Eric Zumpe Named SUNY Scholar Athlete
First wave of inaugural SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards announced
First wave of inaugural SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards announced
ALBANY, N.Y. – More than 20 student-athletes are being honored for combining academic achievement with success in the arena of athletic competition during the inaugural selection of the SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards.
The honors were announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31, by Chancellor John B. King, Jr., from the SUNY System in Albany, N.Y.
The Fall SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards recognized 21 student athletes from SUNY colleges and universities sponsoring intercollegiate athletics at the four- and two-year levels who were nominated and voted upon by representatives of their respective institutions.
Nominating information includes cumulative grade point average, current and career statistics, and athletic and academic honors.
More than 14,000 student-athletes compete at SUNY institutions representing 53 different colleges and universities at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III/USCAA and NJCAA levels and are eligible for the awards.
The four NCAA Division I member institutions that comprise the NCAA Division I Category for the SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards include Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony Brook, while 19 institutions make up the NCAA Division III/USCAA Category and include Alfred State, Brockport, Buffalo State, Canton, Cobleskill, Cortland, Delhi, Farmingdale, Fredonia, Geneseo, Maritime, Morrisville, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam and SUNY Poly.
ESF, the lone four-year SUNY institution sponsoring intercollegiate athletics that is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) instead of the NCAA, participates in the program with the 19 NCAA Division III members for a total of 20 colleges and universities.
The NJCAA Category features the 29 two-year community colleges spread out across the state of New York: Adirondack, Broome, Cayuga, Clinton, Columbia Greene, Corning, Dutchess, Erie, FIT, Finger Lakes, Fulton Montgomery, Genesee, Herkimer, Hudson Valley, Jamestown, Jefferson, Mohawk Valley, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, North Country, Onondaga, Orange, Rockland, Schenectady, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tompkins and Ulster.
The SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards recognized outstanding academic and athletic success in 29 different sports and are presented three times a year to coincide with the specific sports contested in the fall, winter and spring seasons. The Scholar Athletes of the Year in each sport will then be nominated for an overall Scholar Athlete of the Year for men's sports and women's sports in each category that will be announced in mid-July.
The Winter Scholar Athletes of the Year will be announced in April, while the Spring Scholar Athletes of the Year will be presented in June. Student-athletes will receive photo plaques commemorating their accomplishments.
Because sport sponsorship varies among institutions, a minimum sponsorship formula has been developed for award selections. At least three (3) institutions must sponsor the sport in the Division I category, while at least five (5) institutions must sponsor the sport in the SUNY Division III/USCAA and SUNY NJCAA categories.
For sports that do not meet the minimum threshold to be a viable award, an At-Large Category has been developed for each level and each season.
The following student-athletes have been selected the Fall SUNY Scholar Athlete Award winners:
NCAA Division I
Men's Cross Country – Robert Becker, Stony Brook University
https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/mens-cross-country/roster/robert-becker/7948
Becker was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) team after placing in the top 15 at the CAA championship meet. He finished fifth with a final time of 24:38.8 (8K). Becker came in 10th place at the ECAC championship and earned a 20th place finish at the NCAA DI Northeast Regionals. Earlier in the season he won the 2022 Providence Friar Invitational and the Stony Brook Season Opener. Becker holds a 3.78 GPA as a history major.
Women's Cross Country – Aziza Chigatayeva, Binghamton University
https://bubearcats.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/aziza-chigatayeva/15235
Chigatayeva, a graduate student, has a 3.84 GPA in electrical engineering. She was the runner-up at the America East Conference championship meet, earning All-Conference honors. Her second-place finish was the fifth consecutive year she crossed the line in the top five. In 2022, Chigatayeva earned America East Cross Country All-Academic honors for the fourth straight year.
Football – Alex McNulty, University of Buffalo
https://ubbulls.com/sports/football/roster/alex-mcnulty/6314
McNulty graduated in the fall with a 3.72 GPA as a dual major in Biological sciences and physics. He was a four-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) member and was named to the 2022 Academic All-District team. McNulty became the first University of Buffalo (UB) player to be named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022. He was also honored on the All-MAC First Team after making a single-season school-record 24 field goals. McNulty is first in program history in career field goals (49), extra points (163) and points scored by a kicker (310).
Men's Soccer – Jonas Bickus, Stony Brook University
https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/jonas-bickus/7912
Bickus was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) third team after the sophomore led the attack for Stony Brook in 2022 with a team-high and career-best 15 points (six goals and three assists). Bickus also led the team with 33 total shots and 17 shots on goal. He was one of three Seawolves to make 15 starts during the regular season leading his team to two wins with two goals in the 4-1 win over Saint Peter's and one goal in the 2-0 win against the College of Charleston. Bickus is a business management major maintaining a 3.71 GPA.
Women's Soccer – Olivia McKnight, Binghamton University
https://bubearcats.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/olivia-mcknight/15200
McKnight is an English major with a 3.56 GPA in her senior year. She was named the 2022 America East Midfielder of the Year and was honored on the All-Conference first team after leading the Bearcats to a regular season title. She also earned All-Region honors and was a member of the America East Soccer All-Academic Team and All-Championship Team. McKnight finished the 2022 season with eight goals and 20 points.
Women's Volleyball – Anna Sprys, Binghamton University
https://bubearcats.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/anna-sprys/15657
Sprys is a senior accounting major with a 3.82 GPA. She was a 2022 All-Conference middle blocker and a member of the America East Volleyball All-Academic Team. Sprys helped lead the Bearcats to win the America East regular season title and a National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) postseason berth.
At-Large Selection – Alison Smisdom, University at Albany, Field Hockey
https://ualbanysports.com/sports/field-hockey/roster/alison-smisdom/9019
Smisdom is a sophomore maintaining a 3.65 GPA as a business administration major. She was honored on the Dean's List and the America East Academic Honor Roll. In 2022, Smisdom started all 21 games and led her team with 15 goals and 39 points. She was ranked in the top-15 in the nation in goals per game and points per game. In the America East she was third in goals per game (.750), points per game (1.95) and game-winning goals per game (.20). Smisdom was an NFHCA first team All-American, NFHCA Northeast Regional Player of the Year, NFHCA first team All-Northeast Region, America East Midfielder of the Year, America East first team All-Conference, America East All-Academic and named to the America East All-Tournament team.
NCAA Division III/United States Collegiate Athletic Association
Men's Cross Country – Seth Bywater, DUNY Delhi
https://delhibroncos.com/sports/mxc/2022-23/bios/bywater_seth_8epc?view=bio
Bywater has recorded a 3.96 overall GPA in the mechatronics program at Delhi. He placed second overall in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) championships out of a field of 74 runners which placed him on the All-NAC first team. Bywater was the first Bronco to finish at the NCAA Regionals, placing 34th out of 1,672 runners. In 2021, he was the first-ever Delhi NCAA national qualifier in any sport and finished in a time of 25:25.8, which ranks him the fifth fastest 8K runner in the program's history.
Women's Cross Country – Kathleen McCarey, Geneseo
https://geneseoknights.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/kathleen-mccarey/5525
McCarey is a communication and English double major maintaining a 3.85 cumulative GPA. She was recently named the 2022 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Women's Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year for the second-straight year. McCarey was a 2022 Women's Cross Country All-American (10th place at NCAA championships). She was voted the 2022 SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year and was the 2022 Niagara Region champion, finishing the race in 21:56.5. She was also named the 2022-23 Geneseo Presidential Scholar.
Field Hockey – Kacie Simzer, Oswego
https://oswegolakers.com/sports/field-hockey/roster/kacie-simzer/20146
Simzer, a wellness management major with a cumulative GPA of 3.9, was recently named the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Field Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year. She earned a spot on the NFHCA All-Region team by leading Oswego in goals (17) and points (36). Simzer tied the all-time Oswego points and goals record in a single game twice in her senior season. She led the SUNYAC in goals scored (17) as well as point (36) and shots on goal (49). Simzer was second in shots on goal (68) and was third in the conference in game-winning goals (3).
Football – Luke Lodini, Brockport
https://gobrockport.com/sports/football/roster/luke-lodini/13444
In 2022, Londini was named All-Region for the third time in his career. He also collected his third consecutive All-Conference first team honors for the Golden Eagles. Londini was part of an offence that led the conference in total rush attempts, while ranking second in both yards (1,939) and touchdowns (17) on the season. Londini and the offensive line paved the way for an average of 193.9 rushing yards a game this season. Academically, he is maintaining a GPA of 3.84 as a business management major.
Men's Soccer – Tristan Battistoni, Oneonta
https://oneontaathletics.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/tristan-battistoni/13267
Battistoni was the team captain in 2022 where he was named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Men's All-Region first team, the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) All-Conference second team and the SUNYAC All-tournament team. He started all 21 games in 2022 and was part of a backline that limited opponents to 0.86 goals against average with eight shutouts. Battistoni and his team won its 12th overall SUNYAC title and reached the third round of the NCAA tournament. The Red Dragons finished the 2022 season 15-3-3 overall. Battistoni was also recently honored as the SUNYAC Men's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year, he was honored on the SUNYAC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll each season, he is a Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society member and an Omicron Delta Kappa member.
Women's Soccer – Angel Bennett, Geneseo
https://geneseoknights.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/angel-bennett/5354
Bennett was named the 2022 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Women's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year after recording a 3.86 GPA as a Biology major during her senior season with the Knights. She was named to the All-SUNYAC first team after posting nine solo shutouts in addition to two combined shutouts for Geneseo this season. Bennett tallied 53 saves this season and a save percentage of .828. She also made a pair of saves during penalty kicks to help Geneseo secure the championship victory over Cortland to win its 10th overall SUNYAC title.
Women's Volleyball – Emily Haber, Geneseo
https://geneseoknights.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/emily-haber/5437
Haber posted a 3.84 GPA with a major in communication during her senior year. After earning State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-SUNYAC and first team All-Region, she was named an honorable Mention All-American by the AVCA. Haber led the defensive effort for the Knights all season long posting a SUNYAC high 476 digs at a clip of 5.41 per set. She played all 88 sets for Geneseo and eclipsed the 1,000 career dig mark halfway through the season. She will finish her career seventh all-time in career digs and holds the program record for digs in a three-set match with 40 against Elizabethtown in 2021. In addition, Haber tallied 76 assists and a team-high 32 aces.
NJCAA
Men's Cross Country - Eric Zumpe, Hudson Valley Community College
https://www.hvccathletics.com/sports/mxc/2022-23/bios/zumpe_eric_xqir?view=news
Zumpe has a 3.93 overall GPA majoring in construction technology. In 2022 he received All-Conference and All-Region accolades. Zumpe's top times this season include a 28:08 finish at the James Earley Invitational (8K), a second place finish at the conference meet with a time of 28:59 (8K), fifth place at Regionals finishing the 8K course in 28:56 and a time of 28:36 at the NJCAA Nationals (27th place).
Women's Cross Country – Andrea Distefano, Fashion Institute of Technology
https://fittigers.com/sports/cross-country/roster/andrea-distefano/1195
Distefano holds a cumulative GPA of 3.65. She was named to the All-Region Academic team this season. Distefano led her team in 2022 with a 37th place finish at nationals.
Men's Soccer – Kyle Middleton, Herkimer College
https://www.herkimergenerals.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/bios/middleton_kyle_9wxw
Middleton maintains a 4.0 GPA majoring in sports and recreation management. He was named to the 2022 All-Mountain Valley Conference first team and All-Region team after leading his team to the Region III championship and NJCAA semifinal game. Middleton was also honored by the United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division III All-East Region Team and Scholar All-American Team.
Women's Soccer – Kellie Brewer, Genesee Community College
https://geneseeathletics.com/sports/wsoc/2022-23/bios/brewer_kellie_srso
Brewer holds a 3.93 overall GPA. She was named to the first team, All-Conference, All-Region and All-American in 2022. Brewer was also named to the All-Region and NJCAA National All-Tournament teams. She is the Genesee Community College LEADS representative and she volunteers at the Genesee Soccer and Goalie Camps.
Women's Tennis – Devin Rotunno, Fashion Institute of Technology
https://fittigers.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/devin-rotunno/1209
Rotunno maintains a 3.56 overall GPA. She helped lead her team to National Co-Runner Up honors in 2022. Rotunno was recognized on the All-Region Academic team and was named to the 4th singles All-American second team.
Women's Volleyball – Madelyn Avery, Fulton-Montgomery Community College
https://www.fmraidersathletics.com/sports/wvball/2022-23/bios/avery_madelyn_4d1j?view=bio
Avery was selected as a 2022 first-team NJCAA Division III Volleyball All-American. The Lady Raiders finished eighth at the NJCAA championship tournament and won a Region 3 District A Title. Avery finished the season with 316 digs, 238 kills, 58 assists, 86 service aces and 16 blocks. On top of the first team All-American honors, she earned 2022 first team Mountain Valley All-Conference, conference Player of the Year, first team All-Region, Region 3 Player of the Year and NJCAA championship All-Tournament Team. Avery holds a 3.62 overall GPA in general studies.
At-Large Selection – Kristian Hernandez, Nassau Community College, Football
https://nassaulions.com/sports/football/roster/khristan-hernandez/3262
Hernandez was a 2022 first team NJCAA All-American after finishing the season ranked fourth in the country in interceptions (5). He has a 3.64 overall GPA.