ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta athletics department hosted the 33rd Athletics Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, and was attended by nearly 500 people in the Alumni Field House.
During the ceremony, the athletics department honored its team's Most Valuable Players and recognized the accomplishments of its student-athletes in nine major categories, including academic, athletic, outstanding single performances, and service to the department and campus.
Dr. Joseph Heissan '63 Senior Achievement Award
The Dr. Joseph Heissan '63 Senior Achievement Award is named in honor of Dr. Heissan, who was a two-sport standout athlete while he attended the college. The award goes to a senior who was a four-year varsity athlete, has legitimate athletic and academic credentials, and showed exemplary leadership, character, and work ethic while a varsity athlete.
This year, the recipients were Isabella Fabrizio (Highland Mills, NY/Cornwall) from women's track & field and John Bernardi (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) from men's soccer.
Fabrizio qualified for the NCAA Championships multiple times in the shot put and earned All-American Second Team honors in 2024 in the indoor shot put. Fabrizio won the outdoor shot put SUNYAC title for the past season and currently holds the record at 13.78 meters.
A four-year member of the men's soccer team, Bernardi earned All-American Third Team honors in 2023 and was the SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-team selection and named All-Region First Team.
Athletes of the Year
This year, the department honored senior women's track & field athlete Ejim Nnate (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) and wrestling junior Jack Ryan (Trumbull, CT/).
Nnate became Oneonta's first All-American hurdler after a first-team performance at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. Nnate broke the 60-meter hurdles record at 8.64 and set the 100-meter hurdles record with a 14.43. She was All-SUNYAC Second Team in both events and was All-SUNYAC Third Team in the long jump this season.
Ryan capped off a stellar season by being Oneonta's 15th wrestling All-American. After entering the tournament as the eighth seed, Ryan placed seventh in the 184 lbs. weight class at the national championships. He also was the SUNYAC Champion at 184 lbs.
Fred Puritz First-Year Athlete of the Year Award
The Fred Puritz Award is named in honor of Mr. Puritz, an esteemed faculty member and longtime Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletics Board. The award is given to a first-year male and female athlete who has excelled in their first year of college athletic competition.
This year's winners were Alexandra Howell (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) of field hockey and Lukas Jachens (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall Central) from baseball.
Howell was named the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year and finished third in the conference with 11 assists. Howell was second on the team with 21 points and scored game-winning goals against Nazareth and Oswego.
Jachens appeared in 30 games while starting 26 at shortstop this season. He finished the season with a .948 fielding percentage with 41 putouts, 69 assists, and 12 double plays. Jachens added 14 hits, 14 runs, six RBI, and five stolen bases.
Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year
The Scholar-Athlete awards are given to the male and female who are starting players and someone who makes a significant contribution to their team's success while having a minimum GPA of 3.3.
The women's award is named in honor of Lee Abbott, former associate professor of physical education and swimming & diving coach at the college who served as the Olympic Kayak coach during the 1968 and 1972 summer Olympics. Abbott was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
The female co-winners were senior Olivia O'Donnell (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) from women's cross country/track & field and senior Julia Holtermann (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) from women's tennis. O'Donnell is an environmental sustainability major. She has been named to the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honors Society and the SUNYAC Comissioner's Academic Honor Roll. Holtermann is an exercise science major and has made the SUNYAC Comissioner's Honor Roll every season. Additionally, she was CSC Academic All-Region and named All-SUNYAC Singles First Team in 2024.
Senior Graham Wooden (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) from men's basketball was the male winner. Wooden earned the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence this year. He was also a Chi Alpha Sigma National Honors Society inductee in 2024 and named CSC Academic All-District. Additionally, he was selected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court.
G. Hal Chase Memorial Award
The award is in honor of G. Hal Chase, who served as the college's athletic director and Chair of the Physical Education Department for over 40 years. It recognizes a student athlete's loyalty, leadership, dedication, and contributions to the athletics program's overall success.
This year's recipients were Callie Stinson (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) and Joseph Campise (Queens, NY/St. Francis Prep) from the swimming and diving teams. Stinson serves on the Oneonta SAAC and the SUNYAC SAAC, while Campise has worked with various outreach programs on campus and in the community.
Outstanding Single Performance Award
There were co-winners for both the men and women this year. On the women's side, basketball junior Nadia Brown (Troy, NY/Troy) helped the team overcome a 10-point deficit at Buffalo State. Hit a pair of free throws with 0.4 seconds left and finished the game with 10 points and seven assists. Ejim Nnate (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) became the first Oneonta hurdler in program history to be named First Team All-American. She placed seventh in the NCAA Indoor Championship finals in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.70.
The men's winners were men's basketball junior Xavier Hill (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) and wrestling junior Jack Ryan (Trumbull, CT/). Hill helped the Oneonta men's basketball team defeat Brockport in the SUNYAC playoffs behind a 19-point, 19-rebound performance. Ryan finished seventh in the 184 lbs. weight class at the NCAA Division III National Championships to earn All-American status.
David Ranieri Assistant Coach of the Year Award
Named in honor of longtime women's assistant soccer coach David Ranieri, the award honors assistant coaches who have improved the student-athletes experience through their hard work and commitment.
This year's winners were baseball assistant coaches Dalton and Colton Beatty. The duo has coached at Oneonta together for the past six seasons.
Steve Blackmon '76 Award
Given to a graduating senior of color or under-represented group who is in good standing with a minimum of two years of participation in a varsity sport; evidence of campus or community service/leadership activities; evidence of having overcome personal hardship or adversity.
Named in honor of Oneonta Hall of Fame basketball player, Steve Blackmon who died unexpectedly while traveling on business.
This year's recipient was senior Seidina Doukoure (Bronx, NY/The MacDuffie School). Doukoure is a political science major who is heavily involved in the Oneonta community. Doukoure played four seasons for the Red Dragons.
Ross Cordell Award
Named in honor of Mr. Cordell, who, during his many years of service to the College in Ancillary Services, would do what he could for the department through the purchase of equipment, team uniforms, organizing team dinners, and transportation. His friendship and interest benefited all student-athletes.
Dr. Katie Griffes, a sports & exercise professor at Oneonta, is the Ross Cordell Award winner. Her research interests include leadership development, particularly related to sport and military leadership, as well as Positive Youth Development and using sport as a vehicle for character and life skill development.
Geoff Hassard Commitment Award
This award is given annually to any current student-athlete who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, loyalty, and commitment to their team, the athletic department, and the campus. As leaders, they show great sportsmanship, are committed to service, and go above and beyond. This award is not an athletic or academic award.
Named in honor of former Sports Information Director Geoffrey Hassard, who spent 23 years serving the athletics department, student-athletes, and the college.
Senior Marissa Evans (Jamesville, NY/LaFayette) from women's lacrosse is the winner for her commitment to Oneonta athletics. Evans helped start the Morgan's Message chapter at Oneonta, which promotes the importance of mental health in student-athletes. She served as a chair member. She is also a two-time All-SUNYAC Second Team athlete for the lacrosse team.
Rounding out the awards for the year, the department recognizes the male and female team with the highest GPA as recipients of the Jay Pawa Team Academic Award. The award is named in honor of former History professor Jay Pawa who was a tremendous supporter of student-athletes during his tenure at the college. The women's cross country and men's soccer teams were recognized for overall academic excellence this year.
Team Most Valuable Players
Men's Soccer:................................................................................................................................... Ian Zingaro (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool)
Women's Soccer:.................................................................................................................................... Joie Tortorice (Melville, NY/Walt Whitman)
Field Hockey:...................................................................................................................................... Michaela Maniscalco (Northport, N.Y./Northport)
Volleyball:............................................................................................................................................. Ashanti Davis (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson)
Women's Cross Country............................................................................................................Sierra Basco (Albany, NY/Shaker)
Men's Cross Country:.............................................................................................................................. Jonthomas Bierman (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck)
Women's Tennis:..................................................................................................................................... Julia Holtermann (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis)
Women's Swimming & Diving:.............................................................................................................. Emma Stephenson (Owego, NY/Owego Free Academy)
Men's Swimming & Diving:.................................................................................................................. Mason DeLisio (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
Women's Indoor Track & Field:............................................................................................... Ejim Nnate (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue)
Men's Indoor Track & Field:............................................................................................... Aidan Kelly (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale)
Men's Basketball:........................................................................................................................................ Elijah Castillo (Bronx, NY/St. Raymonds)
Women's Basketball:................................................................................................................. Molly Stephens (LaGrange, NY/Arlington)
Wrestling:.............................................................................................................................................. Jack Ryan (Trumbull, CT/)
Women's Lacrosse:.............................................................................................................................. Marissa Evans (Jamesville, NY/LaFayette)
Baseball:........................................................................................................................................................ Sean Liquori (Thiells, NY/North Rockland)
Softball:.......................................................................................................................................................... Marissa Dionisio (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville)
Men's Tennis:........................................................................................................................................ August LePique (New York, NY/Columbia)
Men's Lacrosse:....................................................................................................................................... Jesse AlfanoStJohn (Westhampton Beach/Westhampton Beach)
Women's Outdoor Track & Field:............................................................................................ Isabella Fabrizio (Highland Mills, NY/Cornwall)
Men's Outdoor Track & Field:............................................................................................ Aidan Kelly (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) & Clifford Biehl (Babylon, NY/Babylon)
