Hartwick College

Braelyn Hornick '25 of Candor, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Player of the Week honor on Nov. 3, 2025. Hornick led Hartwick to the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Empire 8 Championship Tournament with road wins over SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Brockport. She dished out 79 assists and added 19 digs to go along with five kills. Hornick recorded 41 assists and 10 digs in a four-set win over Geneseo on Friday, then added 38 assists, nine digs and three kills in a four-set victory over Brockport on Saturday. It is her second Empire 8 weekly honor of 2025.

The Hartwick Women's Tennis team was well represented on the Empire 8 All-Conference honors list, as six Hawks earned recognition for their outstanding performances this season, the conference announced Oct. 28. Leading the way for Hartwick on the Empire 8 First Team Singles were Phoebe Olson of Jamestown, N.D. and Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y. Olson, the reigning Empire 8 Tournament MVP, secured her fourth consecutive All-Conference selection and third First Team honor in her decorated career. Lantzy made an immediate impact in her debut season at the top-flight position, earning her second First Team nod after posting a 6-1 conference record and finishing 8-3 overall. Lily Vanuga of Springville, N.Y., Maggie Van Valkenburgh of Highland, N.Y., and Gianna Leggieri of Ballston Lake, N.Y., all earned Second Team Singles recognition. Vanuga was dominant at the No. 3 position, going 6-1 in conference play and 7-4 overall. Van Valkenburgh continued her remarkable consistency, completing a perfect conference slate for the fourth straight year while compiling an 11-2 overall mark, with her only setbacks coming against regional powers Ithaca and RIT. Leggieri enjoyed a breakout season, going 10-2 overall and undefeated in conference play en route to her first career All-Conference singles honor. Maddi Morrison of Burnt Hills, N.Y., rounded out Hartwick's impressive lineup, earning Third Team Singles recognition - her first career All-Conference selection. Morrison was a steady presence at the No. 6 spot, finishing the season unbeaten in conference and 11-1 overall. All six Hawks also received All-Conference Doubles honors, further highlighting the team's dominance under Head Coach Samantha Butcher. Olson and Leggieri earned First Team Doubles honors after posting a 9-3 overall record and a 7-1 mark in Empire 8 play. Lantzy and Vanuga joined them on the First Team, proving nearly unbeatable at No. 2 doubles with an 11-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 conference slate. Van Valkenburgh and Morrison completed the sweep with Second Team Doubles recognition, also going 11-1 overall and 8-0 in Empire 8 competition. The Empire 8 also honored Van Valkenburgh as Hartwick's representative on the Tomorrow's Leaders Team, recognizing her commitment to leadership, sportsmanship, and integrity on and off the court. Lantzy, a junior Biology major, received the Empire 8 Torchbearer Award, presented to the championship team member with the highest GPA. Lantzy earned the distinction with an impressive 3.8 GPA. Additionally, Butcher was named 205 Empire 8 Coach of the Year after leading Hartwick to its second straight Empire 8 Championship and third in the last four seasons. It is Butcher's third E8 Women's Tennis Coach of the Year award.

Mackenzie Hubbard '27 of High Falls, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 27, 2025. Hubbard was a vital piece of the Hartwick back line that only conceded one goal in 120 minutes of play. Hubbard pushed the attack as well from her defender position, collecting two assists in the win over Alfred.

Samantha Lantzy '27 of Valatie, N.Y., and Lily Vanuga '25 of Springville, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Doubles Team of the Week honor on Oct. 20, 2025. Lantzy and Vanuga controlled both of their second doubles matches to help Hartwick capture its second straight Empire 8 Championship. The pair earned a decisive 6-1 win over Alfred in the semifinal, then blanked SUNY Geneseo 6-0 as Hartwick secured a 4-1 team victory in the title match. It was their second Empire 8 Doubles Team of the Week honor.

Phoebe Olson '26 of Jamestown, North Dakota, earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week honor on Oct. 20, 2025. Olson was named the 2025 Empire 8 Women's Tennis Championship Most Valuable Player, going 2-0 at first doubles, while securing the decisive point at second singles in the title match against SUNY Geneseo. Olson earned a win at first doubles against Alfred, as Hartwick won the match, 4-0. Then against Geneseo, Olson won 6-2 in doubles action and secured the win for the Hawks at second singles, earning a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 victory to score Hartwick's fourth point.

Braelyn Hornick '25 of Candor, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Player of the Week honor on Oct. 20, 2025. Hornick continues to conduct the potent Hawks attack with high efficiency, guiding the Hawks to a flawless 3-0 week, including two conference wins over Alfred and Houghton. Hornick compiled 125 assists, averaging 10.5 helpers per set, while adding in four aces, seven kills and 24 digs. Hornick averaged 11.75 assists per set in the two conference matches, including a season high 54 assists against Alfred and 40 assists in just three sets en route to handing Houghton their first conference loss.

Ava Reynolds '28 of South Glens Falls, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 20, 2025. Reynolds excelled in the cage for the Hawks, stopping seven shots and allowing just two goals in two wins. Reynolds made five saves in a 2-1 overtime victory over SUNY Cortland and made a pair of stops in a 5-1 victory over St. John Fisher. It is Reynolds' second E8 weekly honor of 2025.

Phoebe Olson '26 of Jamestown, N.D., and Gianna Leggieri '27 of Ballston Lake, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Doubles Team of the Week honor on Oct. 13, 2025. Olson and Leggieri set the tone for the Hawks against St. John Fisher, being the first ones off the court with a 6-1 win at No.1 doubles en route to clinching their fourth consecutive regular season title.

Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week honor on Oct. 13, 2025. Lantzy was pivotal in helping the Hawks clinch their fourth consecutive regular season title with a 6-1 win over St. John Fisher. Lantzy began the day with a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles with Lily Vanuga before ending the day with a statement, winning 6-4, 6-2 at first singles. It is Lantzy's third E8 Player of the Week honor this season.

Katelyn Klotz '27 of South Glens Falls, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 13, 2025. Klotz made a major difference in two conference wins from the backline, recording five points on two goals and an assist, while holding opponents to one goal and 12 total shots. The Hartwick College defender had a goal and an assist in a 6-0 win over Russell Sage and scored in a 5-1 victory over SUNY Brockport.

Jenna Mierek '26 of Prospect, Conn., earned the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 13, 2025. Mierek made a major impact all over the pitch on both ends for Hartwick College, pouring in three assists in a 5-0 win over Elmira as well as commanding the backline, helping lead the Hawks to a pair of clean sheets over the two matches, which also included a scoreless draw against Houghton.

Shelby Swartz '26 of Candor, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Co-Player of the Week honor on Oct. 6, 2025. Swartz came up big at the net for the Hawks in their flawless 4-0 week, opening with road wins at Russell Sage and SUNY Poly before taking down Utica and Alfred State in a home tri-match. Swartz collected 48 kills over the week to just nine errors, hitting .353, while picking up nine blocks, 39 digs and three service aces. Swartz posted double digit kills in three of four matches, with her highest coming against Poly with 17, while hitting .375.

Hope Angioletti '27 of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Field Hockey Co-Offensive Player of the Week honor on Oct. 6, 2025. Angioletti was the driving force behind the Hawks' dominant 2-0 weekend, contributing eight valuable points in the Empire 8 triumphs over Elmira and Nazareth. Angioletti collected the game-winning assists in both contests, posting identical scorelines of one goal and two assists in each of Hartwick's two wins.

Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week honor on Sept. 29, 2025. Lantzy enjoyed a stellar weekend for Hartwick, posting a 4-0 record in in two conference victories over Utica and Nazareth. Lantzy posted a flawless result against Utica, not dropping a single game in doubles or at No. 1 singles. Samantha picked a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles over Nazareth on Saturday before taking a 6-2, 6-3 victory in No. 1 singles. This is the second time this season Lantzy has earned the honor, previously being named Player of the Week on Sept. 2.

Jelani Usim '29 of Kingston, Jamaica, earned the Empire 8 Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 29, 2025. Usim recorded a 0.50 goals against average and .923 save percentage, making 12 saves, as Hartwick finished 1-0-1 on the week. Usim began the week by one save for his first collegiate win in net, a 1-0 victory at SUNY Poly. Usim was brilliant against SUNY Brockport, making 11 saves, including seven in the first half in a 1-1 draw.

Ava Reynolds '28 of South Glens Falls, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 22, 2025. Reynolds was stellar in the cage for Hartwick on Saturday, collecting 10 saves in the conference opener against Houghton in a 4-0 win. Reynolds posted her first clean sheet of the season as the Hawks handed the Highlanders their first loss of the year.

Hartwick College cornerback Robert Kennedy was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Kennedy, a junior from Hastings-On-Hudson, N.Y., was named the Empire 8 Defensive Co-Player of the Week and was a true playmaker in the 29-27 thriller over Buffalo State, collecting three interceptions including a 15-yard pick six in the third quarter that gave the Hawks a 20-14 lead. Kennedy's third interception came on a crucial fourth quarter drive to keep the Hawks in front. Kennedy also added nine tackles, including six solo and one tackle for loss in the win.

Brennan McNeilly '26 of Lindenhurst, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Football Special Teams Player of the Week honor on Sept. 15, 2025. McNeilly came up huge for the Hawks, blocking two extra points including one returned for a two-point conversion after Buffalo State scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Instead of Buffalo State taking a 21-20 lead, McNeilly's play gave Hartwick a 22-20 edge. The two stops would prove to be the difference in the 29-27 victory over Buffalo State.

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.

Hartwick College congratulates 232 students who received their academic degrees on May 17, 2025.

Hartwick College congratulates the 376 students named to the Spring 2025 Dean's List.

Billie Metcalf '25 of Natick, Mass., recently received the Hartwick College Presidential Purchase Prize from President Jim Mullen. The award, recognizing Metcalf's mixed-media exhibit "Study of the Beast," includes a $500 cash prize. A piece from the exhibition will hang in the President's Office for a year before being added to the College Alumni Art Collection. Additional prizes included: Most Improved: Ash Rhodes '25 of McDonough, N.Y., and Alex Stanton '25 of Bovina Center, N.Y. Best in Show: Bailey Ernst '25 of Delhi, N.Y., for "Shadow Puppet."

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.