On Monday night, the Saint Francis University Athletics held its annual Flash Awards, recognizing the department's achievements for the 2023-24 academic year.
The community service award is presented to the group or groups which have dedicated significant time and commitment in performing projects for the benefit of the community.
Nominees: Men's Basketball, Field Hockey, Women's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Women's Swimming
Winner: Field Hockey
| BOB HAHN RED FLASH TEAM OF EXCELLENCE |
The Bob Hahn Red Flash Team of Excellence is awarded to a team or teams that has excelled in areas such as on the field performance, community service, team GPA, support of Red Flash athletic programs, attendance in life skills seminars, and regularly models the eight goals of Franciscan higher education. A team must meet at least four of the six categories in order to be nominated as a Bob Hahn Red Flash Team of Excellence.
Nominees: Field Hockey, Women's Lacrosse, Softball, Men's Soccer, Women's Swimming
Winner: Men's Soccer
Winner: Jayden Ivory, Football
| FEMALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR |
Women's volleyball's Korrin Burns broke the program record with 34 kills against FDU, good for the third most kills in NCAA Division I this season.
Women's cross country's Tesslyn Helms finished second in the Northeast Conference Cross Country Championships to earn All-Conference Honors.
Women's track and field's Marlena Jacobs was named the Most Outstanding Field Performer at the Northeast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, winning the pole vault.
Women's swimming's Nicole López Kohlmann won the 200-yard individual medley at the Northeast Conference Swimming Championships with the fourth fastest time in program history.
Winner: Nicole López Kohlmann, Women's Swimming
| MALE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR |
Men's basketball's Bobby Rosenberger III posted a career-high 21 points and added nine rebounds in a win against LIU.
Football's Nick Whitfield, Jr. threw for 168 yards, two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in a 15-point comeback win against Merrimack in his first collegiate start.
Men's volleyball's Nathan Zini recorded 22 kills in a win against Charleston.
Winner: Nick Whitfield, Jr., Football
| FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR |
Women's basketball's Kendall Carruthers was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-NEC First Team after averaging 14.3 points per game.
Bowling's Jewell Johnson was named to the Northeast Conference All Rookie Team after tallying the fourth highest pin average in the league.
Women's cross country's Anna Quackenbush was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year after placing seventh in the NEC Cross Country Championships.
Softball's Kaylie Walters has broken the program record for steals and ranks among the leaders in both stolen bases and walks in NCAA Division I.
Women's Tennis' Diana Zuba was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year and earned a sport on the All-NEC First Team after leading the NEC in wins with 23.
Winner: Diana Zuba, Women's Tennis
| MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR |
Men's tennis' Tyler Nguyen was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year and to the All-NEC First Team after helping the Red Flash to their first NEC Championship match since 2017.
Men's soccer's Joschi Schelb was named to the Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team and led the only unbeaten team in the nation in points.
Men's basketball's Eli Wilborn was named to the Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team after leading the team with 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Winner: Joschi Schelb, Men's Soccer
| COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR |
Field Hockey – Maria Bettiana Ceretta helped the Red Flash to its best standing in program history with a second-place standing, while reaching these heights without the aid of a true assistant coach and earned NEC Coach of the Year Honors.
Women's Lacrosse – Women's lacrosse returned to the Northeast Conference Tournament for the second straight year, the only two postseason berth's in team history.
Men's and Women's Tennis – Both men's and women's tennis had great seasons. The men advanced to the Northeast Conference Championship match for the first time since 2017 and the women participated in the NEC semifinals. On the men's side, Eric Hovan was named NEC Coach of the Year.
Men's Soccer – Men's soccer did not lose a game this season on its way to the Northeast Conference regular season title and finished as the only unbeaten team in NCAA Division I. Mads Kaiser received NEC Coach of the Year.
Softball – Softball has clinched the regular season title and is 21-0 in Northeast Conference play. The team has won 21 of its last 22 games with the lone loss coming at Penn State in extra innings last week.
Men's Volleyball – For the second-straight season, men's volleyball won the Northeast Conference regular season and advanced to the NEC Championship match. Mike Rumbaugh was named NEC Coach of the Year for the second-straight year.
Winner: Tennis
(Eric Hovan, Phil Palko and Adam Kush)
| FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR |
Women's lacrosse's Taylor Coughlin held nine opponents under 10 goals this season and finished with the second best save percentage in program history.
Women's volleyball's Skye Eicher was named to the All-NEC First Team after leading the NEC in points and kills per set.
Women's soccer Lauren Persichetty was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-ECAC Team.
Softball's Olivia Ulam leads the Northeast Conference in runs, doubles, runs batted in, total bases and has helped the Red Flash to another regular season crown.
Winner: Lauren Persichetty, Women's Soccer
Men's tennis' Alan Gonzalez was named to the Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team and had 20 singles wins this season.
Men's track and field's David Niang won the 60-meter hurdles at the Northeast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships and was named to the All-East Team.
Men's soccer Tom Schellbach was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the All-ECAC Team.
Men's volleyball's Nathan Zini was named the Northeast Conference Player of the Year after ranking second in kills and leading the league in service aces.
Winner: Nathan Zini, Men's Volleyball
| RONALD MUFFIE SCHOLARSHIP |
The Bruno and Lena Degol family foundation endowed this Scholarship on behalf of 1957 Saint Francis graduate Ronald Muffie, who passed away on June 21, 2017. The scholarship will be divided evenly between a male and female athlete who exemplify the spirit and Commitment that Mr. Muffie showed during his time at the University. Candidates for the scholarship must have achieved at least sophomore status and are in good academic standing.
Winners:
Female: Alyssa Delosh, Cheerleading (not pictured)
Male: Nathan Hayes, Men's Volleyball
| FRANK AND MARIE PICARELLA SCHOLARSHIP AWARD |
The Frank and Marie Picarella Scholarship Award is presented annually to a male or female student-athlete who has demonstrated academic and athletic excellence. The recipient must also intend to pursue or is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree at Saint Francis.
Winner: Riley Kromer, Field Hockey
| MIKEY'S HEART AND HUSTLE SCHOLARSHIP |
The Robert Katan family established the annual Mikey's Heart and Hustle Scholarship fund in memory of Michael Katan, son of Anne Marie and Robert Katan. The scholarship is to be given to a student-athlete who demonstrates a desire to achieve, to never give up and to succeed both on and off the field.
Winners: Tesslyn Helms (Cross Country/Track and Field), Nico Nuzzo (Football)
Cheerleading, and Dance Team Spirit Awards: These individuals bring commitment, dedication and passion to all. That is Red Flash Athletics while displaying a sense of pride for being a member of the Saint Francis campus and community.
Winners: Angelina Petro (Cheerleading), Paige Kistner (Dance Team)
| FATHER GABRIEL ZEIS STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD |
The Fr. Gabriel Zeis Student-Athlete Development Leadership Award is presented annually to graduating seniors that meet the following criteria:
Is a member of the student athlete advisory committee (SAAC); And/or a member of the student athlete mentors program; Demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and skills through their involvement in SAAC and/or SAMS; Must be in good academic standing; Must truly represent what being a Saint Francis University student athlete is all about
Winners: Peyton Blain (Men's Volleyball), Savannah Schoonmaker (Women's Soccer), Paige Theobald (Women's Soccer)
| FATHER DAN SINISI RED FLASH INSPIRATIONAL AWARD |
The Fr. Dan Sinisi Red Flash Inspirational Award is presented to the individual or individuals who demonstrated, courage, enthusiasm and dedication while overcoming challenges throughout the year… inspiring teammates, coaches and all who know them.
Winner: Kaitlyn Maxwell, Women's Basketball
| FRANCISCAN ATHLETIC AWARDS |
The Franciscan Athletic Award is presented annually to a senior male and/or female student athlete who demonstrates the eight goals of Franciscan higher education. Saint Francis University and its athletics teams, grateful for the Franciscan heritage of the institution and open to the living spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, strive to incorporate these Franciscan values into their lives as student athletes the eight Franciscan values are: humility
Generosity, reverence, service, respect, prayer, joy, love
Female Winner: Anna Bernasconi, Women's Swimming
A four-year member of the women's swimming team, Bernasconi was a member of the second-place 200-yard freestyle relay and placed seventh in the 100-yard freestyle at NEC Championships this year.
Male Winner: Dallan Schoenberger, Men's Soccer
Schoenberger played in 39 matches with 35 starts and three assists as one of the anchors of the Red Flash men's soccer defense in the last three seasons.
| J. IRVING WHALLEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD |
The J. Irving Whalley Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to the male and/or female senior student-athlete who demonstrates the following criteria: Sportsmanship on and off the field of play, Positive attitude, Community service, Leadership, Serving as a role model for younger student-athletes
Female Winner: Julianna Marshall, Women's Soccer
Along with her time on the soccer field as a goalkeeper, Marshall has served as the Vice President of SAAC and a Student-Athlete Mentor.
Male Winner: David Niang, Men's Track and Field
Niang won the 60-meter hurdles at the Northeast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships and was named to the All-East Team.
| DR. PHILIP BENHAM SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD |
The Scholar-Athlete Award is named the Dr. Philip Benham Scholar-Athlete awards in memory of Phil Benham, who served as Faculty Athletics Representative from 2000-2004. Dr. Benham was a valued member of the university community who made his mark on the athletics program. These awards are presented annually to the male and female senior student-athletes who exhibit excellence in academics and athletics. These individuals have demonstrated the ability to balance these two demands and excel in both areas.
Female Winner: Olivia Muffitt, Field Hockey
Muffitt appeared in 56 matches including 53 starts with 11 goals and three assists for 25 points in her career. She ranked second on the team with four goals and two assists for 10 points in 2023. Majoring in Health Science Physician's Assistant, she boasts a 3.99 grade point average.
Male Winner: Peyton Blain, Men's Volleyball
Blain, a team captain, was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and a spot on the All-NEC Second Team after setting a new program record in 2024 for digs in a single season. Majoring in Accounting/Business, he boasts a 3.93 grade point average.
The Wallace Award is presented annually to the outstanding senior female student-athlete. The award originated with Dr. Dee Wallace and the Wallace family, who saw the growth and achievements of women in athletics and the need to recognize these outstanding achievements at Saint Francis. This award is in special memory of Mary Wallace who was an inspiration to Dr. Wallace's endeavors as an athlete.
Criteria include: Value to team, Athletic ability, Dedication, Attitude, Academic accomplishments, Athletic accomplishments, Sportsmanship
Wallace Award Outstanding Female Student-Athlete: Grace Vesco, Softball
Vesco will go down as one of the greatest players to wear the Red and Black for the softball program. She is the all-time leader in wins and strikeouts and ranks second in innings pitched and third in appearances. A three-time All-Northeast Conference First Team Pitcher, she was the 2021 and 2022 NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player and the 2021 Pitcher of the Year.
| EUGENE AND ROSEMARY TURANO AWARD |
The Eugene and Rosemary Turano Award is presented annually to the outstanding male senior student-athlete. This award has been endowed by Eugene and Rosemary Turano, long-time supporters of Saint Francis University athletics. Gene Turano is a former varsity basketball player and a 1946 graduate of the university.
Criteria include: value to team, Athletic ability, Dedication, Attitude, Academic accomplishments, Athletic accomplishments, Sportsmanship
The 2024 Turano Award Winner: Nickolas Hyde, Track and Field
Hyde is a seven-time All-Northeast Conference First-Team selection in the shot put, the NEC Most Outstanding Performer for the throws for outdoor track and field in 2021 and 2022 and in 2024 for indoor track and field. Hyde won the shot put four times in the indoor season and will be going for his fourth title in the outdoor season next week. He also holds both the indoor and outdoor record for Saint Francis in the event.
