UAlbany's Sean Halpin Finishes Sixth in Men's 1,500-Meter Run at USA Junior Nationals

Des Moines, Iowa - University at Albany's Sean Halpin placed sixth in the men's 1,500-meter run final at the USA Junior National Track & Field Championships on Saturday, June 26 at Drake Stadium.

Halpin, an 18-year-old who just finished his freshman year, hit the tape in 3:53.00 and improved his placing by two positions after running the eighth-fastest time in the second of two heats in yesterday's preliminary round which unexpectedly produced the afternoon's top-10 marks. Princeton's Peter Callahan won the race by finishing in 3:46.42, while Elias Gedyon followed closely behind in 3:47.65.

"Yesterday, the first heat was very slow and I knew that (advancing past) the qualifying round depended on my time," explained Halpin, who changed his approach by staying in the back of the group and passing runners in this evening's race after getting off to a quick start and leading the pack at the beginning of yesterday's qualifying round. "I just made sure I had a good time in yesterday's race. Tonight, I told myself that timing wasn't important and that it was all about running the race and staying in the right position among the other competitors. It feels really good to be named an All-American. This was my goal from the start, and I feel like all of my hard work has paid off."

A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., Halpin qualified for the national event by winning the mile at the Great Dane Classic in 4:08.77 on Jan. 22. He was named the Most Outstanding Male Track Performer of the Meet as well as the America East Conference Male Performer of the Week for his efforts. Halpin was also a key member of several winning relay teams in his first collegiate season. Indoors, he ran a leg for the victorious 4x800-meter relay squad at the IC4A Championship to help the Great Danes clinch the team title for the second straight year. Outdoors, he competed on the first-place 4x800-meter relay at the America East championship meet and earned all-conference laurels.

UAlbany has produced eight junior All-Americans, including Halpin, Tyler Fogarty, John Moore, Joe Greene, Alyssa Lotmore, Ryan Gaedje, Jessica Ortman, and Jenna Ortman, since 2004.

Men's 1,500-Meter Final Results

1. Peter Callahan (Princeton), 3:46.42, 2. Elias Gedyon (Quiet Fire TC), 3:47.65, 3. Darius Terry (Unattached), 3:48.26, 4. Colby Alexander (unattached), 3:50.89. 5. Taylor Monaghan (Oklahoma State) 3:51.59, 6. Sean Halpin (UAlbany) 3:53.00, 7. Zachary Dahleen (Southern Illinois), 3:54.97, 8. Ryan Hagen (Virginia Tech) 3:55.78, 9. Alex Taylor (Appalachian State), 3:58.32, 10. Paul Reilly (Unattached), 3:58.38, 11. Joseph Bubniak (Syracuse), 4:04.76, 12. Jacob Wike (Wichita State), 4:15.82.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Track & Field's Valete Graham Named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team

Towson, Md. - University at Albany's Valete Graham has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's Track & Field and Cross Country third team, as announced on Tuesday, June 22 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The horizontal jumper is the track & field program's second student-athlete to garner the national recognition after distance runner Andy Allstadt was named to the second team four years ago.

Graham, a senior from Bronx, N.Y., graduated with a 3.70 grade point average as a psychology major and was recently honored as UAlbany's 2009-10 Co-Male Athlete of the Year. He made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in outdoor track and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in indoor track. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner as the school's top senior male student-athlete and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

During the outdoor season, Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. The indoor and outdoor team MVP also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham, who was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship, ended his career with a 22nd-place finish in his premier event (24-3) at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East championship is a school record.

Graham was also impressive during his final indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He also led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. UAlbany was the first program to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000, and remains the only America East institution to win the championship. In addition, Graham broke the program standard in the long jump by leaping 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.

UAlbany has placed 12 student-athletes on national Academic All-America teams since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000. Graham is the second Great Dane to be selected this month, as women's lacrosse midfielder Olivia Jarem earned a spot on the at-large second team.

University at Albany's Academic All-Americans (Division I)
Baseball
Eddie Scott (2002, 3rd team)

Football
J.T. Herfurth (2000, 1st team)
Ryan MacLean (2002, 2nd team)
Victor Camacho (2003, 1st team)
David Parks (2003, 2nd team)

Men's Soccer
Stephan Hall (2005, 1st team)
Stephan Hall (2006, 1st team)

Softball
Amber Maisonet (2008, 1st team)

Men's At-Large
Emil Bove (2002, 2nd team, lacrosse)

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Andy Allstadt (2006, 2nd team)
Valete Graham (2010, 3rd team)

Women's At-Large
Olivia Jarem (2010, 2nd team, lacrosse)



Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

UAlbany Volleyball's Laurie Gonzalez Competes on United States Women's A2 Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Laurie Gonzalez, who recently completed her sophomore year with the Great Danes, earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Women's National A2 Red Team at he USA Volleyball Open National Championships held at the Phoenix Convention Center from May 29-June 1.

Gonzalez, a two-time America East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was a member of the 24-player National A2 volleyball program that trained in Tempe, Ariz. from May 24-28. The group was split into two 12-member rosters for the open championships. The A2 Blue Team won the tournament title.

"Playing with the A2 for the second time was even better than the first time," said Gonzalez, who was making her second appearance with the national squad. "I had the opportunity to play with some of the top volleyball players in the nation and compete in a higher level. Its a great educational & competitive experience, it gave me an idea of what it's like in the next level."

The athletes were selected from a group of participants at the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held back in February at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Gonzalez was one of 175 athletes in attendance.

"I had the opportunity to learn new skills that I can bring to my UAlbany team and make us all better," said Gonzalez, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico. "In general, playing with the A2 team is a physical & mental challenge that only made me better. I made new friends, met some amazing people and played some great volleyball."

Gonzalez and the Great Danes will return to action in August. Entering her junior season, Gonzalez will look to lead UAlbany to a third straight America East Conference regular season title. UAlbany finished 22-9 last season with back-to-back undefeated conference records.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Olivia Jarem Selected to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Olivia Jarem has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large second team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday, June 10. Jarem is the first UAlbany lacrosse player in program history to earn Academic All-America recognition.

Jarem has a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in psychology with a minor in education. She recently received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of 13 females honored nationwide, and plans to study sports psychology as a graduate student at Ithaca College. Jarem was the recipient of UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the school's top senior female student-athlete and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. She was chosen to both the District I Women's At-Large and America East Conference Women's Lacrosse all-academic squads.

A senior from Clifton Park, N.Y., Jarem totaled 31 goals and four assists for the nation's second-ranked scoring offense. She finished 10th among the conference leaders in goals. She led the Great Danes to their first-ever top-20 national ranking, a school-record 13-3 season and the program's first America East Conference regular-season title. Jarem tallied two or more goals in 11 contests and posted a .534 shot percentage.

UAlbany has placed eleven student-athletes on national Academic All-America teams since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000. Jarem is the second woman to be selected, as Amber Maisonet made softball's national first team in 2008.

University at Albany's Academic All-Americans (Division I)
Baseball
Eddie Scott (2002, 3rd team)

Football
J.T. Herfurth (2000, 1st team)
Ryan MacLean (2002, 2nd team)
Victor Camacho (2003, 1st team)
David Parks (2003, 2nd team)

Men's Soccer
Stephan Hall (2005, 1st team)
Stephan Hall (2006, 1st team)

Softball
Amber Maisonet (2008, 1st team)

Men's At-Large
Emil Bove (2002, 2nd team, lacrosse)

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Andy Allstadt (2006, 2nd team)

Women's At-Large
Olivia Jarem (2010, 2nd team, lacrosse)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nikki Branchini, Tim Bush & Valete Graham Chosen 2009-10 UAlbany Athletes of the Year

Albany, N.Y. - Nikki Branchini, an All-America lacrosse defender, Tim Bush, an all-conference wide receiver, and Valete Graham, a conference long jump champion, have been selected the University at Albany's 2009-10 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, as announced on Thursday, June 10. The athletes were chosen in voting by the head coaches of the school's Division I 19-sport intercollegiate athletic program.

Branchini, a junior from Guilderland, N.Y., was named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America third team, the first UAlbany player at the Division I level to be selected. She was picked by womenslacrosse.com as the Division I Defender of the Year and made the IWLCA's All-North Region first team. Branchini was chosen America East Conference Player of the Year and made her third consecutive appearance on the all-conference first team. She added 10 goals and three assists in leading the Great Danes to their first-ever America East Conference regular-season title, a school-record 13-3 campaign, and the program's first national top-20 ranking. She ranks among the NCAA national leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg).

A senior from Bronx, N.Y., Graham won his third consecutive America East Conference outdoor long jump championship. He leaped 24-feet, 7.75-inches to become the second athlete in league history to win three titles in a row. He also placed fifth in the triple jump (47-8) as the Great Danes captured their sixth straight America East outdoor title, a conference record. Graham was even more proficient during the indoor season when he led UAlbany to the IC4A and league championships. The Great Danes became the first program to win back-to-back IC4A indoor crowns since 2000. He won the America East indoor long jump and was fourth at the IC4A meet in the same event. Graham, the track program's indoor and outdoor MVP, owns the school's indoor record (24-6.50).

Bush, a senior from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., shares the UAlbany male athlete award with Graham. He was voted first-team All-Northeast Conference for the second consecutive season. He caught 63 passes for 861 yards and three touchdowns, as the Great Danes posted a 7-4 record and finished second in the conference standings. Bush became the first UAlbany player to make 60-plus catches in back-to-back seasons and had four 100-yard receiving games, tying the second-best single-season mark. He hauled in five passes for 101 yards in a 20-16 comeback win over No. 20 Maine. Bush established a school record for career receptions with 147, breaking a standard previously set in 1997, and finished third on the program's all-time receiving yards list with 1,880.

University at Albany Athletes of the Year (Division I)
2009-10: Male: Tim Bush (Football) & Valete Graham (Track & Field), Female: Nikki Branchini (Lacrosse)
2008-09: Male: Joe Greene (Track & Field), Female: Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey)
2007-08: Male: Brian Lillis (Basketball), Female: Amber Maisonet (Softball)
2006-07: Male: Frank Resetarits (Lacrosse) & Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Casey Halloran (Softball)
2005-06: Male: Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball) & Casey Halloran (Softball)
2004-05: Male: Luke Daquino (Lacrosse), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball)
2003-04: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Andee Lindgren (Softball)
2002-03: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Teresa Covert (Track & Field)
2001-02: Male: Chris Phillis (Football), Female: Amy Di Micco (Field Hockey)
2000-01: Male: Michael Oliva (Baseball), Female: Dawn Di Micco (Basketball/Lacrosse)
1999-00: Male: Todd Cetnar (Basketball), Female: Megan Buchanan (Basketball)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Baseball Second Baseman Brian Bullard Named 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

Tucson, Ariz. - University at Albany second baseman Brian Bullard was named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Baseball Team, as announced by the organization on Wednesday afternoon.

Bullard, who started 47 games for the Great Danes this season, was named to the America East Conference Second Team and was an all-rookie selection. He finished second on the team with a .326 average, recording 58 hits, including nine doubles and four home runs. He scored 37 runs and drove in 32 more, while also stealing eight bases on the season.

Bullard, a native of West Nyack, N.Y., was one of nine freshman second basemen from around the nation to be selected to the team.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York Giants and UAlbany Agree on Deal to Hold 2010 NFL Training Camp on Campus

Albany, N.Y. - The New York Giants and the University at Albany jointly announced on Tuesday, June 8 an agreement to hold training camp at the University at Albany this summer. The arrangement also includes a two-year option to have the Giants train on the UAlbany campus through 2012.

With an agreement in place, the New York Giants are traveling to UAlbany for the fifteenth consecutive summer, the longest period at one site in the team's training camp history. The Giants previously spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87. The Giants, who have also trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon, previously worked out at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey prior to their arrival on the UAlbany campus.

"Albany has been an ideal summer home for our football team," said Giants President John Mara. "With the support of President Philip and his predecessors and Mayor Jennings and the rest of the staff at the university, in addition to the great facilities, we have felt for 15 years that starting our season in Albany gives us the best chance to succeed each season."

"I can't say enough about the cooperation we receive from the university and its staff," said Coach Tom Coughlin. "The spirit of a common purpose and objective allows our team to get the work done that is necessary for us to compete at the highest level at the outset of the season. Our coaches and players appreciate the opportunity the University at Albany affords us to be the best we can be."

"We look forward to our continued relationship with the Giants, and to another successful year," said UAlbany President George M. Philip. "Giants summer training camp enriches our campus life and contributes to the vitality of the Capital Region."

"The New York Giants' training camp at UAlbany has become part of the fabric of the Capital Region," said Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "The countless number of fans that live in Upstate New York have an opportunity to watch and interact with players, and, ultimately, form a greater bond with their team. I congratulate the Giants organization and the administration of UAlbany for their continued commitment to our great All-America Capital City."

The Giants have trained on the UAlbany campus, just 2 1/2 hours north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, since 1996. In the 14 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged more than 33,000 fans per summer. The camp attendance mark of 46,960 was established last year, the fourth time figures have surpassed 40,000-plus. One of the fields used is now known as Mara-Tisch Field, and was dedicated on Aug. 16, 2007 in honor of the team's former owners Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch.

In 2010, the Giants begin workouts on Sunday, August 1 with a single afternoon practice at 3:15 p.m. The three-week camp concludes on August 20. Giants training camp will feature five evening practices. The first night practice is slated for Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6:05 p.m. All five sessions are preceded by a morning workout at 8:35 a.m. The other day-night workouts are scheduled for August 7, 9, 11 and 13. The entire training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

As has been the routine in previous camps, the Giants will not practice on the days following preseason games. On the day before a preseason game, the team will hold a one-hour jog-thru session. The Giants will practice 16 days on campus, including seven double sessions.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Dave Brock Selected By Toronto in Sixth Round of Major League Lacrosse Draft

New Haven, Conn. - University at Albany's Dave Brock was taken in the sixth round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Toronto Nationals on Sunday, June 6. Brock, the 36th overall selection, becomes the sixth player in the UAlbany program's history to be chosen in the MLL Draft.

Brock, who played both attackman and midfielder in his two-year career with the Great Danes, earned second-team All-America East Conference recognition during the 2010 campaign. He was also named to the America East all-championship squad after leading his team to the conference tournament final. Brock ranked sixth in the conference in goals (2.12 pg) and 10th in scoring at 2.50 points per game.

Brock, who shared the team's MVP award with defenseman Mark Kelly, led UAlbany in scoring with 34 goals and six assists, plus had a .301 shooting percentage and 37 ground balls. A native of Burlington, Ontario, Brock netted three or more goals six times as a senior, including a career-high four against league opponents Hartford and UMBC. He accounted for a career-best four points against five opponents.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's John Fallon Field will host a Major League Lacrosse regular-season game between the Chicago Machine and the Long Island Lizards on Saturday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for Saturday's game between the Machine and Lizards are available by contacting the MLL office at (866) MLL-TIXX or by visiting majorleaguelacrosse.com/buytickets/.

UAlbany's Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft Selections
Frank Resetarits (2007 MLL, Long Island-3rd)
Jordan Levine (2008 MLL, New Jersey-1st)
Brett Queener (2008 MLL, Rochester-5th)
Corey Small (2009 MLL, Toronto-3rd)
Chris Schongar (2009 MLL, Toronto-5th)
Dave Brock (2010 MLL, Toronto-6th)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Field Hockey Coach Phil Sykes Announces Three Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head field hockey coach Phil Sykes announced today that three student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Corrine McConville, Samantha Rimback and Daphne Voormolen have all signed National Letters of Intent.

McConville will be the fourth member of the UAlbany squad from Lehighton High School in Pennsylvania. McConville was the Mountain Valley Conference's Most Valuable Player in 2009 after leading the Indians to the conference, district and state championships. Lehighton claimed the conference and district titles three out of McConville's four years on the team, and the midfielder earned all-conference first-team honors in each of those three seasons. A two-time all-state first-team member and was an all-region selection as a junior and senior, she earned All-America status in 2009. A two-time team MVP, McConville was the Times News Player of the Year as a senior and was also a player of the week for two local news organizations.

Rimback, a goalkeeper from Washington, N.J. was a three-year letterwinner at Warren Hills High School. She helped lead the Streaks to their first Tri-County Tournament title and the first Skylands Conference championship since 2001. Rimback was a member of the 2009 squad that won the New Jersey Group III North II sectional title after posting a record-breaking 22-win season. As a senior, Rimback made 16 saves in the Streaks' first New Jersey State Final appearance since 2003. Rimback recorded 338 career saves with an .820 save percentage. She was an all-conference first-team selection, as well as earning All-West Jersey and North Jersey second-team accolades. Rimback, who was also a member of the Edge Field Hockey Club, where she won a National Indoor Tournament Title, was an All-Warren County honoree and was named to the All-Group III Third Team.

Voormolen is a forward from Rotterdam, Netherlands. She has been a member of Rotterdam's top club level team the past three years and has helped guide her squad to three straight national championships, including the 2007-08 finals. From 2004-07, Voormolen was a member of Rotterdam's second team, which won both an indoor and outdoor championships. Voormolen, who has been playing field hockey since the age of nine, accompanied her team on a training trip to Madrid, Spain, in February 2010.

"We are very excited about our 2010 incoming class," said head coach Phil Sykes, who has led UAlbany to back-to-back America East Conference regular-season titles. "We are returning a very seasoned team and this class will add a great deal to it. Our offense and midfield will get a nice boost of speed, goal scoring ability and dynamic skills. And our defense will add some quality goalkeeping depth. This coming season looks very promising."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Track & Field's Valete Graham Voted to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I Team

Philadelphia, Pa. - University at Albany's Valete Graham has been named to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Men's Track & Field Team, as announced on Thursday, June 3 by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Graham, who helped UAlbany capture eight America East Conference championships and three IC4A crowns over the last four years, was chosen to the all-district first team for the second straight season.

Graham, a senior horizontal jumper from Bronx, N.Y., graduated with a 3.70 grade point average as a psychology major. He made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year outdoors and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year indoors. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

During the outdoor season, Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second student-athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. He also became the first UAlbany student-athlete to claim three straight crowns in an individual event at the championship. He also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham who was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship and ended his career with a 22nd-place finish in his premier event (24-3) at last week's NCAA East Preliminary Round. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East meet is a school record.

Graham was as equally impressive during his final indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He also led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. UAlbany was the first program to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000, and remains the only America East institution to win the championship. In addition, he broke the program standard in the long jump with a first-place mark of 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Nicole Kothe and Gina Mason Garner America East Softball All-Academic Team Laurels

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Nicole Kothe and Gina Mason were named to the America East Conference All-Academic Softball Team, as announced on Wednesday, June 2 by the conference office. Both student-athletes, who are members of the America East Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and the UAlbany Athletic Director's Honor Roll, helped the Great Danes advance to the America East Tournament for the ninth season in a row.

Kothe, a senior psychology major and four-year starting outfielder who graduated with a 3.67 cumulative grade point average, is making her second consecutive appearance on the America East all-academic squad. A three-time NFCA Academic Scholar-Athlete, Kothe made the 2009 and 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team. She carried minors in sociology and education and served on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). A native of Middletown, N.Y., Kothe posted a career batting average of .240 with 113 hits, 50 RBIs, six homers and 72 runs scored. Defensively, she registered a .964 fielding percentage by committing just seven errors in four years.

Mason, a junior first baseman from Sacramento, Calif., has a 3.37 GPA as a journalism major with a minor in communication. She has been a three-year starter at first base and has not missed a start in the last two seasons. An NFCA Scholar-Athlete, Mason was named to the All-America East first team this spring after making the all-conference second team in 2009 and the league's all-rookie squad in 2008. She led the Great Danes in several offensive categories this season, including batting average (.342), home runs (8), RBIs (30), hits (40), runs scored (24), slugging percentage (.607) and on-base percentage (.444). Mason enters her senior campaign ranked on several of the program's top-10 lists, including fourth in career home runs (21), tied for fifth in RBIs (100) and tied for eighth in doubles (25).

To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team's games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse's Kayla Best Will Play in IWLCA All-Star Game; Lindsey Hart Serves as North Head Coach

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Kayla Best has been selected to play in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division I North-South All-Star Game, as announced on Wednesday, June 2 by the IWLCA. UAlbany's Lindsey Hart will serve as head coach of the North squad. The all-star contest will be played at the United Sports Training Center, located in Downingtown, Pa., on Saturday, June 12 at 12 noon.

Best is the second UAlbany player to earn All-America East Conference recognition four times. A senior midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., she was a member of the all-conference first team for the third season in a row. Best, who had 36 goals and five assists, ranked sixth among the America East leaders in goals per game (2.25). She netted three or more goals on six occasions this year and posted a .507 shooting percentage. Best is second on the school's all-time scoring list with 188 points and third in goals with 155. She is also among the program's career top 10 in assists, caused turnovers and draw controls.

Hart was voted the 2010 America East Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Great Danes to their first-ever conference regular-season title and the top seed for the league's postseason tournament. UAlbany established the school's single-season record with a 13-3 mark, went undefeated in America East regular-season play, and was ranked in the IWLCA (#19) and Inside Lacrosse (#17) national polls for the first time in the program's Division I history.

A native of Vineland, Ontario, Hart had seven players chosen to the all-conference team, including the league's player of the year. UAlbany ranked second nationally in scoring (15.1 goals per game), plus fourth in scoring margin and sixth in scoring defense. Hart has a 46-37 career record. Her teams have reached the eight-win mark in all five years under her direction, including this season's school-record total that broke a mark that had stood since 1998. According to the computer rankings, UAlbany was rated fourth among the most improved Division I programs this season.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Volleyball Coach MJ Engstrom Announces Four Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010 Season

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head women's volleyball coach MJ Engstrom announced today that four student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Kaley Jacobson, Lindsey McCloskey, Vanessa Sheffield and Tamara Weems have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Great Danes next year.

A 5-foot-9 setter from Watertown, Wis. and a four-year letterwinner, Jacobson was a two-time captain and was the Public School Athlete of the Year in 2010. Jacobson helped lead Watertown to the Little 10 Conference Championship in 2007 and 2009, and guided the Goslings to the 2007 Wisconsin Division I State Championship in 2007. Jacobson is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Society.

"As a setter, Kaley has a great feel for her hitters, tremendous court sense and is extremely competitive," Engstrom explained. "She's a very exciting player to watch and has the leadership skills required for the setting position."

McCloskey, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, was a three-year letterwinner at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. A senior captain, McCloskey helped guide the Chargers to the CIF Southern Section Championship Quarterfinals in 2007 and the second round in 2009. She was also a captain of the SCVA High Performance Club team in 2009, and played for five years on the TCA SC Volleyball Club. McCloskey, who was also a member of the soccer, basketball, softball and swimming programs, competed in the USA Junior Olympics for five straight years from 2005 to 2009. She was also an ocean lifeguard for the City of Huntington Beach for five years.

"Lindsey has been successful in one of the toughest leagues in the nation," Engstrom said. "I look for her to have an immediate impact in both the front and back row this season."

Sheffield, who committed to the Great Danes during the early signing period in November, is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter hailing from Oswego, N.Y. A two-time team captain, Sheffield was a three-time Section III Class AA All-CNY All-Star and an All-American League first-team selection in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Sheffield, who also played for the Onondaga Storm Volleyball Club, was named the Section III CNYCL American League Player of the Year as a junior and senior and earned All-State Class AA honors in 2009. Also a letterwinner in basketball and track and field, Sheffield was a member of the National Honor Society and was a high honor roll student as a scholar-athlete, posting a 3.70 grade point average.

"Vanessa is an outstanding athlete with huge potential and I'm very happy that we have another New York State player on our roster," Engstrom said.

Weems, a 6-foot middle blocker and middle hitter, is a two-time captain of Bishop McNamara High School in Upper Marlboro, Md. "Tamara is the second player from Bishop McNamara to become a Great Dane," Engstrom state. "She's very quick both laterally and off the floor and we predict will have an immediate impact in the front row."

A four-time letterwinner, Weems finished her career with 447 kills, 114 blocks, 241 digs and 153 service aces. She was the team's most valuable player in 2008 and 2009, and earned Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first team honors in those same seasons. As a junior, Weems was named first-team All-Prince George's County before earning county Player of the Year accolades as a senior. She was also an honorable mention All-WCAC selection and earned all-county second-team honors in 2007.

"I am very excited about the class of 2010 because they have the potential to make significant contributions this season," Engstrom explained. "All four have a tremendous work ethic, are very athletic and have great attitudes."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse's Nikki Branchini on IWLCA All-America Team; First UAlbany Player to Earn Division I Honor

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been selected to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America third team, as announced on Monday, May 31. Branchini is the first UAlbany player to receive All-America recognition in the program's Division I history. The IWLCA will honor the National All-Americans at the IWLCA All-American banquet on June 12, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.

In addition, Branchini was chosen the womenslacrosse.com Division I Defender of the Year and named to website's All-America first team.

Branchini, a junior from Guilderland, N.Y., was voted the 2010 America East Conference Player of the Year after leading the Great Danes to the conference's regular-season title and a school-record 13-win campaign. Am IWLCA first-team All-North region selection, she is among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg).

The defensive midfielder added 10 goals and three assists and had a .476 shot percentage. She established the school's single-season record with 74 draw controls and totaled 31 caused turnovers, the seventh-best mark in program annals. Branchini earned first-team all-conference honors for the third consecutive year.

UAlbany established a school record for most wins in a season with a 13-3 record, breaking a mark that had stood since 1998. The Great Danes achieved their first national ranking in the IWLCA coaches' poll (No. 19) and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll (No. 17).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Jenn Pierson Leads UAlbany Track & Field on Final Day of NCAA East Preliminary Round

Greensboro, N.C. - University at Albany's Jenn Pierson placed fifth in her heat and ran the 12th-fastest time overall in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase to lead her team at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Saturday, May 29 at North Carolina A&T University's Irwin Belk Track. Laura Cummings and Catie Coxon also represented the Great Danes on the final afternoon of the three-day regional meet.

Running in one of the faster heats of the steeplechase, Pierson navigated the track in 10:32.89 and fell just .91 seconds shy of punching her ticket to the NCAA Championships. The top-three finishers in each heat plus the next three-fastest times in the event automatically qualified for the national meet. As a result, Yale's Anne Lovelace, who placed third in the final heat in 10:32.92, made the NCAA Championship field despite running a slower time than Pierson, while Ohio's Jenielle Hunt took the 12th and final qualifying spot by placing fourth in the second heat and just ahead of the UAlbany junior with a mark of 10:31.98.

"I never thought I would make it this far," explained Pierson, who was competing in the steeplechase for the first time at any level this spring and was the America East champion in the event earlier this month. "The steeplechase is a lot harder than it looks, but with constant training through cross country and hurdle work I was able to perform well. It was nerve-wracking with the storm last night which pushed the race back to this morning, but I kept telling myself that I could do it because I have trained hard. I still felt that (all the training and hard work) I did paid off today."

Cummings, who was competing at a qualifying meet for the NCAA Championships for the third straight season in the steeplechase, placed 27th by registering a time of 10:48.45. A transfer from North Carolina, she finished her career as the school's record holder in the event. The senior initially broke the school record with a winning time of 10:33.60 at the 2008 America East meet before finishing 10th at the 2010 ECAC Championship in 10:29.27 to establish the current program standard. She garnered all-conference honors all three years she competed in the event for the Great Danes.

Coxon wrapped up the weekend by placing 11th in the opening flight of the women's discus throw. The sophomore, who increased her personal-best mark by over 18 feet this spring, registered a toss that sailed 139-feet, 6-inches on her final attempt. Coxon earned all-conference accolades for the second consecutive year by winning the event at the America East championship meet this spring and also placed ninth at the ECAC Championship. Her winning throw of 157-3 at the Capital District Classic ranks second on the program's top-10 list.

"This meet was a great conclusion to our season," said associate head coach Craig McVey, who oversees the steeplechasers, distance runners and pole vaulters. "We obviously wanted to see some of our student-athletes advance to the NCAA meet, but we still finished high here and had several strong performances. For Jenn Pierson to come as close as she did by finishing 12th when 12 go (to NCAAs) and not make it because of the way the qualifying works is something that almost never happens. She had never run in the steeple before this spring, so to see her finish where she did was just phenomenal."

Paw Prints: Both the men's and women's steeplechase events were scheduled to start on Friday night, but a severe thunderstorm delayed the races until this morning ... Jenn Pierson came up just short of becoming the first member of the Great Dane women's program to advance to the NCAA Championships since Teresa Covert qualified in the 100-meter high hurdles in 2004 ... She entered the meet ranked 27th in the East Region with a personal-best time of 10:30.30 before running the 12th-fastest time today ... UAlbany had nine student-athletes, which was an America East Conference best, travel to the prestigious meet ... All of them helped UAlbany become the first school to win all four America East track and field championships in the same academic year.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Track & Field's Fogarty, Wills and Adaramola Compete at NCAA East Preliminary Round

Greensboro, N.C. - Junior Tyler Fogarty finished seventh in his heat and 21st overall in the quarterfinal round of the men's 800-meter run to lead the UAlbany track and field teams at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Friday, May 28 at North Carolina A&T University's Irwin Belk Track. Senior captains Freddie Wills and Fey Adaramola also represented the Great Danes on the second day of the regional competition.

Fogarty, who advanced to tonight's quarterfinal of the men's 800 by running a season-best time of 1:49.02 in the first round last night, registered a mark of 1:50.37 in his final race of the spring this evening. An America East champion in the 1,500 earlier this month, Fogarty was making his second straight appearance at an NCAA regional and improved on his 35th-place performance in the event at last year's meet which was also held at Irwin Belk Track.

Adaramola, a transfer from Central Florida, completed her stellar two-year career at UAlbany by placing eighth in her heat of the women's 200-meter dash in 24.50. In addition to helping the women's program win consecutive America East outdoor crowns, the senior captain was a two-time champion in the 100 and claimed the 200 title at the conference meet in 2009. She also anchored three relays which broke school records this spring, including the victorious 4x100-meter relay at the America East meet.

Wills competed in the men's high jump to start the day. The senior failed to clear the opening height of 6-feet, 7-inches. Despite coming up short, Wills finished his prolific career as a four-time America East outdoor champion. He won the long jump in 2006, the triple jump in 2008, the decathlon in 2009 and the high jump in 2010.

Catie Coxon, the America East women's discus throw champion, will represent UAlbany in her premier event tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. In addition, Laura Cummings and Jenn Pierson's 3,000-meter steeplechase race has been delayed due to weather and was not scheduled until later this evening.
Paw Prints: The top-12 finishers in each individual and relay event automatically advance to the NCAA Championships, which will be hosted by the University of Oregon, on June 9-12 ... No at-large bids are being awarded under the NCAA's newly-adopted format this year ... Laura Cummings, Jenn Pierson and Catie Coxon all have an opportunity to become the program's first women in six years to advance to NCAAs ... Teresa Covert, the school's record holder in the 100-meter high hurdles, competed in her premier event at the national meet in 2003 and 2004.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Nikki Branchini & Ashley Ross on IWLCA All-North Region Women's Lacrosse Team

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini and Ashley Ross have been named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-North Region Team, as announced by the association on Friday, May 28. Branchini is the first UAlbany player to earn first-team all-region honors in the program's Division I history. Ross is a second-team all-region selection.

Branchini, a junior defensive midfielder, was voted the 2010 America East Conference Player of the Year after leading the Great Danes to the conference's regular-season title and a school-record 13-win campaign. She is among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg). The Guilderland, N.Y. native, added 10 goals and three assists and had a .476 shot percentage. Branchini, who earned first-team all-conference honors for the third consecutive year, was named to the IWLCA all-region second team last year.

Ross, who hails from Lancaster, Pa., makes her first appearance on the IWLCA all-region squad. She received first-team All-America East Conference recognition in her first year as the program's starting goalkeeper. Ross previously was an all-conference goalie on the school's field hockey team. The senior is fourth nationally in save percentage (.519) and seventh in goals against average (8.11). Ross made double-figure saves against seven opponents, including a career-high 13 in the America East tournament semifinals against UMBC. She was named conference defensive player of the week three times this season.

UAlbany established a school record for most wins in a season with a 13-3 record, breaking a mark that had stood since 1998. The Great Danes achieved their first national ranking in the IWLCA coaches' poll (No. 19) and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll (No. 17).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Kubiak Leads University of Albany Baseball to a 9-6 Win Over Top-Seed Binghamton in America East Championship Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2010

Vestal, N.Y. - UAlbany starter and all-conference first-team honoree Dave Kubiak went eight innings with a career-high 10 strikeouts to lead the Great Danes to a 9-6 win over top-seeded Binghamton in the first round of the America East Conference Baseball Tournament at Varsity Field on Wednesday afternoon. The win marked the first time since 2004 that the four seed defeated the top team in the first game of the tournament.

UAlbany scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to secure the win. Shortstop Kyle Crean led off with a double and came home on an RBI single by Pete DiResta. After a single by Nolan Gaige and a walk issued to Adam Cutspec, all-rookie team member Brian Bullard drove a two-RBI double into right field to give the Great Danes the three-run lead. Reliever Greg Lutton shut down the Binghamton offense to help advance UAlbany in the winners bracket.

Binghamton got on the board first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Jeff Skelhorn-Gross drove an RBI single into centerfield, scoring Corey Taylor. Jeff Abrams followed with a base hit that sent Mike Thompson across home, giving the Bearcats a 2-0 advantage. UAlbany responded with one run in the top of the third, as centerfielder Brendan Rowland drove a triple down the right field line, which scored leadoff hitter Gaige, who reached on a Binghamton throwing error.

The Great Danes added a second run in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Gaige knocked a single through the right side to score Greg Muller, who started off the inning with a base hit up the middle. However, Binghamton took a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Joe Charron drove a double into left field to send two runners home. A UAlbany throwing error allowed Charron to advance to third, and sent the final Bearcat run across home plate.

The Great Danes scored a single run in the sixth before tying it up at 5-5 in the top of the seventh. Third baseman Ralph Rizzo led off the sixth with a double, and was driven in on a two-bagger by Gaige. In the seventh, Rowland smashed his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot to left center. With two outs, Crean tied the game up, hitting a solo homer over the right field fence.

Binghamton (30-19) scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh, while UAlbany knotted the game for the third time in the top of the eighth. Cutspec, who doubled earlier in the inning, came home on a wild pitch to tie the contest at 6-6.

Kubiak scattered seven hits in the win, and was relieved by sophomore lefty Lutton in the ninth. Lutton, an all-conference second-team selection, earned his team-leading third save of the season.

UAlbany (12-38) advances to face third-seeded Stony Brook at 3 p.m. on Thursday.


UAlbany (10-38) 001 101 213 - 9 18 5

Binghamton (30-18) 020 030 100 - 6 8 4


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Baseball Travels to Binghamton for America East Conference Championship

Cambridge, Mass. - The University at Albany baseball team has qualified for the America East Conference Championship for the third time in four years, and will travel to Binghamton as the fourth seed in the 2010 conference postseason tournament. The America East champion receives an automatic NCAA berth.

Binghamton (30-18, AE 21-3) recently wrapped up its fourth straight America East regular-season baseball crown and will host this week's championship as the top seed. The tournament employs a four-team, double elimination format. Maine (34-20, AE 17-7) secured the second seed in its first tournament appearance since 2007, while third-seed Stony Brook (26-25, AE 15-9) rounds out the championship field.

The first game on Wednesday at 11 a.m. will feature the Black Bears and the Seawolves. UAlbany (11-38, AE 10-14) will take on Binghamton, the defending tournament champion, at 3 p.m. in the second game of the day. The Bearcats and Great Danes met to decide the title in last year's final, the second time it had happened over the past three seasons. Binghamton enters the tournament with the nation's longest active win streak of 14 games, and has won the last 18 against conference opponents.

The losers will meet at 11 a.m. the next day in an elimination game, while the winners of the first day's games will meet at 3 p.m. Another elimination game will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday morning for a bid to that afternoon's championship game, with Game 7 being played on Saturday, May 29 at 12 noon, if necessary.

Tickets to each day of the tournament are $7 for adults, $3 for youth 14 and under, and $2 for America East students with the proper ID. Tickets may be purchased day of game at the Frank Pollard Memorial Tennis Gazebo.

-agate-

2010 America East Baseball Championship (Varsity Field, Binghamton University, Vestal, N.Y.)

Double Elimination

Wednesday, May 26

Game 1: #2 Maine vs. #3 Stony Brook, 11 a.m.
Game 2: #1 Binghamton vs. #4 UAlbany, 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 27

Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 11 a.m.
Game 4: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 3 p.m.

Friday, May 28

Game 5: Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4
Game 6: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5

Saturday, May 29

Game 7 (if necessary): Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame to Induct UAlbany's Sauers, Graber & Jordan on June 27

Albany, N.Y. - The Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame will induct a class that includes former University at Albany head coach Richard "Doc" Sauers and a pair of standout UAlbany players, Jason Graber and Lucious Jordan, on Sunday, June 27. Contact Rene M. LeRoux, at 518-877-5170 or jaryla@aol.com, for tickets or more information.

Sauers, one of the winningest coaches in the history of college basketball, led the UAlbany program to 11 NCAA Tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance in 1994, and four NAIA tournaments. His 41-season career at the school ended with his retirement as basketball coach on March 10, 1997. UAlbany also won two Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championships in 1978 and 1989. Sauers, who was chosen the 1985 NCAA Division III Coach of the Year, finished his career with a 702-330 record. He was enshrined into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and became a member of the UAlbany Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

Graber, who played for the Great Danes from 1990-94, earned All-America, All-East and All-ECAC recognition. He is among the school's all-time scorers with 1,608 points, while shooting 56.1 percent from the field and 82.5 percent from the line. He led the 1993-94 squad to a school-record 25-3 campaign and a NCAA Division III Elite Eight appearance. Graber averaged 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds as a senior. A native of Pattersonville, N.Y., Graber earned first-team all-area recognition at Schalmont High School. He was inducted into the UAlbany Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Jordan led the Great Danes to the 2006 America East Conference regular-season and tournament championships. He was named to the all-championship squad after averaging 15.6 points in the postseason. UAlbany went on to make its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance and played a memorable first-round game against Connecticut. As a junior, Jordan averaged 14.8 points when he was named to the all-conference second team. A native of Albany, N.Y., Jordan played at Colonie Central High School where he received second-team all-state and first-team all-area honors.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Dave Kubiak Leads UAlbany Honorees on America East All-Conference Baseball Teams

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Dave Kubiak earned his third straight all-conference honor in leading four Great Danes named to the All-America East Conference Baseball Team, as announced today by the league office. Kubiak, a junior right-handed pitcher, was selected to the first team. Senior Brendan Rowland, sophomore Greg Lutton and freshman Brian Bullard earned spots on the all-conference second team, while Bullard and classmate Nolan Gaige were named to the all-rookie squad.

Kubiak led the Great Danes as the number one starter in the pitching rotation for the second consecutive season. He went 2-5 on the mound in 10 appearances, including three complete games. Kubiak, who posted a staff-best 4.42 ERA on the season, leads the team with 56 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. He recorded the Great Danes' first shutout win since the 2007 season with an 8-0 victory over Hartford. Kubiak was named to the all-conference second team last season, following an all-rookie team appearance in 2008.

Rowland earned his second all-conference honor with an appearance on the second team. A first-team member as a sophomore, Rowland is batting .324 in his final season with the Great Danes, recording a team-leading 57 hits, including 11 doubles and six home runs, and a team-high 36 RBI. He is one of just two players who has started all 49 games this season, and will finish his career ranked on several of UAlbany's career charts. He is currently tied for second all-time in stolen bases after leading the Great Danes with 22 this season, and needs two to take over the top spot.

Lutton makes his first all-conference appearance after transferring to UAlbany from Vermont at the conclusion of last season. Lutton went 2-4 in a team-high 18 appearances, making three starts early in the season before coming out of the bullpen. He earned two saves on the mound, compiling 19 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Bullard earned all-league second team and rookie team honors after making 43 starts at second base as a freshman. He leads the team at the plate, batting .350 on the season with 56 hits, including eight doubles and four home runs, while scoring 36 runs and driving in 30 more.

Gaige joins Bullard on the all-rookie team. He has missed just one start this season, and is third on the team batting .308. Gaige, who saw most of his action in left field, also made four appearances on the mound, including three starts. He has recorded 53 hits on the season, including six doubles and two home runs, and has scored 35 runs with 15 RBI.

UAlbany (11-38, AE 10-14), seeded fourth in the America East Conference Baseball Championship, will take on top-seed and defending champion Binghamton in the first round of play on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

-agate-

2010 America East Baseball All-Conference Teams

First Team: Dave Kubiak, SP, Jr., UAlbany; James Giulietti, SP, Jr., Binghamton; Nick Tropeano, SP, So., Stony Brook; Tyler Johnson, SP, So. Stony Brook; Justin Latta, RP, Sr., Maine; Joe Mercurio, C, Sr., Maine; Dave Ciocchi, 1B, So., Binghamton; Jim Calderone, 2B, Sr., Binghamton; Tony Patane, SS, Sr., Maine; Stephen Marino, 3B, Jr., Stony Brook; Corey Taylor, OF, Jr., Binghamton; Henry Dunn, OF, Jr., Binghamton; Taylor Lewis, OF, So., Maine; William Carmona, DH, Fr., Stony Brook.

Second Team: Mike Augliera, SP, So., Binghamton; Jeff Gibbs, SP, Fr., Maine; AJ Bazdanes, SP, So, Maine; Keith Bilodeau, SP, So., Maine; Greg Lutton, RP, So., UAlbany; Justin Echevarria, C, Sr., Stony Brook; Rob Dyer, 1B, Sr., Stony Brook; Brian Bullard, 2B, Fr., UAlbany; Chad Marshall, SS, Jr., Stony Brook; Mike Thompson, 3B, Fr., Binghamton; Brendan Rowland, OF, Sr., UAlbany; Michael Stephan, OF, Sr. Stony Brook; Pat Cantwell, OF, So., Stony Brook; Joe Charron, Sr., DH, Binghamton.

All-Rookie: Brian Bullard, UAlbany; Nolan Gaige, UAlbany; Jay Lynch, Binghamton; Mike Thompson, Binghamton; Jeff Gibbs, Maine; Tyler Patzalek, Maine; Mike Fransoso, Maine; William Carmona, Stony Brook; Maxx Tissenbaum, Stony Brook; Tanner Nivins, Stony Brook.

Rookie of the Year: William Carmona, Stony Brook

Co-Pitchers of the Year: James Giulietti, Binghamton & Nick Tropeano, Stony Brook

Player of the Year: Corey Taylor, Binghamton

Coach of the Year: Tim Sinicki, Binghamton


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Women's Soccer Announces 2010 Schedule; UNLV/Las Vegas Invitational Starts Season

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head women's soccer coach Mary-Frances Monroe announced on Tuesday, May 25 the school's women's soccer schedule for the 2010 season. The Great Danes will play an 18-match schedule, which includes 10 home dates and an August tournament at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

UAlbany's 10-game non-conference slate begins with UNLV's Las Vegas Invitational. The Great Danes kick things off against the host Rebels on Friday, Aug. 27 and conclude the tournament against Portland State on Sunday, Aug. 29. The Vikings won the Big Sky Conference regular-season title last season before falling to eventual champion Northern Arizona in a shootout in the semifinal round of the league tournament.

The Great Danes will return to the Capital Region to open a four-game homestand, their longest of the season, at Varsity Field. UAlbany hosts Iona in its home opener for the second straight year on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m. The squad continues against two Atlantic 10 Conference opponents it took to overtime last season. UAlbany will look to avenge a loss to Temple when the Owls visit on Friday, Sept. 4, before trying to continue its recent success against Massachusetts on Sunday, Sept. 6. Chelsea DeVerna's first career goal in double overtime propelled her team to a 1-0 victory over the Minutewomen at Rudd Field last year. Syracuse will be the first Big East Conference program to come to campus when the string of home matches concludes on Friday, Sept. 10.

The Great Danes will look to earn their third straight victory over Colgate, which won the Patriot League regular-season and tournament championships last season, when they visit the Raiders on Wednesday, Sept. 15. UAlbany plays its next two matches at home against Manhattan on Friday, Sept. 17 and Central Connecticut State, the 2009 runner-up team in the Northeast Conference, on Sunday, Sept. 19.

After wrapping up non-league play at Bryant on Wednesday, Sept. 22, UAlbany opens America East Conference action by hosting Stony Brook on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. The Great Danes will look to avenge a loss to the Seawolves in the first round of last season's conference tournament. UAlbany also welcomes New Hampshire, UMBC and Vermont to Varsity Field. The first conference road match will take place on Sunday, Oct. 3 against Hartford at 2 p.m. The Great Danes visit Binghamton, Maine and Boston University, the three-time defending conference tournament champion.

The 2009 UAlbany women's soccer team was recognized by Somis Sports as the ninth-most improved Division I program in the nation after posting its highest single-season win total in 21 years with an overall record of 8-10-1. Monroe, who enters her fifth season at the helm of the program, and her assistants were honored as the league's co-coaching staff of the year. Monroe's program returns nine starters and a league-best four players that garnered all-conference laurels in forward Chelsea DeVerna, who was also the America East rookie of the year, midfielders Maggie DeVerna and Rebecca Lee (Bethlehem Central) as well as defender Casey Marks.

**********

2010 University at Albany Women's Soccer Schedule

August - 27 (Fri.), at UNLV#, 10:00; 29 (Sun.), vs. Portland State#, 1:30.

September - 1 (Wed.), Iona, 3:00; 3 (Fri.), Temple, 4:00; 6 (Mon.), Massachusetts, 4:00; 10 (Fri.), Syracuse, 4:00; 15 (Wed.), at Colgate, 7:00; 17 (Fri.), Manhattan, 4:00; 19 (Sun.), Central Connecticut State, 1:00; 22 (Wed.), at Bryant, 4:00; 30 (Thu.), Stony Brook*, 3:00.

October - 3 (Sun.), at Hartford*, 2:00; 7 (Thu.), New Hampshire*, 3:00; 10 (Sun.), at Binghamton*, 2:00; 14 (Thu.), at Maine*, TBA; 17 (Sun.), UMBC*, 1:00; 21 (Thu.), at Boston U.*, 7:00; 24 (Sun.), Vermont*, 2:00.

#Las Vegas Invitational
*America East Conference Opponent
All Times Eastern


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nine UAlbany Track & Field Athletes Earn Berths to NCAA East Preliminary Round

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Laura Cummings, one of the leading competitors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, leads a group of nine track and field athletes who will compete at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on May 27-29. The three-day regional meet will be held at North Carolina A&T State University's Irwin Belk Track in Greensboro, N.C. Five men and four women who helped UAlbany become the first school to capture all four America East Conference men's and women's track and field championships in the same academic year will travel to the regional.

The top-12 finishers in each event will automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship, hosted by the University of Oregon on June 9-12. A total of 48 student-athletes will compete in each individual event, while 24 schools were accepted to run in each relay.

Joining Cummings as qualifiers are Fey Adaramola, Catie Coxon, Wilfredo de Jesus Elias, Tyler Fogarty, Valete Graham, Kadeem Howell, Jenn Pierson and Freddie Wills. Under the newly-adopted regional format by the NCAA, the nine Great Danes qualified for the meet by ranking among the East Region's top-48 declared athletes in their respective events. The region encompasses over 200 schools from universities located east of the Mississippi River and will feature approximately 2,500 student-athletes. In previous years, the NCAA conducted four regional meets that led to the national championship.

Cummings and Pierson have been the America East Conference's premier runners in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase throughout the spring and rank 22nd and 27th, respectively, in the East Region. Cummings, a senior from Bay Shore, N.Y., broke her own school record by placing 10th in 10:29.27 at the ECAC Championship last weekend. She also finished second at this year's America East championships and won the event at the Duke Invitational. Pierson, a native of Brentwood, N.Y. who is competing in the event for the first time at any level this spring, most recently placed 11th behind Cummings in 10:30.30 at ECACs. She also won the individual title at the America East championships in 10:40.46. Cummings and Pierson, along with Coxon, are attempting to become the first UAlbany women to qualify for NCAAs since 2004.

Graham, a three-time America East champion in the long jump, should be primed to advance after coming just one centimeter shy of automatically qualifying for NCAAs in the event last year. The senior's winning leap of 24-7.75 at this year's America East championship has him tied for 29th in the East Region. The native of Bronx, N.Y. also won the event at "The Dogfight," a dual meet against the University of Connecticut, and finished eighth at IC4As. Redshirt freshman Kadeem Howell, a Great Neck, N.Y. native, who placed second behind Graham in the long jump at the America East meet with a mark of 24-1.75, will also compete in the event.

de Jesus Elias and Coxon will represent the Great Danes in throwing events. A native of Arroyo, Puerto Rico, de Jesus Elias recently broke his own school record in the men's hammer throw by placing third with a mark of 201-feet, 11-inches at the IC4A Championship. The toss is 23rd in the region's performance list. The junior also earned all-conference honors for the third straight season by placing third at the America East Championship and won the event at the UMass Nine-Way Meet and the Friendship Meet with the University of Technology of Kingston, Jamaica. Coxon's winning mark of 157-3 in the women's discus throw at the Capital District Classic ranks 46th in the East Region. The Delanson, N.Y. native, was also the America East discus throw champion by registering a toss of 147-11, garnering all-league laurels for the second consecutive year.

Fogarty, a junior who will compete in the men's 800-meter run, owns the 31st best time in the East Region. His top mark of 1:49.40 was registered at the Friendship Meet. The native of Clifton Park, N.Y., also won the event at the UMass Nine-Way Meet in leading the Great Danes to the team title and was the America East 1,500-meter champion.

Senior captains Fey Adaramola and Freddie Wills round out the list of UAlbany competitors and will compete in the women's 200-meter dash and men's high jump, respectively. Adaramola, a native of Bronx, N.Y., placed second in the 200m at the America East Championship in 24.19 seconds and ran a season-best time of 23.94 to advance to the finals at ECACs. She was also the America East 100-meter dash champion for the second straight season. Wills, who hails from Londonderry, N.H., won the conference high jump by clearing 6-9.75, which was a personal best at the America East competition.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Brian Bullard And His Four RBIs Helps Baseball Defeats Hartford, 18-13, in Regular-Season Finale

Albany, N.Y. - Second baseman Brian Bullard recorded three hits and four RBI to lead UAlbany to an 18-13 win over Hartford in the regular-season America East Conference baseball finale on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field. Bullard led five UAlbany players with multiple hits in the game. Prior to the start of the game, the Great Danes honored their two graduating seniors, centerfielder Brendan Rowland and first baseman Pete Eichner.

The top of the lineup led the Great Danes, as the first three hitters all finished the day with three hits. Left fielder Nolan Gaige went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while right fielder Adam Cutspec also scored three runs while driving in two more. Bullard went 3-for-6 with three runs scored in the three-hole. Designated hitter Pete DiResta and shortstop Jeff Welsh also knocked out multiple hits for UAlbany.

Hartford (11-37, AE 5-19) left fielder Matt Walker led the Hawks with two hits and four RBI to go along with four runs scored. Four other Hartford players recorded two hits, including centerfielder Rodger Wilmot, who scored a run and drove in two more. UAlbany outhit Hartford, 17-13, while taking advantage of four Hawk errors.

UAlbany drew 10 walks off four Hartford pitchers, while striking out just five times. Closer Bob Rodgers took the loss for the Hawks after allowing four earned runs in one inning of action on the mound. UAlbany's Travis Wilson earned the win for the Great Danes, scattering just three hits in three and two thirds innings of work.

After a back-and-fourth game, UAlbany took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring six runs off six hits. The Great Danes started off the inning with four consecutive singles before Rogers walked two and hit a batter with the bases loaded to score three of UAlbany's six runs. Catcher Brian Gauthier drove in the final two runs of the inning with a base hit to left, scoring Ralph Rizzo and Diresta.

UAlbany (11-38, AE 10-12) is seeded fourth for the 2010 America East Conference Tournament, which will be hosted by Binghamton starting on Wednesday, May 26. Game times are to be announced.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Women Lacrosse's Olivia Jarem & Nikki Branchini on Women's At-Large District I All-Academic Squad

Providence, R.I. - University at Albany's Olivia Jarem has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Women's At-Large All-District I Academic Team, as chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Jarem, a senior midfielder on the women's lacrosse team, will move on to the national ballot and that all-academic squad will be announced on Thursday, June 10. UAlbany's Nikki Branchini earned second-team District I all-academic recognition.

Jarem has a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in psychology with a minor in education. She recently received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of 13 females honored nationwide, and plans to study sports psychology in graduate school. Jarem was the recipient of UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the school's top senior female student-athlete and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

Jarem totaled 31 goals and four assists for the nation's second-ranked scoring offense. The Clifton Park, N.Y. native, is 10th among the conference leaders in goals. She led the Great Danes to their first-ever top-20 national ranking, a school-record 13-3 campaign and the program's first America East Conference regular-season title. Jarem netted two or more goals in 11 contests and posted a .534 shot percentage.

Branchini, a junior defensive midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., has a 3.81 cumulative GPA in history with a dual minor in education and criminal justice. She joined Jarem on the America East Conference All-Academic Lacrosse Team and received the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award, one of five UAlbany student-athletes chosen.

Branchini, who was named the 2010 America East Conference Player of the Year, made her third consecutive appearance on the all-conference first team. She is among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls (2nd, 4.93 pg), ground balls (6th, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (9th, 2.07 pg). She added 10 goals and three assists.

District I encompasses the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, plus parts of Canada.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nine Home Matches and San Diego Trip Highlight 2010 UAlbany Men's Soccer Schedule

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head men's soccer coach Johan Aarnio announced on Thursday, May 20 the program's schedule for the 2010 season. The Great Danes, who compete in the America East Conference, will play a 16-match schedule, which includes nine home dates at Varsity Field and a September West Coast trip.

UAlbany's nine-game non-conference slate, which includes seven opponents who posted a winning percentage of .500 or better last year, begins on the road at Fairfield on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. The Stags recorded a winning ledger of 9-7-2 in 2009 and advanced to the semifinal round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.

The first of two four-game homestands begins on Saturday, Sept. 4 when the Great Danes host St. Francis, N.Y. at 1 p.m. The Terriers finished second in the Northeast Conference regular-season standings last season before they were upset in the semifinal round of the league tournament. The home stretch continues against NJIT on Wednesday, Sept. 8 and concludes with matches against Colgate on Sunday, Sept. 12 and crosstown-rival Siena on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

The Great Danes will embark on a three-game road trip, its longest of the season, beginning on Saturday, Sept. 18 against Hartwick. The Hawks posted a 10-4-4 ledger last season, falling in the championship game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament to top-ranked Akron by a 2-1 decision. The Great Danes then trek to California to play San Diego on Friday, Sept. 24 and San Diego State on Sunday, Sept. 26. The nationally-ranked Toreros of San Diego made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

After wrapping up non-league play with a home match against Holy Cross on Wednesday, Oct. 4, UAlbany opens up America East Conference action at Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 2. The Great Danes will also match up against New Hampshire, last year's regular-season winner, and Boston University on the road. The squad will play host to four league opponents in a row, beginning with Stony Brook, the reigning tournament champion, on Friday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. Conference foes UMBC, Binghamton and Vermont will also visit Varsity Field.

Aarnio enters his 11th season at the helm of the Great Dane program. He will oversee a club which returns seven starters, headlined by Bo Jelovac, the squad's leading scorer last season, and goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, the team's most valuable player.

**********

2010 University at Albany Men's Soccer Schedule

September - 1 (Wed.), at Fairfield, 7:00; 4 (Sat.), St. Francis, N.Y., 1:00; 8 (Wed.), NJIT, 4:00; 12 (Sun.), Colgate, 1:00; 15 (Wed.), Siena, 4:00; 18 (Sat.), at Hartwick, 7:00; 24 (Fri.), at San Diego, 10:00; 26 (Sun.) at San Diego State, 3:00; 29 (Wed.) Holy Cross, 4:00.

October - 2 (Sat.), at Hartford*, 7:00; 8 (Fri.), Stony Brook*, 3:00; 13 (Wed.), UMBC*, 3:00; 16 (Sat.) Binghamton*, 2:00; 23 (Sat.) Vermont*, 2:00; 27 (Wed.) at New Hampshire*, 2:30; 30 (Sat.) at Boston U.*, TBA.

*America East Conference Opponent
All Times Eastern

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

2010 UAlbany Golf Scholarship Classic - June 7th at the Albany Country Club

The University at Albany Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to present an outstanding golf event to raise funds for our scholarship foundation... The 17th Annual Great Danes Scholarship Golf Classic presented by CL King will be held on Monday, June 7th at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville, N.Y... SEFCU is the dinner sponsor for the 2010 Golf Classic... This year's Golf Classic was expanded to two flights... The first flight of golfers will tee off at 7:30 a.m. with a second flight at 1 p.m.

2010 Golf Tournament Live Auction Items

1. Two tickets to the inaugural game at the *new* Giants Stadium on September 12, 2010 versus the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. As a part of this package, you will also recieve an authentic #10 Giants game jersey, autographed by Eli Manning. (Value: $500)

Opening Bid: $250

2. Two weekly grounds passes to the 2011 U.S. Open, held June 13-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. (Value: $1,200)

Opening Bid: $500

3. The Executive Chef of Bellini's Restaurant will prepare a meal for six people in your home. Food and wine included. (Value: $1,000)

Opening Bid: $500

4. Two tickets to the New York Yankees versus Kansas City Royals game on July 24th, 2010 at 1 p.m. Seats are in Club Access Section 100 at field level. Included is a one-night stay in New York City at the Ritz Carlton on Central Park. (Value: $2,000)

Opening Bid: $1,000

5. Enjoy golf for four at Saratoga National, including carts. Finish off the day with dinner for four at Prime Restaurant. (Value: $1,000)

Opening Bid: $500

6. Superbowl XLII Giants versus Patriots lineup card, autographed by quarterback Eli Manning and head coach Tom Coughlin. (Value: $400)

Opening Bid: $200

7. Golf foursome at Albany Country Club, including carts. (Value: $500)

Opening Bid: $250

8. Admission for two to the New York Buzz versus New York Sportimes World Team Tennis match, featuring John McEnroe, on July 13, 2010 at SEFCU Arena. Includes an invitation for two to the pre-match reception and a photo op with John McEnroe. (Value: $300)

Opening Bid: $100

9. Two season tickets for all home UAlbany football, volleyball, men's and women's basketball and men's and women's lacrosse games. Includes a personalized parking spot in the SEFCU Arena lot. (Value: $400)

Opening Bid: $200



We are also looking to raise $7,500 in support of new construction for the Academic Support Center.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Coach Phil Sykes Announces Women's Field Hockey Schedule for 2010 Season

Albany, N.Y. - Three NCAA Tournament participants and a home tournament highlight the 2010 University at Albany field hockey schedule, as head coach Phil Sykes announced today. UAlbany, who won last year's America East Conference regular-season crown, will have 10 home games, including matchups against Connecticut and Syracuse, a pair of programs who made the 2009 NCAA field.

The Great Danes will kick off the season hosting the Capital Land College Classic, welcoming Virginia Commonwealth, Hofstra and Boston U. for the four-team tournament on August 28-29. UAlbany will continue non-conference play with home games against 2009 Big East Champions Connecticut (Sept. 12), Bryant (Sept. 24) and crosstown-rival Siena (Sept. 28) at Alumni Turf Field. NCAA Tournament participants Syracuse (Oct. 10), which finished 2009 ranked eighth in the nation after falling in the second round of the tournament, and American (Oct. 17) will also make appearances in Albany later in the season.

The Great Danes will face non-conference opponents Bucknell (Sept. 4) and Michigan (Sept. 18) on the road, while also facing Northeast Conference Tournament participant Quinnipiac (Sept. 17) in Ann Arbor. UAlbany also visits Massachusetts on Sept. 26. The Minutewomen wrapped up the 2009 season ranked 19th in the country after an Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament appearance.

UAlbany will kick off America East Conference play on the road at Fairfield (Oct. 2) and also play league foes Vermont (Oct. 16) and New Hampshire (Oct. 30) away from home. Maine visits Alumni Turf Field on Oct. 9, while 2009 America East Tournament champions Boston University will make an appearance on the UAlbany campus on Oct. 24.

UAlbany finished the 2009 season ranked 18th in the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Coaches' Poll after winning its second straight America East regular-season title. The Great Danes return last season's conference defensive player of the year Suzy Clephane, and five all-rookie team members, led by Taylor Luke. Clephane and Luke anchored a UAlbany defense that led all Division I teams with a 0.56 goals against average.

Sykes repeated as the conference's coach of the year after guiding UAlbany to a 12-4 overall record and a national ranking as high as 16th during the regular season. The Great Danes were ranked for seven consecutive weeks, and were the lone undefeated team in the conference until the final game of the season. UAlbany earned the right to host the America East Conference Field Hockey Championship for the second straight year.

-agate-

2010 University at Albany Field Hockey Schedule

August: 28 (Sat.) Virginia Commonwealth+, 12 p.m.; 29 (Sun.) Hofstra+, 12 p.m.

September: 4 (Sat.) at Bucknell, 1 p.m.; 12 (Sun.) Connecticut, 2 p.m.; 17 (Fri.) Quinnipiac++, 1 p.m.; 18 (Sat.) at Michigan, 10 a.m.; 20 (Mon.) at St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.; 24 (Fri.) Bryant, 3 p.m.; 26 (Sun.) at Massachusetts, 1 p.m.; 28 (Tue.) Siena, 4 p.m.

October: 2 (Sat.) at Fairfield*, 2 p.m.; 3 (Sun.) at Providence, 2 p.m.; 9 (Sat.) Maine*, 4 p.m.; 10 (Sun.) Syracuse, 2 p.m.; 16 (Sat.) at Vermont*, 2 p.m.; 17 (Sun.) American, 3 p.m.; 24 (Sun.) Boston U.*, 3 p.m.; 30 (Sat.) at New Hampshire*, 1 p.m.

* America East Conference Opponent

+ Capital Land College Classic (Albany, N.Y.)

++ Ann Arbor, Mich.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Four Great Danes Earn America East Outdoor Track & Field All-Academic Laurels

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Laura Cummings and Valete Graham headline a list of four Great Danes who were named to the America East Conference Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday, May 18. Cummings and Graham, who are each being honored for the third straight season, were joined by Fey Adaramola and Peter Rowell. The honorees helped UAlbany become the first school to capture all four America East Conference men's and women's track and field championships in the same academic year, including both outdoor team titles for the fourth time in five seasons.

Cummings, a senior middle-distance runner from Bay Shore, N.Y., has a 3.50 cumulative grade point average as an English major with a minor in education. She has been a member of the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Women's All-Academic Track & Field Team, the 2008 and 2009 ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Women's Track and Field Team, the America East Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. The transfer from North Carolina most recently broke her own school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase by registering a 10th-place time of 10:29.27 at the ECAC Championship, breaking her winning mark of 10:33.60 at the 2008 America East meet. She also placed second in the event at the America East championships (10:47.93) to garner all-conference laurels for the third straight year. Cummings, who ranks 22nd in the East Region in the steeplechase, accumulated an additional point by placing eighth in the 1,500-meter run in 4:38.89. Cummings has now made seven America East all-academic squads in the sports of track and field and cross country.

Graham, a senior horizontal jumper from Bronx, N.Y., carries a 3.71 GPA as a psychology major. Graham made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team, the 2009 ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Men's Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year outdoors and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year indoors. In addition, he was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award. Graham won the long jump for the third straight season at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second student-athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. He also became the first UAlbany student-athlete to claim three straight crowns in an individual event at the championship. The senior achieved an additional four points by placing fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Last weekend, he placed eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship. Graham has now made five America East all-academic teams, both indoors and outdoors, in his career.

Adaramola, a short sprinter from Bronx, N.Y., has a 3.34 GPA as a human biology major. She landed on the 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Women's All-Academic Track & Field Team and was named the 2010 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year indoors as well as a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner. A transfer from Central Florida who serves on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Adaramola racked up 18 points individually with ECAC-qualifying times at the America East championship by winning the 100-meter dash in 11.86 seconds and placing second in the 200 in 24.19. The senior captain anchored three relay teams which broke school records this spring, including the winning 4x100 (46.27) and second-place 4x400 (3:45.52) at the America East meet. The 4x200-meter squad she ran on at Penn Relays hit the tape in 1:39.32.

Rowell, a sophomore long sprinter from Scotia, N.Y., has a 3.74 GPA as an accounting major with a minor in business administration. He earned a spot on the 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and the America East all-academic team indoors this past winter. At the America East championship, Rowell placed third in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles by navigating the track in a personal-best time of 53.62 seconds. He also anchored the second-place 4x400-meter relay that hit the tape in 3:13.10. Both marks met IC4A standards.

To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team's games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information