Seton Hall Hosts Virtual SHUCademy Awards - Seton Hall University Athletics
Seton Hall held its annual awards ceremony virtually, celebrating the best of the best in 2020-21.
shupirates.com
South Orange, N.J. - To close out the 2020-21 academic year, Seton Hall Athletics hosted its SHUCademy Awards virtually through a Microsoft Teams meeting to celebrate the best of the best in 2020-21. Seton Hall assistant strength & conditioning coordinator Angelo Gingerelli hosted the event.
Men's soccer centerback Luca Dahn was named Returning Senior Male Athlete of the Year after starring on the back line of the BIG EAST championship winning Pirates. His work in helping the Pirates allow less than one goal per match and fewer than four shots on goal per contest earned him second-team All-America honors from United Soccer Coaches as well as first-team All-BIG EAST.
Guard Andra Espinoza-Hunter of the women's basketball team was named Returning Senior Female Athlete of the Year after an incredibly impactful season that didn't even start for her until January. She led the BIG EAST in three-pointers made per game and finished fourth in the league in scoring. She was a first-team All-BIG EAST and All-Met selection.
Men's soccer striker CJ Tibbling was named Junior Male Athlete of the Year after an amazing year, finishing fourth in the BIG EAST in goals and scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal in Seton Hall's BIG EAST Championship victory at Georgetown. He was a second-team All-America selection by the United Soccer Coaches and first-team All-BIG EAST.
Kiana Tate of the softball team was named Junior Female Athlete of the Year after leading the team in stolen bases, finishing second in batting average and playing stellar defense at third base.
Men's soccer midfielder James Boote won Sophomore Male Athlete of the Year after dominating in the realm of set pieces and corner kicks. He led the BIG EAST and finished fourth in the nation in assists with nine.
Point guard Lauren Park-Lane of the women's basketball team was named Sophomore Female Athlete of the Year after a huge breakout season that included finishing second in the BIG EAST in assists, sixth in scoring and fifth in free throw shooting. She was named first-team All-BIG EAST and All-Met Writers and also was named BIG EAST Most Improved.
Baseball outfielder Will Gale was named Freshman Male Athlete of the Year after a solid rookie campaign that included finishing third in the BIG EAST in steals and seventh in batting average. He was named second-team All-BIG EAST.
Men's basketball returning senior Myles Cale was bestowed the inaugural Walter Dukes Integrity and Impact Award, which recognizes a student-athlete's work to eliminate social injustice and champion diversity, equity and inclusivity. The award is named in honor of Seton Hall men's basketball's all-time leading rebounder who, as a black man, overcame constant battles with systemic racism to become an NCAA All-American for the Pirates in 1953.
Other winners on the evening included:
Most Valuable Pirate Staff Award
Department of Sports Medicine: Tony Testa, Kaitlin Kelly, Mercedes Cunningham, Deja Craig, Gabe Scher
Iron Pirate Award
Mike Esposito, Baseball
Darby Pandolfo, Softball
Pirate Perseverance Award
Connor Hood, Baseball
Freshman Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Ian Albuquerque, Men's Soccer
Kate Cochran, Women's Cross Country
Madeline Field, Women's Swimming & Diving
Oliwia Kempinski, Tennis
Josie McCartney, Women's Swimming & Diving
Mark Walier, Men's Soccer
Sophomore Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Torre Avitabile, Men's Soccer
Raygan Murray, Volleyball
Junior Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Lizzy Kirk, Women's Soccer
JP Marin, Men's Soccer
Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Andreas Nota, Men's Soccer
Alyssa Reszkowski, Women's Soccer
Team Academic Award (Highest GPA)
Men's Soccer
Volleyball
2020-21 Academic All-Stars (Highest GPA)
Torre Avitabile, Men's Soccer
Cornelia Jerresand, Women's Swimming & Diving
Lizzy Kirk, Women's Soccer
Alex McAuley, Men's Golf
Raygan Murray, Volleyball
Emma Newgarden, Women's Cross Country
Walker Parra, Men's Swimming & Diving
Alyssa Reszkowski, Women's Soccer
Hannes Ronnholmen, Men's Soccer
Lizzie Win, Women's Golf
Sport & Spirituality Award
Emma Newgarden, Women's Cross Country
Breakthrough Athletes of the Year
James Boote, Men's Soccer
Jerry Huntzinger, Baseball
Lauren Park-Lane, Women's Basketball
Game of the Year
Men's Soccer Beats Georgetown to Win BIG EAST Championship
Play of the Year
Andreas Nota's stop & score in penalty kicks to advance Seton Hall Men's Soccer to the NCAA Quarterfinals
Awards Previously Given Out at the Senior Banquet
Senior Male Athlete of the YearSandro Mamukelashvili, Men's Basketball
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Desiree Elmore, Women's Basketball
Most Valuable Pirate
Cristina Fernandez, Women's Cross Country
