The Ithaca College Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, hosted its third annual scholar-athlete luncheon this afternoon, February 7, at Emerson Suites to celebrate the exceptional academic achievements for current junior and senior student-athletes.
A total of 65 student-athletes from 25 of Ithaca's 27 sponsored varsity programs received invitations to the ceremony. Each student-athlete has obtained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher since their arrivals to South Hill three or four years ago.
Associate Director of Athletics, Will Rothermel, and Associate Chair of Physical Therapy and Faculty Athletic Representative, Barb Belyea, spearheaded the initiative to honor the student-athletes' performances in the classroom.
"This event has become one of my favorite Ithaca Athletics traditions and a terrific opportunity to reflect on the remarkable accomplishments of our student-athletes. This group of scholar-athletes embodies what it means to be a Bomber and they are an outstanding representation of Ithaca College."
"It's truly inspiring to recognize this group of student-athletes who excel in the classroom as well as in athletics, stated Belyea. Achieving this level of academic achievement speaks to the student-athletes' passion and perseverance and we are so proud of their accomplishments."
Senior Jake Ashcraft of the wrestling program served as the keynote speaker of Thursday afternoon. Ashcraft was introduced by Belyea, who highlighted Ashcraft's most significant athletic and academic accomplishments. The list included the following – a third place finish at the 2018 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, tabbed the Most Dominant Wrestler in DIII, a three-time NWCA Scholar All-American and a CoSIDA Google Cloud All-American with a 3.85 GPA.
Below is a list of the student-athletes who were recognized on Thursday afternoon:
Hailey Adler – Volleyball
Jane Alkhazov – Women's Tennis
Hannah Anderson – Softball
Jake Ashcraft – Wrestling
Garrett Bampos – Men's Cross Country
Max Barish – Men's Soccer
Meghan Beahan – Women's Cross Country
Shoshana Bedrosian – Women's Soccer
Josie Berman – Women's Swimming & Diving
Jennie Brian – Women's Crew
Liza Caldicott – Women's Crew
Matt Carey – Baseball
Nick Cohen – Men's Track & Field
Jessica Competiello – Women's Track & Field
Annie Cooney – Softball
Kelly Csernica – Women's Crew
Rebecca DiSerio – Softball
Meg Dowd – Field Hockey
Alex Estanislau – Women's Swimming & Diving
Sam Factor – Men's Soccer
Jessica Fritzsch – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Reid Garner – Women's Soccer
Elizabeth Gee – Women's Track & Field
Amanda Giarratano – Women's Swimming & Diving
Peyton Greco – Women's Golf
Preston Jones – Football
Evan Jones – Men's Track & Field
Sierra Keat – Women's Crew
Bradley Keith – Men's Swimming & Diving
Catherine Larkin – Women's Track & Field
Colten Lavery – Men's Tennis
Rachel Lee – Gymnastics
Savanna Lenker – Field Hockey
Jakob Markwardt – Men's Track & Field
Maria Matkoski – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Andy McCabe – Men's Crew
Maddy McConnon – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Maria McGloin – Field Hockey
Becky Mehorter – Women's Lacrosse
Owen Memelo – Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Gabriella Mihale – Women's Soccer
Jeff Montgomery – Men's Track & Field
Hailey Nase – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Maggie Nickerson – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Jake O'Brien – Wrestling
Allie Panara – Women's Lacrosse
Jaclyn Pecze – Women's Swimming & Diving
Sarah Pirnie – Women's Soccer
Allison Ritting – Women's Crew
Patrick Robertson – Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Brianna Ruback – Women's Tennis
Sarah Rudge – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Kaitlyn Scott – Women's Swimming & Diving
Lindsay Scott – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Kathryn Shaffer – Women's Tennis
Dawson Shyne – Men's Crew
Rachel Smertz – Women's Swimming & Diving
Tara Stilwell – Volleyball
Kevin Toal – Men's Track & Field
Genny Tripler – Women's Swimming & Diving
Allie Tunick – Women's Basketball
Ashley Warren – Women's Swimming & Diving
Amanda Wetmore – Women's Track & Field
Alex Wright - Softball
