By Christian Wagner
Sports Editor
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. For the seniors here at Marywood, this means that they are leaving behind a lifetime of memories to enter the “real world.” This article is dedicated to remembering the seniors from the 2008-2009 year. Most of the information was taken directly from the Marywood Pacers website.
Carly Catalano, a Colts Neck, NJ native, was one of the hardest working members of the women’s volleyball team. The defensive specialist was named to the CSAC Sportsmanship Team.
Natasha Freethy, hailing from Honesdale, was one of the key members on the women’s volleyball team. Freethy was among the top in the team for kills and digs.
Jodi Balch, from Matamoras, PA, was the team’s best player. Balch compiled a 9-3 record and was named to CSAC’s All-Sportsmanship Team.
Ryann Null, a Williamsport, PA native, was part of Marywood’s most successful dual team this year. With fellow senior Balch as her partner, they compiled an 8-4 record.
“Mikhail Attong, from Trinidad and Tobago, was the team captain from 2006-2009, a 4 year starter, MVP sophomore and junior years. He was 2nd team all-conference 2008. He is only the third player in history of program to play 4 years and graduate. He was a great leader who always was focused for every practice and game. He is very technically and tactically gifted player. Will be sorely missed,” said Coach Driscoll.
“Alex Dawson was a captain for 2009. He was a strong leader on and off the field. He is a hard working player that gave 100% during every match,” said Coach Driscoll. Dawson also is a starting defenseman for the Pacers lacrosse team. “Alex has appeared in all 26 games to date, starting in 24 of those. He has tallied 4 goals and 1 assist from his defensive position and gathered 121 groundballs. In his 2 seasons with the lacrosse team, he has helped the Pacers to 10 conference wins, including 2 conference playoff appearances, and 17 total wins,” said Coach Grant.
“Anthony Roma was a 2009 Captain. He had a great attitude and was a leader on the field. He has good size and work ethic. He scored the game winning goal in the first Marywood men’s conference game,” said Coach Driscoll.
“Kristen Powers, “KP,” is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve coached in my nine seasons at Marywood, and I’m glad we could send her out with a conference championship and trip to the NCAA tournament,” said Coach Andrew Smith.
Melissa Kreppel, from East Amherst, NY, was a Second Team All-CSAC and named to CSAC Sportsmanship Team. She was also named to the CSAC Fall All-Academic Team. She finished 9th at the CSAC Championships (5K) with a time of 21:14 and also placed 140th with a time of 25:49 at the NCAA Regional Meet (6K).
John Siddons, the lone male senior cross country member, was named to the CSAC Fall All-Academic Team. He placed 35th at the CSAC Championships (8K) with a time of 31:29. and finished 252nd overall at the NCAA Regional Meet (8K) with a time of 31:42.
Prince Blacknall, the “Prince of Marywood,” was one of driving forces behind the men’s basketball team. He was named CSAC Player of the Week on three occasions (weeks ending November 23, December 21 and January 25). He was named to the CSAC Player of the Week Honor Roll for week ending November 16th. He broke the 1,000 career-point mark on February 9, becoming the seventh player in men’s basketball history to reach the milestone. He was also named the MVP of the Laurel Line tournament and named to the All-Tournament team.
Josh Pena, the “Little Man with the Big Heart,” was the player that was always seen hustling or diving for the ball. His scrappiness and clutch performances will be sorely missed next year.
Caitlin Hadzimichalis, what more can be said about her? The tri-sport athlete in softball, basketball, and field hockey was a key player for each time. Whether it was hustling for a loose ball or beating out a ground ball, it was “Hadz’s” trademark to come through when the team needed her most.
Erica Cook is undoubtedly the Pacers’ softball MVP. She was a Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-East Region First Team at-large selection and was a Co-SIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 2 First Team. She was also All-PAC First Team selection and PAC All-Academic Spring 2008. She set single-season school records for runs scored (47), hits (66), batting average (.524), and owns career Marywood records for hits (170) and batting average (.439) through three seasons.
Mallory Gable, Hughestown, PA native, is Marywood’s top pitcher. In 2008, she led the pitching staff with 21 appearances, 13 starts and 11 complete games. She had one solo shut-out and one combined shut-out. She went 6-9 with a 4.19 ERA. She struck out 74 batters in team-leading 97 innings pitched.
Lauren Monaco, a Carle Place, NY native, appeared in 10 games as a pitcher, starting eight. She had four complete games and a 3-4 record with a 6.28 ERA. She also had one combined shut-out. In 45.2 innings pitched, struck out 15 batters and allowed 41 earned runs.
Pat Diskin is one of the Pacers’ keys for success on the baseball team. The catcher was a PAC All-Academic Spring 2008. Last year, he was third on team with a .375 batting average. He played in 27 games, starting 24. He had 24 hits in 64 at-bats, including two doubles and added 12 RBI.
Korey Evans, the lefty ace for the Pacers’ baseball team, is a team captain and one of the pivotal players for the pitching staff. Evans provides a wealth of knowledge for the underclassmen and sets an example for everyone else on the field.
Matt Newcomb, another one of the baseball team’s captains, appeared in 30 games, starting 29. He had a team-leading 20 RBIs and batted .245 with seven doubles and two homeruns.
Tim Franzone, a Staten Island, NY native, is a doubles master. In 2008, he was All-PAC First Team Doubles and #2 Doubles Champion with partner Joe Listanski. Was 15-0 (7-0 PAC) at #2 doubles with Listanski. Went 9-4 (5-1 PAC) in singles play, with an 8-2 record at #4 singles.
Dan Reynolds, from Downsville, NY, was All-PAC First Team Doubles, #1 doubles champion with partner Kyle McGee. He was All-PAC Second Team Singles, runner-up at #6 singles. He went 14-1 (7-0 PAC) with #1 doubles partner McGee. Also went 1-0 with partner Terry Ryan at #2 doubles. He went 11-5 (5-2 PAC) in singles play and was 8-1 at #6 singles and 2-3 at #5 singles. Also was PAC All-Academic Spring 2008.
Juan Serrano, the West Chester, PA native, went 2-1 in singles play this season.
Jennifer Roslund, from Sussex, NJ, was PAC All-Academic Spring 2008. She appeared in eight games, recording two ground balls and one draw control.
Jacquelyn Swallow, from Richboro, PA, was PAC All-Academic Spring 2008. She appeared in 14 games including 13 as a starter. She scored two goals and added 15 ground balls, six draw controls, and two caused turnovers.
And last but not least, Turner Semrau. “Turner is a senior from Penfield, NY. Over the past 2 seasons, Turner has appeared in 19 games, starting 9 and accumulated 19 groundballs. In that time, he has helped the Pacers to 10 conference wins, including 2 conference playoff appearances, and 17 total wins,” said Coach Grant.
Good luck to all of the seniors, and don’t forget to come back after you’ve graduated to show your Pacer Pride!