NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College Athletics Department announced its 2022 Leadership, Excellence, Achievement and Determination (L.E.A.D.) Award winners, recognizing various student-athletes, teams and groups for accomplishments during the 2021-22 academic year.
The awards given out included the Club Sports Team of the Year, the Athletics Unsung Hero Award, the Athletics Faculty Member of the Year, the Female and Male Rookie of the Year, Strength and Conditioning Awards, the Athletics Community Service Award, the Academic Teams of the Year, Athletic Director Awards, and the Female and Male Athletes of the Year. Student-athletes were also recognized with the David A. Rafferty III Memorial Award as well as other campus service recognitions.
Club Sports Team of the Year
Award Description: The Club Sports Team of Year is awarded annually to the Merrimack club that has not only achieved success on the playing field but also exhibited a commitment to student-driven leadership through community involvement, successfully working with members of the Merrimack community and positively representing Merrimack College as a whole.
Winner: Men's Ice Hockey
Athletics Unsung Hero Award
Award Description: The Unsung Hero Award goes to an entity who works tirelessly behind the scenes to support Merrimack's student-athletes and exhibits an excellent work ethic and appreciation and pride in being a Warrior.
Winner: Pedro Mercedes Villecia
Pedro Mercedes Villecia as part of the Peace Plus team helped ensure that spaces for our student-athletes, visitors and fans were pristine and continued to be conscious of cleanliness for community safety.
Athletics Faculty Member of the Year
Award Description: The Athletics Faculty Member of the Year is a major supporter of athletics at games, in the classroom and in the community. They are as passionate as the most loyal fan and their positive impact on the athletic department has not gone unnoticed.
Winner: Paul Geresy
Paul Geresy ushered in a new era for Merrimack Athletics as the Director of Bands, bringing the marching band to the turf in their inaugural year in the fall before having the pep band make a big impact on the hardwood and ice. Paul was able to support the band students while teaching jazz and percussion classes throughout the year.
Ultimate Warrior of the Year
Award Description: The Ultimate Warrior of the Year is awarded to the Merrimack student who displays the ultimate dedication to Merrimack Athletics. They are the sixth person on the hardwood, the 12th person on the gridiron and do everything they can in support of the Warriors. You can always find the Ultimate Warrior of the Year in attendance, rooting on our teams.
Winners: Alex Conte and
Cedric Gillette
Male & Female Rookie of the Year
Award Description: The rookie of the year awards are presented to student athletes who are in their first year of college eligibility, who show exceptional athletic ability, are a team player and hard worker, show sportsmanship and coachability, are recognized for their accomplishments by their respective conference and/or other reputable association
Winners: Victor Dawson (football) and Ada Pan (women's golf)
Male & Female Strength and Conditioning Awards
Award Description: The Female and Male Strength and Conditioning Awards recognize varsity student-athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments and their integrity as student-athletes.
Winners: Mirko Nufi (men's soccer) and
Riley Brown (field hockey)
Athletics Community Service Award
Award Description: The Athletics Community Service Award is given to one team that most demonstrated the core ideals of the Augustinian tradition in their endeavors beyond the playing field.
Winner: Men's Lacrosse
Male & Female Academic Teams of the Year
Award Description: The Female and Male Academic Team of the Year Awards are given to a male and female team that has not only played at a high level in their respective sports, but has excelled in the classroom as well.
Winners: Men's Ice Hockey & Women's Golf
Athletic Director Awards
Award Description: These individuals have epitomized what it means to be a student-athlete at Merrimack. He or she works tirelessly on the field, in the weight room, in the classroom and in the community and is a proven leader.
Winners: TJ Corliss (men's cross country/track and field),
Thomas Crowley (baseball),
Cailin Currie (women's swimming),
Maverick Gamble (football),
Devin Jensen (men's basketball),
Jordan Laplume (women's golf), Courtney Maud (women's ice hockey),
Sophie Meyers (women's volleyball),
Jordan Seyfert (men's ice hockey),
Laney Tillman (women's rowing),
Jenna Wike (softball)
Male & Female Athletes of the Year
Award Description: The athlete of the year awards are given to student-athletes who show exceptional athletic ability, are a team player and hard worker, show sportsmanship and coachability, are recognized for their accomplishments by their respective conference and/or other reputable association, and had a major impact on that team's success for the season.
Winners: Max Newton (Men's Ice Hockey) & Meghan Dzialo (Women's Lacrosse)
Campus-Wide Senior Awards
Travis G. Kong Student Leadership Award: Kurtis Stadnicki (Baseball)
Awarded in recognition of outstanding service to the Merrimack College community.
Kurtis Stadnicki was active in using his role on the baseball team to have a strong impact on the community. A two year captain of the baseball team, Kurtis was an active leader in the Student Athlete Advisory Council and an N-E-C All-Rookie honoree. He also spearheads the team's effort for Versus Cancer, which raises money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Kurtis also holds a 3.98 GPA in his pursuit of an engineering degree.
William J. Murray O.S.A. Medal: Rebecca Harty (Women's Soccer)
Presented to seniors who have approximately a 2.5 G.P.A. or better, and are role models for others who through their lifestyles emulate Fr. Murray's concern, open-mindedness and compassion for others and make conscious attempts at social and spiritual growth. Principal consideration for this award should be given to those who are not currently members of the Senior Class Council. The medals will be presented at the LEAD Awards ceremony.
Rebecca Harty was a two-year captain of the women's soccer team, leading by example and with determination every minute she was on the field. Beyond her team, Rebecca was a vocal leader for SAAC and the Athletics Diversity Council.
David A. Rafferty III Memorial Award
Award Description: The Rafferty Award is presented to a graduating senior in recognition of athletic and academic achievement, and leadership within the college community. The Rafferty Award has also served as the athletic department's Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
Winners: Stefano Pesenti (Men's Soccer) and
Kate Mager (Women's Basketball)
Stefano Pesenti was a captain for the men's soccer team and was second on the team in goal and point scoring this season. He was a key offensive contributor in addition to a field marshal for the squad. Two of his goals were game-winning and he notched two goals against Howard. Off the pitch, he was a three-time All-Conference honoree including two First Team recognitions. Academically, he was a two-time N-E-C Commissioner's Honor Roll representative with a GPA over 3.75 for the year.
Kate Mager was a leader on and off the court for women's basketball. In addition to being a captain, she averaged a career high 12.4 points per game while leading the conference with three point percentage and three point average. This season, Mager set the program record for most three pointers in a career. She was also recognized as a Second Team All-Conference honoree and co-women's basketball winter scholar athlete of the year after earning a 3.95 GPA during her time at Merrimack.
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