NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College Athletics Department announced its 2023 Leadership, Excellence, Achievement and Determination (L.E.A.D.) Award winners, recognizing various student-athletes, teams and groups for accomplishments during the 2022-23 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.
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: Alex Jefferies (Men's Ice Hockey) & Molly Murnane (Women's Soccer / Track & Field)
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: Javon Bennett (Men's Basketball) and Caleigh Christensen (Women's Soccer)
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: Alex Haba (Baseball) and Jayme DeCesare (Women's Basketball)
Campus-Wide Senior Awards
Travis G. Kong Student Leadership Award: Cintia Khouzami (Women's Track & Field), Emma Gorski (Women's Ice Hockey)
Awarded in recognition of outstanding service to the Merrimack College community.
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: Juan Salazar (Sodexo)
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: Andrew Cote
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: Chris Dolan
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: Jordan Seyfert (Men's Ice Hockey) and Bry Michitson (Softball)
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: Women'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 Bowling
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: Ben Brar (Men's Ice Hockey), Morgan Thayer (Dance), Merrimack College Band, Kaylee Thomas (Women's Basketball), Grant Jackson (Football), Jordan McKoy (Men's Basketball), Pedro Mancini (Men's Tennis), Olivia Lampkin (Women's Bowling), Felice Genuario (Men's Soccer), Katelyn Bennett (Field Hockey), Olivia Valdes (Women's Lacrosse), Raice Szott (Women's Ice Hockey)
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: Club Softball
Intramural Participant of the Year
Award Description: The Intramural Participant of the Year is awarded annually to the Merrimack IM participant that has not only achieved success, but also was a regular participant, showed great sportsmanship, and grew the overall intramural experience for the student body.
Winner: Marco LoGrasso
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