St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Hosts 77th Annual Athletic Awards Celebration
5/2/2023 12:30:00 PM | Baseball, Fencing, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Track and Field, Women's Volleyball, Men's Fencing, Women's Fencing
All 17 Red Storm athletics teams gathered to celebrate the year’s accomplishments on Monday night
QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's Athletic Department reflected on a stellar year of accomplishments during its annual awards celebration on Monday night. The 77th edition of the awards banquet commemorated another successful year for the Red Storm both on and off the field of competition.
The evening began with mass led by Campus Minister for Athletics, Fr. Richard Rock C. M. at St. Thomas More Church. Following the mass, Director of Athletics Mike Cragg kicked off the awards celebration with introductory remarks, followed by a greeting from St. John's University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., both addressing the crowd of student-athletes and recognizing the many distinguished guests in attendance.
Following dinner, Co-Masters of Ceremony Senior Deputy Athletic Director Kathleen Meehan and Senior Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes Ray Howell introduced the winners of various team and special recognition awards.
Nine special recognition awards were presented to acknowledge those athletes, coaches and staff members who have gone above and beyond the sport in their most recent season. Additionally, 19 individuals were recognized by their teams and three individuals were celebrated for their accomplishments with the spirit programs.
The Herbert V. Hess Award, which is given to a coach who during the year demonstrates honesty, integrity and concern for his student-athletes, was presented to the Red Storm's Joe Tartamella. Tartamella guided the St. John's women's basketball team to a 23-9 record that included a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. The 11th year head coach also helped the Red Storm to its highest-ranked win in 11 seasons with a 69-64 victory at No. 4/5 UConn on Feb. 21.
The Frank C. Haggerty Memorial Award and the John W. Kaiser Award are presented to the Red Storm's most outstanding male and female student-athletes. Those awards were given to National Champion men's fencer Jan Jurkiewicz and women's basketball standout Jayla Everett.
Co-winners Brandon Knapp of men's soccer and Fares Ferjani of men's fencing, as well as women's basketball's Danielle Patterson earned the Rickard McSwiney Awards for their pride in team achievements, determination as a competitor and their ability to lead.
Women's basketball's Rayven Peeples and baseball's Tyler Roche were presented with the Elizabeth Lapchick Awards, given to the student-athletes that have improved the most academically over the last year.
Esahia Nyiwe of men's basketball was named the John DaSilva Memorial Award recipient, an honor bestowed upon a deserving student-athlete who exhibits courage, persistence and fortitude.
The Dr. Peter Vitulli Award, which is presented to an athlete who demonstrated courage, perseverance, dedication and spirit of self-sacrifice, was given to Emilie Haakansson of women's tennis.
Each year, St. John's celebrates a team manager who has played a significant role for his or her sport. This year's James Kevin Beatty Memorial winner was presented to Ben Sousa for his dedication to the baseball program.
The Walter T. McLaughlin Award, which recognizes unsung staff members for their dedication to the Red Storm's student-athletes, was bestowed upon Senior Deputy Athletic Director Kathleen Meehan. A member of the inaugural women's basketball team at St. John's, the longtime administrator will retire at the end of the school year after nearly five decades of service to the university.
Listed below are the night's award winners:
Team Awards
Christian L. Thomsen Memorial Award: Joel Soriano, Men's Basketball
Victoria Porter MVP Award: Jayla Everett, Women's Basketball
John T. "Doc" Gimmler Golf MVP Award: Peicheng Chen, Men's Golf
Women's Golf MVP: Jessie Kweon, Women's Golf
George Santelli Award: Jan Jurkiewicz, Men's Fencing
Women's Fencing MVP Award: Nicole Gavrilko, Women's Fencing
George Seewagen Memorial Award: Diogo Marques, Men's Tennis
Connie Kaiser Memorial Award: Mouna Bouzgarrou, Women's Tennis
Kenneth F. Perrone Memorial Award: Brandon Knapp, Men's Soccer
Marianne Viscovich-Powderly Memorial Award: Katherine Turner, Women's Soccer
Indoor Track and Field MVP: Tatyana McKenzie, Track and Field
Outdoor Track and Field MVP: Jamora Alves and Tatyana McKenzie, Track and Field
Susan Kearns Memorial Award: Claire Cushing, Cross Country
Dr. Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick, S.C. Award: Rachele Rastelli, Volleyball
Francis A. McCall Memorial Award: Gavin Legg, Lacrosse
Softball MVP: Will be announced following the conclusion of the softball season
Lawrence R. Thomsen Memorial Award*: Joel Soriano, Men's Basketball
Marianne Noonan Memorial Award^: Rayven Peeples, Women's Basketball
The Excalibur Award#: Fares Ferjani, Men's Fencing
Joseph J. Calcagno Award%: Julia Cieslar, Women's Fencing
Kathleen Murphy Meehan Award!: Eleonora Tosi, Volleyball
John Holohan Spirit and Dedication Award: Shane McGovern, Pep Band
Cheerleading Team Spirit and Dedication Award: Kristina Muckle, Cheerleading Team
Dance Team Spirit and Dedication Award: Samantha Visco, Dance Team
* Presented to a member of the Men's Basketball Team who "makes the most improvement athletically during the school year".
^ Presented to a member of the Women's Basketball Team who best exemplifies the unselfish attitude and team spirit of Marianne Noonan, in whose memory the award was established.
# Presented to the St. John's fencer who best exemplifies those qualities of sportsmanship that are traditional with the sport.
% Presented to a member of the Women's Fencing Team who exemplifies the unselfish attitude and team spirit needed for success.
! Presented to a member of the Volleyball Team who exhibits the leadership, integrity, sportsmanship and dedication exemplified by the person for whom the award is named.
Special Recognition Awards
John DaSilva Memorial Award: Esahia Nyiwe, Men's Basketball
Dr. Peter Vitulli Award: Emilie Haakansson, Women's Tennis
James Kevin Beatty Memorial Award: Ben Sousa, Baseball
Herbert V. Hess Award: Joe Tartamella, Women's Basketball
Walter T. McLaughlin Award: Kathleen Meehan
Rickard F. McSwiney Award: Danielle Patterson, Women's Basketball
Rickard F. McSwiney Award: Brandon Knapp, Men's Soccer and Fares Ferjani, Men's Fencing
John W. Kaiser Award: Jayla Everett, Women's Basketball
Frank C. Haggerty Memorial Award: Jan Jurkiewicz, Men's Fencing
Community Service Award: Track and Field/Cross Country
Dr. Michael Pisano Memorial Awards
Vincent Bianchi, Baseball
Sonny Fauci, Baseball
Paul Orbon, Baseball
Jan Jurkiewicz, Men's Fencing
Karol Lademann, Men's Fencing
Melanie Dolgonos, Women's Fencing
Zahida Khan, Women's Fencing
Lily Nguyen, Women's Fencing
Gage Wolfle, Men's Golf
Laia Barro, Women's Golf
Jill Beglin, Women's Golf
Cloe Clocchiatti, Women's Golf
Cameron Bieler, Lacrosse
Benjamin Bishop, Lacrosse
Harrison Bowen, Lacrosse
Ricardo Carreras, Lacrosse
Dante Colaiacovo, Lacrosse
Connor Kalmus, Lacrosse
Kyle Wasilewski, Lacrosse
Atila Ashrafi, Men's Soccer
Anthony Petrucci, Men's Soccer
Jack Russo, Men's Soccer
Tommy Scalici, Men's Soccer
Isabelle Aviza, Women's Soccer
Grace Bernardi, Women's Soccer
Jessica Garziano, Women's Soccer
Natalie Alheidt, Softball
Amy Mallah, Softball
Giuseppe De Camelis, Men's Tennis
Willa Bay Breunich, Women's Tennis
Claire Cushing, Track and Field
Tiffany-Ann Matturro, Track and Field
Mimi Larry, Volleyball
Iliana Rodriguez, Volleyball
Elizabeth Lapchick Award
Tyler Roche, Baseball
Rayven Peeples, Women's Basketball
The evening began with mass led by Campus Minister for Athletics, Fr. Richard Rock C. M. at St. Thomas More Church. Following the mass, Director of Athletics Mike Cragg kicked off the awards celebration with introductory remarks, followed by a greeting from St. John's University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., both addressing the crowd of student-athletes and recognizing the many distinguished guests in attendance.
Following dinner, Co-Masters of Ceremony Senior Deputy Athletic Director Kathleen Meehan and Senior Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes Ray Howell introduced the winners of various team and special recognition awards.
Nine special recognition awards were presented to acknowledge those athletes, coaches and staff members who have gone above and beyond the sport in their most recent season. Additionally, 19 individuals were recognized by their teams and three individuals were celebrated for their accomplishments with the spirit programs.
The Herbert V. Hess Award, which is given to a coach who during the year demonstrates honesty, integrity and concern for his student-athletes, was presented to the Red Storm's Joe Tartamella. Tartamella guided the St. John's women's basketball team to a 23-9 record that included a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. The 11th year head coach also helped the Red Storm to its highest-ranked win in 11 seasons with a 69-64 victory at No. 4/5 UConn on Feb. 21.
The Frank C. Haggerty Memorial Award and the John W. Kaiser Award are presented to the Red Storm's most outstanding male and female student-athletes. Those awards were given to National Champion men's fencer Jan Jurkiewicz and women's basketball standout Jayla Everett.
Co-winners Brandon Knapp of men's soccer and Fares Ferjani of men's fencing, as well as women's basketball's Danielle Patterson earned the Rickard McSwiney Awards for their pride in team achievements, determination as a competitor and their ability to lead.
Women's basketball's Rayven Peeples and baseball's Tyler Roche were presented with the Elizabeth Lapchick Awards, given to the student-athletes that have improved the most academically over the last year.
Esahia Nyiwe of men's basketball was named the John DaSilva Memorial Award recipient, an honor bestowed upon a deserving student-athlete who exhibits courage, persistence and fortitude.
The Dr. Peter Vitulli Award, which is presented to an athlete who demonstrated courage, perseverance, dedication and spirit of self-sacrifice, was given to Emilie Haakansson of women's tennis.
Each year, St. John's celebrates a team manager who has played a significant role for his or her sport. This year's James Kevin Beatty Memorial winner was presented to Ben Sousa for his dedication to the baseball program.
The Walter T. McLaughlin Award, which recognizes unsung staff members for their dedication to the Red Storm's student-athletes, was bestowed upon Senior Deputy Athletic Director Kathleen Meehan. A member of the inaugural women's basketball team at St. John's, the longtime administrator will retire at the end of the school year after nearly five decades of service to the university.
Listed below are the night's award winners:
Team Awards
Christian L. Thomsen Memorial Award: Joel Soriano, Men's Basketball
Victoria Porter MVP Award: Jayla Everett, Women's Basketball
John T. "Doc" Gimmler Golf MVP Award: Peicheng Chen, Men's Golf
Women's Golf MVP: Jessie Kweon, Women's Golf
George Santelli Award: Jan Jurkiewicz, Men's Fencing
Women's Fencing MVP Award: Nicole Gavrilko, Women's Fencing
George Seewagen Memorial Award: Diogo Marques, Men's Tennis
Connie Kaiser Memorial Award: Mouna Bouzgarrou, Women's Tennis
Kenneth F. Perrone Memorial Award: Brandon Knapp, Men's Soccer
Marianne Viscovich-Powderly Memorial Award: Katherine Turner, Women's Soccer
Indoor Track and Field MVP: Tatyana McKenzie, Track and Field
Outdoor Track and Field MVP: Jamora Alves and Tatyana McKenzie, Track and Field
Susan Kearns Memorial Award: Claire Cushing, Cross Country
Dr. Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick, S.C. Award: Rachele Rastelli, Volleyball
Francis A. McCall Memorial Award: Gavin Legg, Lacrosse
Softball MVP: Will be announced following the conclusion of the softball season
Lawrence R. Thomsen Memorial Award*: Joel Soriano, Men's Basketball
Marianne Noonan Memorial Award^: Rayven Peeples, Women's Basketball
The Excalibur Award#: Fares Ferjani, Men's Fencing
Joseph J. Calcagno Award%: Julia Cieslar, Women's Fencing
Kathleen Murphy Meehan Award!: Eleonora Tosi, Volleyball
John Holohan Spirit and Dedication Award: Shane McGovern, Pep Band
Cheerleading Team Spirit and Dedication Award: Kristina Muckle, Cheerleading Team
Dance Team Spirit and Dedication Award: Samantha Visco, Dance Team
* Presented to a member of the Men's Basketball Team who "makes the most improvement athletically during the school year".
^ Presented to a member of the Women's Basketball Team who best exemplifies the unselfish attitude and team spirit of Marianne Noonan, in whose memory the award was established.
# Presented to the St. John's fencer who best exemplifies those qualities of sportsmanship that are traditional with the sport.
% Presented to a member of the Women's Fencing Team who exemplifies the unselfish attitude and team spirit needed for success.
! Presented to a member of the Volleyball Team who exhibits the leadership, integrity, sportsmanship and dedication exemplified by the person for whom the award is named.
Special Recognition Awards
John DaSilva Memorial Award: Esahia Nyiwe, Men's Basketball
Dr. Peter Vitulli Award: Emilie Haakansson, Women's Tennis
James Kevin Beatty Memorial Award: Ben Sousa, Baseball
Herbert V. Hess Award: Joe Tartamella, Women's Basketball
Walter T. McLaughlin Award: Kathleen Meehan
Rickard F. McSwiney Award: Danielle Patterson, Women's Basketball
Rickard F. McSwiney Award: Brandon Knapp, Men's Soccer and Fares Ferjani, Men's Fencing
John W. Kaiser Award: Jayla Everett, Women's Basketball
Frank C. Haggerty Memorial Award: Jan Jurkiewicz, Men's Fencing
Community Service Award: Track and Field/Cross Country
Dr. Michael Pisano Memorial Awards
Vincent Bianchi, Baseball
Sonny Fauci, Baseball
Paul Orbon, Baseball
Jan Jurkiewicz, Men's Fencing
Karol Lademann, Men's Fencing
Melanie Dolgonos, Women's Fencing
Zahida Khan, Women's Fencing
Lily Nguyen, Women's Fencing
Gage Wolfle, Men's Golf
Laia Barro, Women's Golf
Jill Beglin, Women's Golf
Cloe Clocchiatti, Women's Golf
Cameron Bieler, Lacrosse
Benjamin Bishop, Lacrosse
Harrison Bowen, Lacrosse
Ricardo Carreras, Lacrosse
Dante Colaiacovo, Lacrosse
Connor Kalmus, Lacrosse
Kyle Wasilewski, Lacrosse
Atila Ashrafi, Men's Soccer
Anthony Petrucci, Men's Soccer
Jack Russo, Men's Soccer
Tommy Scalici, Men's Soccer
Isabelle Aviza, Women's Soccer
Grace Bernardi, Women's Soccer
Jessica Garziano, Women's Soccer
Natalie Alheidt, Softball
Amy Mallah, Softball
Giuseppe De Camelis, Men's Tennis
Willa Bay Breunich, Women's Tennis
Claire Cushing, Track and Field
Tiffany-Ann Matturro, Track and Field
Mimi Larry, Volleyball
Iliana Rodriguez, Volleyball
Elizabeth Lapchick Award
Tyler Roche, Baseball
Rayven Peeples, Women's Basketball
Players Mentioned
C/UTIL
/ Softball
/ Women's Track and Field
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
INF/P
/ Baseball
GK
/ Men's Lacrosse
DEF
/ Men's Lacrosse
/ Women's Tennis
DEF
/ Men's Lacrosse
/ Women's Tennis
MID
/ Men's Lacrosse
/ Men's Golf
Saber
/ Fencing
/ Women's Golf
MID
/ Men's Lacrosse
/ Women's Track and Field
/ Men's Tennis
Epee
/ Fencing
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
RHP
/ Baseball
Saber
/ Fencing
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Epee
/ Fencing
/ Women's Tennis
Foil
/ Fencing
ATT
/ Men's Lacrosse
Foil
/ Fencing
Midfielder/Defender
/ Men's Soccer
/ Women's Golf
Saber
/ Fencing
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
LSM
/ Men's Lacrosse
UTIL
/ Softball
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Track and Field
/ Women's Track and Field
Saber
/ Fencing
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
OF
/ Baseball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
RH
/ Women's Volleyball
RHP
/ Baseball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
Defender/Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Center
/ Men's Basketball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
MID
/ Men's Lacrosse
/ Men's Golf
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