diego, CA / Scripps Ranch) Kayla Kinkel (Hopewell Junction, N.Y. / John Jay) Erica Leeson (Auburn, N.Y. / Auburn) Natalie O'Malley (Pleasantville, N.Y. / Pleasantville) Ava Reynolds (South Glens Falls, N.Y. / South Glens Falls) Katelyn Sanzone (Manlius, N.Y. / Fayetteville-Manlius) Sami Shortino (Webster, N.Y. / Webster) Ashley Tricarico (Hopewell Junction, N.Y. / John Jay) The full NFHCA release can be found here.

College Sports Communicators announced the Men's Basketball College Division At-Large Academic All-District Teams on March 25, with Mike Gitz receiving recognition. The sophomore guard boasted an impressive second season with the Hawks, leading the team with 272 points and ranking first on the Hawks with 70 three-pointers made. The Commack, N.Y., native also ranks second on the team with a total of 94 field goals made. Gitz was also recently named Hartwick's representative for the Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year Award. Off the court, Gitz was also recognized for outstanding academic achievement, having been named to the Empire 8 Fall 2024 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 be a starter or important reserve for their respective teams.

College Sports Communicators announced the Women's Basketball College Division At-Large Academic All-District Teams on March 25 and three Hartwick Hawks received recognition. Macy Durkin of Syracuse, N.Y., Emma Cohen of Utica, N.Y., and Trinity Thornton of Sherburne, N.Y., all were selected to represent women's basketball on the Women's At-Large team. Durkin started in all 24 games for the Hawks this season, leading the team with 106 field goals made and a .380 field goal percentage. The sophomore guard also ranked first on the team with 262 points and 203 rebounds, averaging a total of 8.5 rebounds per game. She also leads the team in assists with 50 and steals with 56. This season, Durkin was also named to the Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team and held three Hawk of the Week honors. Cohen was also a starter for the Hawks in all 24 games, ranking second on the team with 214 points and third on the team with 41 assists. She is also tied for leading the team with 27 three-pointers made and 14 blocks. Cohen also displayed great academic achievement off the court, having been named to the Empire 8 Fall 2024 President's List. Thornton played in 23 games for the Hawks. This season, she led the team with a .800 free throw percentage. The sophomore forward also tallied 68 points on the court, 6 assists, and 39 rebounds. In addition to her athletic achievements, Thornton was also recognized and named to the Empire 8 Fall 2024 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 be a starter or important reserve for their respective teams.

Daniella DeBiase '25 of Staten Island, N.Y., was recognized as Hartwick College's representative for the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year Award on Feb. 27. One member of each Empire 8 team was named that institution's representative on the 2024-25 Women's Basketball 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.

Macy Durkin of Syracuse, N.Y., represented the Hartwick Hawks with her first All-Conference selection, being selected to the Third Team. Durkin was the engine for the young Hawks squad, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals while starting all 24 games for the Royal Blue and White. She poured in 262 points, snagged 203 rebounds, dished out 50 assists and posted 56 steals for a career year. Durkin made waves in the conference as well, ranking fourth in two categories with an average of 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals. Durkin's 16 boards versus the Pioneers places her at second in the conference for a single game total.

The Hartwick College Hawks placed 91 student-athletes on the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List, improving their total from last fall. The Empire 8 President's List award is recognized as one of the conference's highest honors. Two of these student-athletes represent Hartwick College Men's Basketball: Jackson Frame and Michael Gitz. In order to qualify, student-athletes must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher during the semester, display positive conduct on and off campus, be enrolled full time, while also participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. For Hartwick, all 17 teams had a member named to the President's List.

The Hartwick College Hawks placed 91 student-athletes on the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List, improving their total from last fall. The Empire 8 President's List award is recognized as one of the conference's highest honors. 8 of these student-athletes represent Hartwick College Women's Volleyball: Malia Dake, Emily Janik, Ellie Kalbach, Mallory Muglio, Sophia Palladino, Shelby Swartz, Arianna Thompson and Lucille Walker. In order to qualify, student-athletes must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher during the semester, display positive conduct on and off campus and be enrolled full time while also participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. All 17 Hartwick College teams had a member named to the President's List. Nine teams were selected to receive Empire 8 All-Academic Team honors including women's volleyball. Individual programs must post a team GPA of 3.2 or higher.

The Hartwick College Hawks placed 91 student-athletes on the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List, improving their total from last fall. The Empire 8 President's List award is recognized as one of the conference's highest honors. Four of these student-athletes represent Hartwick College Women's Cross Country/Track & Field: Brynita Haas, Madilynne Smith, Giovanna Wall and Julia Weinschreider. Molly Corbett made the President's List representing Women's Track & Field. Luca Montesano made the list representing Men's Track & Field and Lawrence McCumiskey made the list representing Men's Cross Country/Track & Field. In order to qualify, student-athletes must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher during the semester, display positive conduct on and off campus, be enrolled full time, while also participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. For Hartwick, all 17 teams had a member named to the President's List.

The Hartwick College Hawks placed 91 student-athletes on the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List, improving their total from last fall. The Empire 8 President's List award is recognized as one of the conference's highest honors. Two of these student-athletes represent Hartwick College Women's Basketball: Emma Cohen and Trinity Thornton. In order to qualify, student-athletes must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher during the semester, display positive conduct on and off campus and be enrolled full time while also participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. All 17 Hartwick College teams had a member named to the President's List. Nine teams were selected to receive Empire 8 All-Academic Team honors including women's basketball. Individual programs must post a team GPA of 3.2 or higher.

The Hartwick College Hawks placed 91 student-athletes on the Fall 2024 Empire 8 President's List, improving their total from last fall. The Empire 8 President's List award is recognized as one of the conference's highest honors. Four of these student-athletes represent Hartwick College Men's Soccer: Devin Chandler, Jackson Gilstrap, Matthew Morrison and Jonathan Smith. In order to qualify, student-athletes must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher during the semester, display positive conduct on and off campus, be enrolled full time, while also participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. For Hartwick, all 17 teams had a member named to the President's List.