ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta athletics department hosted the 34th Athletics Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, with nearly 500 people in attendance at 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, a two-sport standout athlete while attending 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.
Senior Julia Serena (White Plains, N.Y./Valhalla) from softball was the recipient on the women's side. Serena led the Red Dragons in all offensive categories and was the SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-SUNYAC First Team. Serena broke the program record in RBI, doubles, and total bases. Serena was all-conference and all-region every season at Oneonta.
Senior Derek Marques (Somers, N.Y./Somers) from men's soccer won the men's award. Marques was all-region and All-SUNYAC First Team this past season.
Athletes of the Year
Serena also took home the women's athlete of the year award. Junior Jack Ryan (Trumbull, CT/) from and junior Jamie O'Neil (Bath, N.Y./Haverling) from wrestling were the men's honorees. Ryan became the sixth Red Dragon to win multiple wrestling All-American honors after placing third in the 184 lbs. at the NCAA Championships. O'Neil was the SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team selection. He lead the team with 102 points on 50 goals and 52 assists.
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.
Freshman Jaiden Schrag (New Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley Central) of track & field won on the women's side, while freshman Jackson Maby (Susquehanna, PA/Susquehanna Community) from wrestling was the men's recipient. Schrag was the SUNYAC Indoor Rookie of the Year and the SUNYAC Indoor Rookie and Performer of the Meet. Schrag went all-conference in four events at the SUNYAC Indoor Championships, and then was SUNYAC champion in the outdoor 100-meter hurdles.
Maby was a seven-time SUNYAC Rookie Wrestler of the Week during his first season for the Red Dragons. He finished the year going 27-3. Schrag was a NYS Collegiate Champion, Scholar All-American, ranked in the top 20 most of the season, as high as No. 14 nationally.
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.
Senior Sabrinna Mena (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) of the cross country and track and field teams was the women's honoree. Mena is a dietetics major with a 3.94 cumulative GPA. This past season, she was the SUNYAC cross country runner-up at the conference meet and was all-region. Additionally, Mena took home the SUNY and SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year awards.
For the men, junior Dillon Kelly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Beacon) from men's soccer was the winner. Kelly was named to the All-SUNYAC Third Team and won the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. Kelly is a biology/pre-med major with a 3.95 GPA.
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 success.
This year's recipients were Callie Stinson (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) of women's swimming and diving and Owen Siegel (Liberty, N.Y./Liberty) of men's soccer. Stinson serves as the public relations representative for the Oneonta SAAC and is also part of the SUNYAC SAAC as the vice president of legislation. Siegel serves as the Oneonta SAAC president and vice president of communications for SUNYAC SAAC.
Outstanding Single Performance Award
Senior Cassidy Moore (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) of the Oneonta women's lacrosse team won the women's single performance award. Moore broke the draw control school record with 16 in the 18-16 win over Canton. She also added one goal and three assists.
On the men's side, senior wrestler Carson LiCastri (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow High School) won with his NCAA Regional performance. After losing his first-round match at the NCAA Regionals, LiCastri won five straight with four falls, including a win over the SUNYAC Champion and a returning NCAA qualifier. LiCastri qualified for the NCAA Championships as a result.
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.
The two winners were assistant men's basketball coach Chad Boyles, and assistant men's soccer and interim head tennis coach Tim Sagasti.
Steve Blackmon '76 Award
Given to a graduating senior of color or under-represented group in good standing with at least two years of participation in a varsity sport, evidence of campus or community service/leadership activities, and evidence of overcoming 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 Nadia Brown (Troy, NY/Troy) from the women's basketball team.
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 by purchasing equipment, team uniforms, organizing team dinners, and transportation. His friendship and interest benefited all student-athletes.
Hanna Lupo, assistant to the head athletic trainer, is the Ross Cordell Award winner. Lupo stepped in to help the Oneonta sports medicine staff for the 2024-25 year and was an essential part of the health and safety of the Red Dragons student-athletes.
Geoff Hassard Commitment Award
This award is given annually to any current student-athlete who exemplifies 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 athletic or academic.
Named in honor of former Sports Information Director Geoffrey Hassard, who spent 23 years serving the athletics department, student-athletes, and the college.
Senior Joseph Campise (Queens, NY/St. Francis Prep) of the men's swimming & diving team was the award winner this year.
Rounding out the awards for the year, the department recognizes the male and female teams with the highest GPAs as recipients of the Jay Pawa Team Academic Award. The award was named in honor of former History professor Jay Pawa, a tremendous supporter of student-athletes during his tenure at the college. The men's and women's cross country teams were recognized for academic excellence this year.
Team Most Valuable Players
Men's Soccer:................................................................................................................................... Ali Somow (Utica, N.Y./Proctor)
Women's Soccer:.................................................................................................................................... Kayla Schwizer (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook)
Field Hockey:...................................................................................................................................... Erin Clark (Somers, N.Y./Somers)
Volleyball:............................................................................................................................................. Abby Stevens (Otisville, NY/Minisink Valley)
Women's Cross Country............................................................................................................ Sabrinna Mena (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East)
Men's Cross Country:.............................................................................................................................. Jonthomas Bierman (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck)
Women's Tennis:..................................................................................................................................... Danielle Copp (Marcellus, N.Y./Marcellus)
Women's Swimming & Diving:.............................................................................................................. Macayla Hodkinson (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage) & Lena Nakken (Islip, NY/Islip)
Men's Swimming & Diving:.................................................................................................................. James Llewellyn (Great River, NY/East Islip)
Women's Indoor Track & Field:............................................................................................... Tarryn Herman (Franklinville, NY/Franklinville)
Men's Indoor Track & Field:............................................................................................... Jonthomas Bierman (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck)
Women's Basketball:................................................................................................................. Amanda Zuntag (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy)
Wrestling:.............................................................................................................................................. Jack Ryan (Trumbull, CT/)
Women's Lacrosse:.............................................................................................................................. Cassidy Moore (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays)
Baseball:........................................................................................................................................................ Ryan Cronin (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa)
Softball:.......................................................................................................................................................... Julia Serena (White Plains, N.Y./Valhalla)
Men's Tennis:........................................................................................................................................ William Schmid (Yonkers/Salesian HS)
Men's Lacrosse:....................................................................................................................................... Jamie O'Neil (Bath, N.Y./Haverling)
Women's Outdoor Track & Field:............................................................................................ Danielle Jackson (Bronx, NY/Central Park East)
Men's Outdoor Track & Field:............................................................................................ Jonthomas Bierman (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck)
