Women’s Tennis Goes Back-to-Back
The women’s tennis team captured its second straight Landmark Conference title and earned its second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Royals went on to post their first NCAA Tournament victory by defeating LaRoche College, 5-0, in a first-round match before falling to seventh-ranked Johns Hopkins. Devon Cohen ’14 (Ambler) earned first-team all-conference honors for singles play. Megan Azzalina ’15 (Easton) and Nicole Mahaffey ’15 (Harrisburg) earned second-team doubles honors, and Emily Walsh ’16 (Scranton) was named Rookie of the Year in the Landmark Conference.
Swinging for Success
Following its third straight Glenmaura National Collegiate Invitational championship, the men’s golf team gathered to celebrate. Seen from left are volunteer assistant coach Chris Schank; Erik Meyer ‘15, co-captain; Justin Riley ‘13; Grant Gulick ‘14, co-captain; Jamie Bresnahan ‘13; Charles Hudacek ‘14; and Ed Karpovich, head coach.
Wall of Fame Gains 6 New Faces
The University officially inducted six new members into the athletics department’s Wall of Fame in a Dec. 1 ceremony. The class of 2012 included the following members (from left): Mark Beneski ’92 (men’s basketball, 1988-1992); Al Callejas ’02 (men’s basketball, 1997-2001); Judith (Grimaldi) Shapiro ’89 (field hockey, 1985-1988); Jennifer (Knight) Sifnakis ’99 (volleyball, 1995-1998); Tom McGill ’83 (men’s soccer, 1979-1982); and Meghan Quinlan ’02 (women’s soccer, 1998-2001). Founded in 1970, the Wall of Fame honors former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and those in the community who have been instrumental in the overall development of the university’s athletics program. This year’s class brings the Wall’s membership to 226.
Hardwood Heroes
The men’s basketball team went 19-7 and reached the Landmark Conference playoffs, marking the eighth straight season the Royals have reached the conference playoffs and won at least 18 games. Guard Ross Danzig ’15 (Clarks Green) earned third-team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors from D3hoops.com, and Danzig and guard Travis Farrell ’13 (Middletown, N.J.) were named first-team All-Landmark Conference. Head coach Carl Danzig now has 221 career victories in his 13 seasons, the second-most in Scranton history.
Lady Royals Return to NCAAs
The Lady Royals went 19-9, advanced to the Landmark Conference championship and made their 26th appearance all-time in the NCAA Tournament and first since 2010, where they lost to eventual third-place finisher Williams College in the first round. Erin Boggan ’13 (Danbury, Conn.), Meredith Mesaris ’15 (Fairfax, Va.) and Lindsay Fluehr ’15 (Bensalem) each earned second-team All-Landmark Conference honors. Head coach Mike Strong now has 789 career victories, extending his record for the most career wins in NCAA Division III women’s basketball history.
McCormick Makes a Splash
The men’s swimming and diving team had one individual conference champion and set seven school records while finishing third at the Landmark Conference championships, the program’s fourth straight top-three finish in the conference championships. Diver Tim McCormick ’13 (Scranton), who won the individual championship in one-meter diving, was named District IV All-Academic by the College Sports Information Directors of America. He was also one of six Scranton athletes to earn All-Landmark Conference honors at the conference championships.
Prolonged Pool Success
The women’s swimming and diving team finished second at the Landmark Conference championships for the third straight year, marking the 10th consecutive season the Royals have finished either first or second in their conference. Colleen Barry ’15 (Pembroke, Mass.) was named Landmark Conference Diver of the Year and three Royals – Barry, Paige Agnello ’15 (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Alexis Walsh ’15 (Hazlet, N.J.) – each won individual conference titles. The trio also combined to set four school records in the event – two by Barry and one each by Agnello and Walsh. Five other swimmers earned All-Landmark Conference honors at the championship
Royals Shine On Diamond
The baseball team went 23-20 and advanced to the Landmark Conference championship series for the third time in the past six seasons. The 23 wins marked the third straight year the Royals won 20 or more games – the first time they’ve accomplished that in school history. Catcher Michael Amaturo ’13 (Rye, N.Y.) received third-team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors from D3baseball.com. Pitcher Corey Gorman ’12 (Laflin) was named Landmark Conference Pitcher of the Year and joined Amaturo and outfielder Michael Gaeta ’13 (Cranford, N.J.) on the All-Landmark Conference first team.
By the Numbers
49 Career singles victories for men’s tennis player Joe Morra ’13 (Bronx, N.Y.).
26 NCAA Tournament appearances for the women’s basketball team in the tournament’s 32-year history.
16 Career pitching victories for Bobby Della Polla ’13 (Havertown) of the baseball team.
