ROCHESTER, NY – On Sunday, April 28 the Nazareth athletics department held the second annual Athletics Awards Banquet at the Glazer Music Performance Center on campus. Similar to the ESPY Awards, the banquet is a way to honor the great accomplishments from the year. Additionally, seniors from each of the teams were recognized on stage throughout the ceremony.
 
For those who were unable to watch the ceremony live, the archived live stream can be viewed here.
 
Additionally, this year featured pre-ceremony "Red Carpet Interviews" hosted by women's hockey and lacrosse player Makenna Wiljanen, and men's hockey play Harrison Dumas. If you missed it, the video can be viewed on the Nazareth athletics portal by clicking the "On Demand" tab.  

Check out photos from the night.
 
President Paul kicked things off by presenting the President's Award given to the male and female teams that have excelled in the classroom and improved on their achievements in their respective sport from the previous season. This year's winners were men's volleyball (3.17 GPA) and women's basketball (3.39 GPA). 
 
Next up were the non-senior awards, with nominees submitted by each coach on behalf of their squad. Following the submissions, five Student Advisory Committee members, along with Sport Information and Assistant Athletics Director Jeff Rahmlow, Assistant Sports Information Director Kelly Vergin, Athletics Director Pete Bothner, and Associate Athletics Director Traci Lian selected the winners. The winners were:

Comeback athlete of the year
Sophia Scialdone (women's lacrosse)
Ethan Kenyon (men's cross country/track and field)
 
Rookie of the Year
Ellen Burroughs (women's swimming and diving)
Tyler Manchester (equestrian/men's volleyball)
 
Sophomore of the Year
Tatum Overton (women's swimming and diving)
Jack Pomykaj (men's track and field)
 
Junior of the Year
Tessa Grover (women's volleyball)
Cade Eells (men's cross country/track and field)
 
Fifth Year of the Year
Kate Metzler (women's lacrosse)
Logan Blankenberg (men's basketball)
 
Best Social Media Post of the Year
Women's Basketball (Co-Empire 8 Champions Video)
Men's Volleyball (Senior Day Walk-in)
 
Female and Male Team Coaching Staff of the Year
Women's Basketball led by head coach Kelly Dunne-Romig
Men's track and field led by head coach James Goss and Mike Heymann
 
Best Multi-Sport Athlete
Sam Romanosky (soccer/swimming and diving/lacrosse)
Morgan Russo (field hockey/softball)
 
Best play
Ella Cedrone (women's hockey) – goal vs Williams
Kaleb Luton (men's track and field) – 60-meter hurdles at Empire 8 Indoor Championships; set meet, conference, facility, and school record.
 
Best individual record-setting performance
Alexa Rizzo (swimming and diving) – Set 1-meter board 6 and 11 dive school and pool records; earned all-american honors at NCAAs
Ryan Hough (swimming and diving) – Set back-to-back school and pool record at senior meet in 50 and 100 freestyle

Best record setting performance by a team
Female team – Basketball set school record for wins in a row with 13
Male team – Basketball led the country in fewest turnovers

Best Team
Female – women's hockey
Male – men's track and field
 
New Awards
Two new awards were added for the 2023-24 banquet. The first was the Flyer Fanatic Team Award, presented to a team that exemplifies great school spirit with involvement in campus events (athletics games, club events, etc) in addition to exemplary involvement in the community. The second was the Athletic Training Inspiration Award given to an athlete who in the eyes of the Athletic Training Department has shown great resolve and dedication after sustaining injuries.
 
Flyer Fanatic Team – women's hockey
Athletic Training Inspiration Award – Patrick Notaro (rugby) and Liddie Hoare (women's lacrosse)
 
Senior Award Winners
 
Emily Haskins Inspirational Award
Presented for athletic achievement as well as inspiration to others. The award is named after former Nazareth soccer player Emily Haskins, who died unexpectedly.
 
Female winners – Lilianna Hanning (xc/track and field) and Lauren Bendall (track and field)
Male winner – Liam Hopwood (basketball)
 
Bill Carey Sportsmanship Award
Named for former Nazareth College Athletic Director and Hall of Famer, Bill Carey, who retired in 1998 after 18 years with Nazareth. The award recognizes athletic achievement as well as fair play and commitment to team concepts.
 
Female winner – Maggie Gannon (lacrosse)
Male winner – Jacob Townsand (rugby)
 
Jeff Van Gundy Award
Named for former Nazareth basketball standout and Sports Hall of Famer Jeff Van Gundy, who was renowned for his work ethic and passion for his team and for his school. The award recognizes those characteristics as well commitment to Nazareth athletics in and out of season.
 
Female winners – McKinley Hoff (hockey) and Julia Holmes (hockey)
Male winner – Owen Wickens (volleyball)
 
Kidera Scholar-Athlete Award
Named after former Nazareth College President Robert A. Kidera, who spearheaded the growth of the Nazareth athletic program during his tenure from 1976 through 1984. Award recipients must: be a senior with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or above; display character and leadership in campus activities; be a member in good standing on a varsity team.
 
Female Winners – Lea Richard (track and field) and Alexa Rizzo (swimming and diving)
Male Winners – Quinn McKercher (lacrosse) and Ryan Hough (swimming and diving)