On Monday evening, the Lehman College student-athletes were honored for their participation in the 2009-2010 athletic campaign at the 58th annual Athletic Awards dinner. The dinner was held in the East Dining Room on the campus of Lehman College.
The evening started off with a touching speech by the Lehman College Athletic Director Dr. Martin L. Zwiren speaking upon his pride in the Lehman College Athletic program. In the midst, individual players were awarded by the Lightning varsity coaches shortly after.
Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Women’s volleyball’s sophomore standout Gerri-Ann Martin got the honor this year, while Men’s Volleyball sensation Nate Martin captured the award on the men’s side. Both players are category leaders for their individual teams.
Receiving the Female scholar-athlete award was the women’s basketball standout Kelsey Ash who during the 2009-2010 season tallied a total of 41 steals in 27 games, a total good for second-best on the squad. Her 65 defensive rebounds were also good for fifth-best on the squad all while holding 3.75 GPA. She was also one of only four members of the Lightning to play in all 27 of the team’s games. On the Men’s side, Track & Field’s Richard Esposito grabbed the nod, participating in the 2009-2010 campaign all while holding an amazing 3.8 average.
This year, the President’s Award was presented to Dorothy Jean-Pierreof the Women’s Indoor, Outdoor and Cross Country team. In her four year tenure here at Lehman College Dorothy has made a lasting impact on its athletic program and the CUNY athletic conference.This senior standout has captivated the cross country and track and field landscape with her amazing talents, and her ability to lead by example. This past athletic year, she was the first member of the Lightningto finish at the CUNYAC championship meet. During the indoor track and field season- at the 2010 CUNYAC championship meet- she took home a medal in the women's 1500 meter dash, finishing that event in an impressive time of 5:12.80. It was the fourth consecutive year at the CUNYAC championships that she won the 1500. She put an exclamation point on her year with a terrific showing in the CUNYAC outdoor championships. Her dedication to the Lehman College athletic program and her will to do her best and inspire her teammates are primary reasons as to why she received this award.
Other athletes were also recognized and were happy to attend the evening event. “Tonight reflected on a lot of accomplishments by our student-athletes” said Lehman College Athletic Director Dr. Martin L. Zwiren. “I know that some of the teams will have this dinner to ruminate new goals for the next athletic year”
The 2009-10 Lehman College Award Winners
Men’s Baseball- Most Improved Player: Jhon Comas Disla, MVP: Matthew Arvelo
Men’s Basketball- Most Improved Player: Patryk Odedina, MVP: Xavier Garvin
Women’s Basketball- Most Improved Player: Alicia McDaniel, MVP: Tiana Rosa
Cheerleading- Most Improved: Kristine Nierva, Most Valuable: Monique Bragg
Men’s Cross Country- Rookie of the Year: Leonel Hevia, MVP: Oscar Kamalu
Women’s Cross Country- Rookie of the Year: Caroline Chung , MVP: Michaelle Garcon
Men’s indoor Track & Field- Most Improved: Phillip Akogu, MVP: Irfan Anwar
Women’s Indoor Track Field- Most Improved Runner: Janina Browne, MVP: Jillene Sennon
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field- Most Improved Runner: Juan Wagner, MVP: Irfan Anwar
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field- Most Improved Runner: Shanoy Francis MVP: Dorothy Jean-Pierre
Soccer- Rookie of the Year: Geovanny Arredonde, MVP: Thaddeus Ikwuka
Men’s Swimming- Rookie of the Year: Ivan Srdanovic, MVP: Joaquin Cruz
Women’s Swimming- Most Valuable Swimmer: Luisa Garcia, MVP: Judy Espinal
Men’s Tennis- Rookie of the Year: David Chang, MVP: Miguel Carela
Women’s Tennis- Most Dedicated Player: Aurora Peters, Rookie of the Year: Melissa Hemick
MVP: Evauna Neville
Men’s Volleyball- Rookie of the Year: Angel Fernandez, MVP: RJ LeBlanc
Women’s Volleyball- Rookie of the Year: Racine Brown, MVP: Jillian Acevedo
Softball- Most Dedicated Player:Vania Cadet, MVPlayer: Natalie Martinez
Special Awards Winners
Female Athlete of the Year – Gerri-ann Martin
Service Award Winners - Mike Baer and Jorge Mateus
Ed Kramer Award - Thaddeus Ikwuka
Male Scholar Athlete - Richard Esposito
Charlie Greenberg - Miguel Carela
Paula Soto - Nailean Arzu
Pedro Vialet Memorial Award - Christopher Jones
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year - Kelsey Ash
Male Athlete of the Year - Nate Martin
President's Award - Dorothy Jean Pierre