Women’s Tennis Scores First NCAA Appearance
It wouldn’t be overstating it to call the University’s women’s tennis team’s 2012 season historic. Led by head coach Liz Steege, the Royals defeated Drew University in the semifinals and Susquehanna University in the title match, clinching their first Landmark Conference championship and earning their first NCAA tournament appearance in the program’s history.
The team put up a valiant effort against Ithaca College in the NCAAs, dropping a hard-fought 5-4 decision in a match played at Middlebury College in Vermont. In recognition of their play, co-captain Elisha Connell ’12 (Orangeburg, N.Y.) and Devon Cohen ’14 (Ambler) were named second-team All-Landmark Conference in a ballot conducted by the league’s head coaches.
This year’s championship was the program’s first since 1999, when the Royals won the Middle Atlantic Conference. The women’s tennis team’s conference championship was the University’s third league title during the 2011-2012 season. Women’s soccer and men’s basketball also won their respective league championships.
Cleary Clearly Among the Best
Tim Cleary ’13 (Shrewsbury, N.J.), a mainstay on a Royals’ defensive unit, made a name for himself this past season, becoming the University’s first men’s lacrosse player to earn All-America honors from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. A first-team All-Landmark Conference selection in each of the last two seasons, Cleary was one of six honorable mention selections at long-pole midfield.
In addition to Cleary, Dillon McInerney ’13 (Hawthorne, N.J.) was also named first-team All-Landmark Conference, while Kyle Frank ’12 (Glen Arm, Md.), Mike Rufo ’12 (Broomall) and Pat Farrell ’15 (Jamison) earned second-team honors. Farrell was also named the conference’s co-rookie of the year.
Royals Balancing Athletics & Academics
Three Student-Athletes Named Academic All-Americans
Student-athletes have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders, and University of Scranton student-athletes are no different. Between excelling on the playing field and performing in the classroom, there’s a lot expected of them. It’s important for all Royals to understand that victories, while celebrated, are not always the ultimate goal.
Three such Scranton student-athletes stood out during the 2011-2012 academic year, garnering the coveted title as a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American.
Kelly Zaccheo ’12 (Scranton) of the softball team, David Hovey ’12 (Forty Fort) of the men’s swim team and Tim McGurrin ’13 (Clarks Summit) of the men’s tennis team were each named third team in the national program sponsored by Capital One, bringing the University’s total number of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans to 29.
In order to qualify, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore, be a key starter or reserve, and have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Zaccheo, Hovey and McGurrin were each All-Landmark Conference selections in their respective sports this past season.
Toasting Our Senior Athletes
Nearly 70 student-athletes gathered at the 21st annual Senior Student-Athlete Banquet on May 12, commemorating their four years of success and sacrifice, as well as to recognize one another. Among those honored were (from left): Christina Cognetti ’12 (Westfield, N.J.) of the women’s soccer team as the female recipient of the Father Fitzpatrick Award (community service); Carrie Gillespie ’12 (New Market, Md.) of the women’s swim team as the female recipient of the O’Hara Award (outstanding female athlete of the senior class); David Hovey ’12 (Forty Fort) of the men’s swim team as the male recipient of the Father Fitzpatrick (community service) and Carlesimo (athletic and academic excellence) awards; Kelly Zaccheo ’12 (Scranton) of the softball team as the female recipient of the Carlesimo Award (athletic and academic excellence); and Alicia Tamboia ’12 (Wingdale, N.Y.) of the field hockey team as the recipient of the Willensky Award (for understanding and improving the human condition).
