To begin the night, CUNYAC presented the Commissioner’s Cup to the most successful Four-Year and Community College athletic programs for the 2012-2013 academic year. At the Four-Year level, Baruch College took home the crown with 162.5 points. The Bearcats acheived maximum point totals in six sports, two in each season. The Borough of Manhattan Community College Panthers took home the Two-Year title by a narrow four-point margin. Acheiving maximum points in Men's Soccer and Women's Basketball propelled the Panthers to a commanding lead and ultimately, the crown.

The most significant athletic honors were up next with the All-Americans. All-Americans are awarded by the National Committee of each sport. CUNYAC’s count for 2012-13 stands at 10 individuals with 13 honors; however, spring has just begun naming these honorees and there could be more added soon.

The 47 Honorable Mention Scholar-Athletes of the Year were recognized next for their place amongst the best and brightest in the conference with stellar academic and athletic accomplishments. This marked the most honorable mention winners ever by ten students. Their achievements made the selection committee’s decisions a challenging endeavor.

Finally, in honor of the first commissioner of CUNYAC, the Michael Steuerman Awards are CUNYAC's platform to highlight the top four graduating scholar-athletes. Annually, just one male and one female student-athlete from both the community and four-year colleges are honored as the best in the CUNY Athletic Conference. These men and women show us the true meaning of “student-athlete” with their ability to balance commitments in the classroom and on the field of play beyond any ordinary standard. 

JUMP TO THEIR STORIES
Anton Wesener (BMCC), Vlasta Safarova (KCC), Alyssa Lubrino (Baruch), Paul Dedewo (CCNY), Honorable Mentions, All-Americans

Vlasta Safarova, Kingsborough Community College
Community College Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
by Brandon Fieland

Few people get to live out their dreams. Vlasta Safarova is on her way to doing it twice.

Safarova has been a student of Kingsborough Community College since the fall of 2011. The Physical Education major with a 3.96 GPA aspires to be a gym teacher and a volleyball coach after finishing her college education. What makes Safarova unique is that she has already completed a bachelor’s degree and has 6 years of experience teaching physical education and coaching volleyball.

Safarova has dedicated thirteen years of her youth to sports. She graduated from a specialized high school for athletics and then graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education in Azerbaijan. Soon afterwards, she taught physical education and coached volleyball coach for six years.

Safarova eventually immigrated to the United States and continued pursuing her passion, but she would have to start all over. She lacked English language skills, worked many hard hours and almost gotten divorced. Fortunately, that did not stop Safarova from accomplishing her goals. She worked hard to stay grounded by thinking about the positive things in her life despite her struggles.

Her first job in the United States was in a doctor’s office as a secretary. Safarova excelled in this position and thought that this was going to be the profession she would follow. However, it didn’t seem that a career as a medical biller would satisfy her the way the job as a teacher and coach had before. 

Safarova tells a story of a personal reflection. One day, she remembered waking up in the morning and thinking, “You have to go and continue your education. Don’t be scared about your language issues, you’ll be ok, you can do it.”  She turned these thoughts into action, left her job and decided to get an education. She has taken some major steps towards realizing her goal, a goal that she is setting out to accomplish for a second time in her life. 

In 2005, she went back to college and studied ESL, speech and technology courses. Once she had begun her college experience, her professors played a major role in encouraging and motivating her to pursue her career. Safarova’s favorite quote from Og Mandino, one of her instructors is, “Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.”

During her transition to the United States, Safarova did not participate in athletics. That was until she volleyball coach, Paul Watson and some of the players on the team. After talking to her about the opportunities, she decided to give it a shot. The team took to her quickly giving her the nickname “Mom.” 

Safarova summed up her experience as “great and lovely people that brought us very close to one another….in a short span of time, we had become a real family.”  

On the court, Safarova had an impact on the success of her team and for that, she was awarded to the Women’s Volleyball Region XV All-Star team as well as being a CUNY Athletic Conference All-Star.

This wonderful relationship along with Coach Watson’s strategy led the Wave to a CUNY Championship and third place finish at Regionals. Although she misses competing and winning, she looks forward to coaching a volleyball team of her own.

Vlasta Safarova came to this new country, overcame adversity and after a long lapse of time is finally now back on the path to achieve her dreams, again.

If there is a student-athlete face to CUNYAC, it is Alyssa Lubrino. As an athlete, a scholar, a leader, and a representative, this standout Bearcat has been everything that an outstanding student-athlete should be and then some. 

The Accounting major with an English minor boasted a 3.669 as an undergraduate at Baruch in their honors program. Having transferred a number of credits from high school coursework, Lubrino was able to graduate Cum Laude this past January with a Bachelor’s in Accounting. Jumping right into her graduate work, she is currently pursuing an MBA in Accounting and expects to graduate in January 2014. 

It sounds like the Staten Island native has known what she wants to do and how she was going to get it done for a very long time but if you ask her, she was just like every other freshman.

“Entering Baruch College as a young freshman, my outlook was the same as any other insecure, unsure, scared young adult,” said Lubrino. “I was insecure in my ability, especially joining a competitive honor’s program, unsure of the decisions I made in the past, including the one to attend this college, and scared of what lied ahead.”

Lubrino hadn’t even considered joining a team at Baruch until one day a captain of the Baruch Women’s Swimming and Diving team spoke to her.

“She convinced me that considering my times from high school, I might be a real asset to the growing team here at Baruch College,” Lubrino explained.

During her first year in the Baruch pool, she stood out as an impact swimmer with both CUNYAC and school records in the 50-Yard Freestyle, 100-Yard Freestyle, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, and 400 Freestyle Relay. She was a major component of the squad that won a CUNYAC Championship for the 2009-10 season. Her efforts earned her the 2009-10 CUNYAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Rookie of the Year and gave her an All-Star honor. This success became a motivational factor from then on.

“After the incredible experience of winning the CUNYAC Championship title, I was hooked to the amazing feeling of setting a goal and achieving it. I knew I wanted to not only remain on a team I wasn’t sure of joining just a few months prior, but I wanted to emerge as a leader on the team and in my school.”

With one year under her belt, the excellence continued. Improved times led to new CUNYAC and Baruch records in the relay events as well as another CUNYAC Championship and All-Star nod.

The 2011-12 year came with new responsibilities for Lubrino as she was voted Team Captain, appointed NCAA Division III SAAC Representative for both CUNYAC and the UAA(the partner conference), and secured her first internship with Christopher York, CPA, PFS. It was during this year that she won her first major CUNYAC academic award with a November 2011 Scholar-Athlete of the Month award. In the pool, Baruch’s team took home the CUNYAC title once again with Lubrino setting new conference and school records on her way to securing a third consecutive All-Star accolade. 

Speaking of her leadership qualities, Baruch Swimming and Diving Head Coach Charles Lampasso said “Alyssa’s drive does not begin and end with her, she pushes those around her to be better, to push harder, and to give all they have whether in practice or at meets.”

During the summer of 2012, Lubrino found the time to intern at Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as an Internal Audit Operational Risk Management Analyst where she prepared audit paperwork, tested audits, and provided feedback to the company on said tests.

During her final season, she once again held the titles of Team Captain and NCAA Division III SAAC Representative for both CUNYAC and the UAA. With her leadership and strong swimming, Baruch won the CUNYAC Championship by the largest margin in history. Lubrino set new conference records in several relay events to seal the final All-Star honor.

Throughout Lubrino’s outstanding career, she was a 4-time All-Star and 4-time CUNYAC Champion while remaining undefeated in CUNY dual meets and Championship meets. Academically, she was a 4-time CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete, member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, member of Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society, and spent four years on Baruch’s Dean’s List. 

“In choosing to attend Baruch, to join the swimming team, and to participate in the organizations I have participated in, I began trusting in who I am, my abilities, and my choices, and I was able to accomplish everything that I am so proud of,” said Lubrino when discussing her four years at Baruch.

Outside of swimming and class, she was a member of the Accounting Society and the Vice President of Baruch’s SAAC. Her dedication to service led her to the St. Thomas Swimming Team which is comprised of youngsters in 2nd Grade or below where she is a Volunteer Assistant Coach. She also participated in the 2011 CUNYAC Goodwill Tour to New Orleans. 

Continuing her graduate work while receiving a full-time offer in her field, there is no doubt that Lubrino will be an Alumna to keep your eyes on as she continues on a path she is now more confident in than ever.

Anton Wesener is one of the most balanced Scholar-Athletes in the history of CUNYAC.

On the pitch, Wesener is the leader of the 2012 CUNY champion BMCC Panthers soccer team. He was named a CUNY All-Star his freshman and sophomore years, NJCAA 1st team All-Region both years, 2nd Team All-American his freshman year and 1st team All-American his sophomore year. To top that off, he was named NJCAA Region XV Player of the Year this past season.

All of these athletic accolades are enough to leave anyone impressed. But there is another side to Wesener that is as equally, if not more impressive; his 3.92 GPA.

He is from a small town called Bassano del Grappa, which is about an hour from Venice, Italy. Growing up, Wessener wanted to attend a college in New York as he believed there was a better opportunity for him in America than in Italy.

In January 2010, he came to BMCC having not played soccer in over a year and a half. Admittedly he was out of shape. 

“The pre-season was rough but I started feeling better at the end of the pre-season and there were a lot of older guys that made the game feel easy for me,” said Wesener.

That season he tallied five goals and five assists and earned conference, region and national awards. 

In the spring of 2012 Wesener tore his LCL, which didn’t require surgery, just rest and rehab. This was his first major injury and it took patience and dedication. 

“I injured myself in March and finally came back in September, after missing the 1st game of the season. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to play this season, I was not 100% but little by little I was able to get back to my full capabilities.”

While balancing soccer and school, Wesener has also had a part-time job at a restaurant in Chelsea, where he still works. 

“Being at BMCC has been challenging and rewarding and being able to play football made it even more special,” said Wesener. “But off the pitch I had to juggle work, school and sports, which I feel, are going to benefit me when I finish school and have to balance all that comes with being in the work force.”

Anton is an active member within the BMCC academic community; he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, has made Dean’s list for three consecutive semesters and is a BMCC money works ambassador.

“Anton is what you would call the perfect example of a student-athlete. He achieved so much in the classroom and on the field that there really isn’t much for me to say, his accomplishments speak for themselves,” said his head coach Afrim Lajqi. “He is a positive role model inside and outside the locker room and helped BMCC to tremendous success.”

Anton will graduate from BMCC this spring and is currently deciding between, Columbia University, Manhattan College, Baruch, NJIT and Adelphi University. All are fine academic institutions that will allow him to pursue a Finance degree and also showcase his soccer skills.  

One of the most dominant athletes to ever put on a City College of New York uniform, Paul Dedewo has won three City University of New York Athletic Conference Performer of the Year awards. His dedication to his schoolwork and volunteer work is much more impressive as the 2011 NCAA All-American holds a 3.559 GPA in Advertising and Public Relations.

“City College has a rich academic and athletic history,” said Dedewo, “and I wanted to get the most out of this prestigious university. 

Confident in his ability to shatter school records, Dedewo knew he would leave his mark at CCNY.

“I wanted to make history of my own,” Dedewo said. “I saw that the track and field team here had tons of potential to not only dominate CUNYAC, but also become regular ECAC and NCAA participants.”

His four years at City College have helped shape one of the greatest all-around student-athletes in the school’s rich history.

“These four years competing on the track and field team have been the best four years of my life,” said Dedewo. “I’ve formed deep friendships and have witnessed huge development in myself as an athlete. It’s been such an enormous privilege being here at City College. I’ll remember these years for the rest of my life.”

After receiving the 2009-2010 Men’s Indoor Track and Field CUNYAC Rookie of the Year award, he was named the Outdoor Track and Field Performer of the Year before earning athlete of the year honors in 2010-11 (indoor), 2011 (outdoor) and 2011-12 (indoor). He was named the CUNYAC Championship MVP three times, 2009-10 (indoor), 2010 (outdoor) and 2011-12 (indoor). He has won his event in the CUNYAC Championship 11 times in his career en route to six CUNYAC all-star nods. A 2011 NCAA All-American, where he finished eighth in the nation in the 400m dash, he holds four CCNY records – the 200m, 400m, 500m dashes in indoor track and field and the 400m dash in outdoors. He is a two-time ECAC Champion, finishing tops in the 200m dash and 400m dash in the 2011-12 indoor track and field season.

As great as he is on the field, he is that much more competitive in the classroom, comparing his track and field experience to his classes.

“I try my best to apply the same passion I have on the track to my studies off the track,” Dedewo said. 

“The same intensity I have running on a relay with my teammates I try to translate to working with group members in class. The same laser-sharp focus I have when seeing the finish line in sight is the same way I look at the last few weeks of a semester. The same amount of time I spend developing and sharpening my craft in the hurdles or coming out of the starting blocks in the sprint, I spend on developing my craft as a student.”

His motto has always been, “if I hate losing a race, why would I be okay with not being the best in the classroom?”

Head coach Hugh Reid, who is in his third season as the head coach, says that Dedewo’s dedication on and off the field speaks volumes about his character.

“Dedewo has hosted several tutoring sessions for our team and has been one of the most unselfish athletes I have ever coached. The way he conducts himself on and off the track really is impressive.”

With everything that he does in and out of CCNY, he makes it a priority to give back to the community, both with teammates and with his local organization, a college ministry called Cru.

“We spent our spring break in Haiti and served an orphanage while also completing some maintenance work in a small village called Chambrun,” said Dedewo. “We spent time traveling to tent cities that were formed after the 2010 earthquake.”

In New York City, he is a registered blood donor and donates whole blood every eight weeks while one of his greatest passions has been serving with Here’s Life Inner City/Boxes of Love, which is an organization that sends food and supplies to families in need all-year round. The organization fed 3,600 families in 2012 alone.

He has also volunteered with NYC Relief Bus, which provides the inner-city homeless with free clothing and food, St. Paul’s House, a ministry that provides free breakfast to the homeless every morning, Monday-Friday, and with Don’t Walk By, an annual NYC campaign and rescue mission that seeks to provide food, shelter and medical care to every homeless person in New York City.

His greatest accomplishment? Leading a sports ministry group on campus called Athletes in Action that encourage athletes on campus to play the game with integrity and great sportsmanship on and off the field while also devoting time to help others in the community learn several sports.

“Athletes in Action has grown over the years and includes many of the top athletes in CCNY,” Dedewo said. “We are very grateful to have the ability to help others in the community and it is something that I will continue to do after I am done with my playing days.”

Dedewo was a member of CCNY’s SAAC, was named to the dean’s list in the fall of last year and was the 2012 Group Multicultural Advertising Scholarship winner. His leadership on and off the field is one of the main reasons that the Beavers track squad boasts a high GPA and have won five consecutive CUNYAC Championships (men’s indoor and outdoor).

Emmanuel Adesanlu, Hostos Community College

Men’s Soccer

The Nursing major earned a 3.577 GPA while playing on the Men’s Soccer team. In the 2012 season, Adesanlu made the transition from Goalkeeper to Midfielder, in 12 games he scored 2 goals and added 1 assist to help the Caimans to an 8-4-2 overall record and a second place finish in the CUNY Athletic Conference.

Isaac Agyei, Bronx Community College

Men’s Soccer

Agyei is graduating with his Associate’s Degree in Nursing at Bronx Community College. A second year player, Agyei’s steady and consistent play was a great example for his teammates. In addition to his play on the field, Isaac excelled as a student with an outstanding 3.885 overall GPA. For his efforts, Agyei was named as a CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete in both the Fall of 2011 and 2012. 

Elston Alexis, Medgar Evers College

Men’s Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field

A 4-year Track and Field Athlete, Alexis is a Computer Science major and Computer Information Systems minor with a 3.505 GPA. When Elston is not on the track training, you can find him in the Computer Science Department as a tutor. Alexis is a 4-time Dean’s List Member. The Grenada native, was named Scholar-Athlete of the Month for the CUNYAC in May 2011. The 2012 Medgar Evers College Scholar-Athlete of the Year is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and an IT Coordinator at the college.

Yahiya Bagayoko, Hostos Community College

Men’s Soccer

In two years at Hostos, Bagayoko earned a 3.465 GPA while playing on the Men’s Soccer team. The Business Management major sustained an injury in the 2012 season forcing him to miss some games, but he was still able to score a goal for the Caimans helping them to an 8-4-2 overall record and a second place finish in the CUNY Athletic Conference.

Ravnit Bhatia, Lehman College

Women’s Tennis

Punjabi by birth, Bhatia came to the US in 2006. At Lehman, she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa academic Honor Society as a junior in 2012, and has won numerous science awards. She is a Biochemistry major with a GPA of 3.732. As a student-athlete, Bhatia was 4-7 in singles play in her senior year.

Antonio Bhikham, Queensborough Community College

Men’s Soccer

A two-year member of the Men’s Soccer team, Antonio Bhikham is a dean’s list student majoring in Business Administration. With a 3.87 GPA, Bhikham was named to the Academic All-Region and CUNYAC Fall 2011 and 2012 teams. As a starting defender, he was an integral part of the CUNY Championship team in 2011. Bhikham is the Vice President of the International Student Club and is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He volunteers his time at a summer adult day care as well as at his church during food and clothing drives. Bhikham always displays great sportsmanship, which was recognized when he was awarded to the Region XV All Sportsmanship Team in 2011. 

Lorenzo Brown, Hunter College

Men’s Basketball

Lorenzo Brown served as team captain his senior year, boasting a 3.498 GPA with a major in Psychology. Brown finished his senior year in the top 10 of the rebounding category for CUNY Men’s Basketball, having 78 offensive and 112 defensive. Off the court, Brown is a member of the “Brothers for Excellence” Black Male Initiative Program at Hunter College that offers students in need with academic, financial, and emotional support to help them be successful as students. 

Kathy Chu, Brooklyn College

Women’s Volleyball

Senior Kathy Chu is a four-year member of the Brooklyn College Women’s Volleyball team. The tri-captain, CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award winner, CUNYAC All-Tournament team honoree, and CUNYAC Second Team All-Star is an Exercise Science major with a 3.77 GPA. Off the court, Chu was a Grant Writer for the Brooklyn College Global Medical Brigades effort in Panama during June 2012. Chu has been a mainstay on the Dean’s List and is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. The member of both the Coordinated BA-MD Program, as well as the Scholars Honors Program will be attending SUNY Downstate Medical School in the Fall 2013.

Mollie DeMeio, John Jay College

Women’s Swimming

Maintaining a 3.668 GPA, Mollie is a Political Science major. Prior to joining the women’s swimming team in 2011, Mollie had minimal experience in the pool, but has since improved in leaps and bounds to become a key factor to the team. She improved her 50 yard freestyle time by more than 12 seconds in 2012-13 compared to 2011-12. A five time Dean’s List student, Mollie received the Billie Kotlowitz Incentive Award in 2012 for embodying the mission of John Jay’s Interdisciplinary Studies program. Mollie has also volunteered at the Women’s Center, and with her teammates, has volunteered with the Special Olympics.

Rafael Flores, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Men’s Swimming and Diving

A two-year swimmer, Rafael Flores owns a 3.28 GPS with a major in Science. As a member of the Men’s Swim Team, he won 2 silver medals in each season; he also won gold at the 2012 Northeast District Region. He improved his times by over five seconds. Out of the pool, Flores volunteered to help elect New York county commissioners in local city elections.

Joviette Frederick, York College

Softball, Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field

A three-sport athlete at times during her four-years at York, Frederick has competed in cross country, track and field, and softball. In softball, she has started all four years and has a career batting average near .300. She holds a 3.6 GPA in Health Education and has made the Dean’s List six times.

Kaylee Fry, John Jay College

Softball

A two-year member of the softball program, Fry has maintained a cumulative 3.330 GPA at John Jay. Upon transferring from Raritan Valley Community College, Fry batted .310 with nine doubles, three homeruns, 27 runs batted in and had 49 total bases in 2012. In 2013, she had another great season, batting .429, with five doubles, five homeruns, 24 runs batted in and a .688 slugging percentage. A Forensic Science major, with a minor in Psychology, Kaylee has made the Dean’s List twice. In the community, Kaylee has been active with her teammates, volunteering with Special Olympics and a team walk in a fight for the cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. She is also a team representative in the John Jay SAAC Committee.

Guy Goren, Baruch College

Men’s Tennis

Guy Goren owns a 3.252 GPA with a major in Real Estate Development and minor in Philosophy. As a member of the men’s tennis team, he led the team to the 2012 CUNYAC Championship and second round of the NCAA Tournament. For his efforts, he was named the CUNYAC Player of the Year. Off the court, he serves on the Baruch SAAC Committee.

Lauren Hayden, Baruch College

Women’s Volleyball

A team captain, Lauren Hayden, owns a 3.445 GPA with a major in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. As a member of the Women’s Volleyball Team, Lauren was a part of two CUNYAC Championship teams that played in the NCAA Tournament. She finished as Baruch’s all-time women volleyball leader with 1,114 kills and was a CUNYAC All-Star all four years. In the classroom, she was a Dean’s List Student and a CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete. She served as a volunteer at the 2012 CUNYAC Men’s Volleyball Finals Special Olympics hosted by Hunter College.

Herschel Jenkins, College of Staten Island

Men’s Basketball

If there is a motto that has followed Herschel through his four years at CSI it would be: “Whatever it takes.” His ability to do the little things as well as his defensive presence in the backcourt has provided a nice safety blanket for his coaches to turn to, and his coaches never waver when they include him as one of the vital keys to the puzzle in winning back-to-back CUNYAC titles. Away from the court, the Mathematics major is a three time member of the AD / SAAC Honor Roll and a CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete and has a 3.631 GPA. He was also a part of the CUNYAC Goodwill Tour that represented the conference in Katrina ravaged New Orleans a couple of years ago. His dedication to service has helped CSI and the surrounding areas immensely.

Qudus Kassim, York College

Men’s Soccer

An accounting major and three-year goalie for the York men’s soccer team, Kassim holds a 3.57 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List five times. He prepares taxes for free as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Association program and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Khalid Yousef, Hostos Community College

Men’s Basketball

In two years at Hostos, earned a 3.468 GPA with a major in Liberal Arts. While playing on the Men’s Basketball team, Yousef finished the 2012-13 season averaging 3 points per game, shooting 35% in field goals and 67% from the free throw line, helping the Caimans to the best record in the CUNY Athletic Conference.

Anna Ko, York College

Women’s Tennis

With a 3.86 GPA as an Occupational Therapy major and the school record for career and single-season wins, Ko has proven to be a force both on and off the tennis court. In three seasons, Ko has a 24-11 record (.686) and in 2012, she was nearly perfect, going 10-1 in singles play. A five-time member of the Dean’s List, she has also volunteered her time at several area hospitals.

Angelica Lopez, City College of New York

Women’s Soccer

Angelica Lopez holds a 3.4 GPA as a defender on the women’s soccer team, a program that has won the CUNYAC Championship twice in the last four seasons. The two-time CUNYAC Champion with a dual major in International Studies and Political Science with a French minor, she has earned CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete honors from 2009-11, been named to the Dean’s List in four semesters, an Athletic-Academic Honor Roll nominee in 2011 and also won the prestigious CCNY award for French Academic Achievement in May of last year.

Medina Lukolic, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Women’s Volleyball

A two-year starter, Medina Lukolic, owns a 3.47 GPA with a major in Business Administration. As a member of the Women’s Volleyball team, she was top 50 in the nation in assists both seasons. She was also 7th in Region XV in total assists her sophomore year and named CUNYAC All-Star. Off the court she made Dean’s List both semesters of 2011 and also donates blood whenever she can.

Elizabeth Mahoney, Hunter College

Women’s Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field

Elizabeth Mahoney has been a four-year star of the women’s cross country and track and field teams. The 18-time CUNYAC Champion, 5-time CUNYAC Runner of the Year, 3-time CUNYAC MVP, and Rookie of the Year for Indoor Track holds two CUNYAC Conference records. A team captain her senior year, Mahoney boasts a 3.301 GPA with an Economics major, receiving Dean’s List and the CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete Certificate. Off the track, Mahoney is the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Treasurer, and has done various community services events including Relay for Life, Bowery Mission, and the Turkey Distribution Drive.

Christopher Mammano, Lehman College

Men’s Swimming and Diving

A member of the men’s swimming team, Mammano is Russian Studies major with a minor in Spanish. He posts a staggering 3.990 cumulative GPA. The Flushing, NY, native is a member of the Macaulay Honors College and was named a Presidential Scholar recipient every semester. On the athletic side, during the 2013 CUNYAC Swimming and Diving Championships, Mammano placed fourth in the 400-individual medley, 400-yard freestyle relay, and 800-yard freestyle relay. His finishes helped the Lightning capture their fifth CUNYAC championship title in school history. By recording stellar times throughout the season, the senior qualified for the Metro Conference Swimming Championships.

Kubanychbek Maripbek Uulu, Kingsborough Community College

Men’s Tennis

A team captain of the Tennis team, Kubanyanchbek Maripbek boasts a stellar 3.964 GPA with a major in accounting. The Brooklyn native has been the #1 singles player for the Wave during the last 2 seasons and has helped his team reach the national championship in Texas last season. Maripbek Uulu is a Presidential Scholars Honors Program student and has served on four committees at Kingsborough, including serving as the President of Phi Theta Kappa. He has worked with the Luna Park administration, which helps cleanup efforts in Coney Island as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The sophomore not only works hard to make himself better, but pushes his teammates and classmates to do the same. 

Jonathan Martinez, Brooklyn College

Men’s Basketball, Cross Country

Senior Jonathan Martinez is a two-sport athlete at Brooklyn College, spending four seasons on both the Men’s Basketball and Men’s Cross Country teams. As a member of the BC Men’s Basketball team, Martinez was a key role player that helped the team capture back-to-back CUNYAC Regular Season Championships (2009 & 2010). He was also on the team that registered a runner-up finish in the 2012 ECAC Metro Championships. On the BC Cross Country team, Martinez ran a personal best time of 35:47 at both the 2010 and 2012 CUNYAC Championships. Martinez, a member of the Dean’s List, boasts a 3.38 GPA as a TV and Radio major.

James Marty, Brooklyn College

Men’s Swimming and Diving

Senior James Marty is a two-year member of the Brooklyn College Men’s Swimming & Diving team and was one of BC’s top long distance swimmers in the 1,000 and 500-Yard Freestyle events, as well as the team’s best swimmer in the Breaststroke event. At the 2013 CUNYAC Championships, Marty posted top-10 finishes in the 500-Yard Freestyle, the 400-Yard IM and the 200-Yard Breaststroke. Marty, a member of the Dean’s List, boasts a 3.41 GPA as a Physical Education major. He is also a member of the Health and Nutrition Society of Brooklyn College and PE for NYC Campaign. Marty has also spent time as a volunteer swimming coach at The Boy’s Club of New York.

Michael Mbamelu, Bronx Community College

Men’s Soccer

A leader both on and off the soccer pitch, Michael Mbamelu brings an intense focus and drive when it comes to his studies and his play. Posting a 3.38 GPA, Mbamelu studied Nursing at Bronx Community College. Mbamelu has a wonderful personality, shows great sportsmanship and is a great teammate. Mbamelu was also named as a CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete for the Fall of 2012.

Maria Camila Montanez, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Women’s Soccer

A player for two seasons, Maria Montanez, owns a fantastic 3.84 GPA with a major in Communications. As a member of the Women’s Soccer Team, she started 6 games her sophomore year and contributed to a team that showed great improvement as the season progressed. Off the pitch, Maria was a very active member in her community and BMCC’s. She was named to the Dean’s List for 3 straight semesters, won a BMCC Foundation Scholarship and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is also a MoneyWorks Financial Agent and volunteered for youth groups through New York Care.

Ekaterina Mospanova, Kingsborough Community College

Women’s Tennis

The 2012 NJCAA Division III Player of the Year, Ekaterina Mospanova has helped qualify Kingsborough’s team to the 2010 and 2012 NJCAA Women’s Tennis National Tournament. In 2010, Mospanova was undefeated in both singles and doubles throughout the Region XV Championships. A Liberal Arts major from Brooklyn, Mospanova holds a 3.40 GPA and also participates in intramural volleyball and tennis. Despite balancing athletics, a full-time job, child, and other family responsibilities, she is determined to excel in the classroom and on the court. Mospanova has always lent herself to helping others and for that, she is a role model to her teammates. 

Amanda Murolo, Queensborough Community College

Indoor Track and Field/Outdoor Track and Field/Cross Country

A team captain, Amanda Murolo is a leader on the track and in the classroom. With an outstanding 3.81 GPA, Murolo has been honored three times as an Academic All-Region and CUNYAC member. She competed on five CUNYAC community college Championship teams and placed first and second in the DMR and 4X400, respectively. Murolo is a QCC lifeguard and holds an internship in the business department. She has volunteered her time in Long Beach for Hurricane Sandy relief, at Breast Cancer walks, Soup Kitchens, and at the QCC Walk to Aspire.  

Samuel Nkama, City College of New York

Men’s Soccer, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field

Samuel Nkama has a 3.24 GPA as a City University of New York Athletic Conference All-Star in both men’s soccer and track and field. A Psychology major with a Biology minor, Nkama has been named to the dean’s list three times thus far, along with earning Athletic-Academic Honor Roll honors all three seasons. An “Athlete in Action” member and African Student Union member, Nkama dedicates his time to tutor local children and teach them how to use drums. He is one of the leaders on men’s soccer and track and field, respecting his opponents and the officials while also holding his teammates accountable for everything on and off the field.

Vitalis Nujimem, Hostos Community College

Men’s Soccer

Majoring in Business Management, Nujimem earned a 3.676 GPA while playing on the Men’s Soccer team. Nujimem scored 1 goal in the 2012 season helping the Caimans to an 8-4-2 overall record and a second place finish in the CUNY Athletic Conference.

Janet Ortiz, Lehman College

Softball

The starting shortstop on the softball team, Ortiz was a CUNY Athletic Conference first team All-Star in 2012, as she led the Lightning in every major offensive category, hitting .490 with 12 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBI, 16 steals and 45 runs scored while slugging .786 and getting on base at a .549 clip. She also posted 14 multi-hit games. Academically, Ortiz will graduate this spring with a degree in BS in Nutrition and has an overall GPA of 3.665.

Sophia Ponce, Hunter College

Softball

The President of Hunter’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee this past year is a three-year letterwinner in softball with a 3.854 GPA. A Media Studies major is a member of the Dean’s List and the Macaulay Honors College. Ponce is a member of the Salsa Club at Hunter and has volunteered for Macaulay her freshman and sophomore year giving tours to new students and volunteered at orientation and convocation. Her dedication to service led her to soup kitchens, walks, and mentoring. Ponce interned at Goldman Sachs for four summers working as an analyst in the marketing division. She also worked at All You! Magazine in the health section doing research.

Yevgeny Perepelov, Hunter College

Men’s Tennis

Hunter’s and CUNYAC’s first-ever Division III ITA All-American, Yevgeny Perepelov, has been the face of the Hawks Men’s Tennis team for the past four years. Perepelov has a 3.474 GPA with an Economics, Russian Language and Culture major. The Dean’s List member and CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete serves as Secretary of the Russian Club at Hunter and is one of the club’s founding members. Perepelov adds to his accomplishments a CUNYAC Tournament MVP and CUNYAC Rookie of the Year both honors in 2010. He has also found ways of giving back to the NYC area through various service opportunities.

Kyla Pinnock, York College

Women’s Soccer

Pinnock holds a 3.47 GPA while studying in the challenging field of Biotechnology. She does research with nanomaterials, volunteers at a local hospital and tutors fellow students. She is also one of the Cardinals top defenders on the women’s soccer team.

Ratko Rakocevic, John Jay College

Men’s Soccer

Ratko sports a 3.818 GPA. The two-year team member, was a star recruit and key ingredient in the resurgence of the John Jay’s men’s soccer program that got off to a 4-1 start in 2010, as well as a third place regular season CUNYAC finish in 2012, its highest since 2007. A Criminology major, Ratko served as student representative member of the Middle States Working Group Committee, and interned at the United Nations for the Permanent Missions of Montenegro in 2012. Ratko also played a role in the Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts, delivering food and supplies to people in the Rockaways, climbing as high as 22 stories.

Travis Rivera, Queensborough Community College

Indoor Track and Field/Outdoor Track and Field/Cross Country

A Liberal Arts major, Travis Rivera has been an Academic All-Region and CUNYAC member during the Fall 2011, Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 seasons. Competing on both the Cross Country and Track & Field teams, Rivera has been on five CUNYAC community college Championship teams. Additionally, he placed fifth at the National Championship in the 4X800 Relay Team. Maintaining a 3.43 GPA, Rivera volunteers at the Thanksgiving 5K Marathon for charity. 

Ronnell Ross, Bronx Community College

Men’s Basketball

Ronnell was the only returning player from last year’s team which finished the season as Region 15 Champions and appeared in the final four. The Liberal Arts major he led the Broncos through an up and down regular season to a postseason run that saw the team win the CUNYAC Championship. As the #6 seed, the team finished as the NJCAA Region 15 runner up. In the regional semifinals, he was the leading scorer and rebounder with 39 points and 18 rebounds vs. #2 seeded Rockland C.C.  to earn a spot in the regional finals. Ross carries a 3.202 GPA while ending his time with the Broncos as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder and was BCC’s first 1000 point scorer.

Maria Sanz, Brooklyn College

Women’s Tennis

Senior Maria Sanz is a three-year member and two-year captain of the Brooklyn College Women’s Tennis team that posted a 30-14 overall record, including a 19-5 mark in the CUNYAC since 2010. Sanz was a key member of the 2011 team that posted a perfect 8-0 mark in the CUNYAC to capture the regular season championship and a runner-up finish in the conference championships. Sanz is a two-time CUNYAC Second Team All-Star (2011 & 2012), while posting a career record of 24-16 in singles play and 28-14 in doubles play. A Psychology major with a minor in Health, Sanz boasts a 3.52 GPA and is a member of the Dean’s List.

Ivan Srdanovich, Lehman College

Men’s Swimming and Diving

Srdanovich studied across Europe in the fall of his senior year, and carries an overall GPA of 3.752. One of the better swimmers in the CUNYAC, he was tied for Swimmer of the Meet honors at the 2013 CUNYAC Championships, and was integral in Lehman winning its fifth conference championship. He leaves Lehman as the all-time record holder in the 1,650-freestyle, and is part of four different relay records.

Rohan Stewart, Kingsborough Community College

Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field

A two-time CUNYAC scholar-athlete, Rohan Stewart majors in Criminal Justice and maintains a 3.34 GPA at Kingsborough. Athletically, Stewart was the 2011 NJCAA National Champion in the 4X400m, 2011 NJCAA National Runner-up in the 4X800m, and 2012 NJCAA Runner-up in the 4X800m. A three-time NJCAA All-American, Stewart is a hard worker on the track and in the classroom and always looks to get better. After Hurricane Sandy, Stewart helped clean the community of those who were affected.  He is also well known for his sportsmanship, which extends to the classroom. 

Frances Tapia, City College of New York

Women’s Soccer

Frances Tapia, the all-time leader in goals at CCNY and a two-time CUNYAC All-Star and CUNYAC Champion, boasts a 3.5 GPA. A Psychology major, Tapia regularly holds study sessions for teammates. One of the mainstays on the soccer field, the midfielder is one of the unsung heroes of the Beavers soccer program and leads by example. She is a hard-nosed worker on and off the field and makes it a priority to be a all-around student-athlete.

Olivia Tierno, College of Staten Island

Women’s Basketball

For four years Olivia has been an essential part of CSI’s team with her aggressive game play and headstrong tenacity on the hardwood. This standout closed out her junior year leading CSI in scoring in their final five games, and she picked things up where she left off in time for her senior year, as CSI posted its first winning season since 2009-10, finishing as the squad’s leading scorer, en route to a CUNYAC All-Star selection. The Dean’s List and Honor Roll student and a two-time CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month holds a 3.91 GPA with a major in Psychology. The President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a valued contributor to CSI’s first ever Hall of Fame, she is dedicated to serving the university and the surrounding areas.

Chinedu Ujoatu, Bronx Community College

Men’s Soccer

Chinedu, a Dietetics and Nutrition Science major at Bronx Community college, is a very passionate and dedicated student-athlete. During his time at BCC, he was well known for having excellent instincts on the field, and was also a great team leader. Ujoatu posts a 3.26 GPA, and was named as a CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete for the Fall of 2012.

Stephen Walz, John Jay College

Men’s Tennis

A four-year member of the Bloodhounds and sporting a 3.616 GPA, Stephen is a Criminal Justice major. A team captain, He amassed 32 singles wins and 25 doubles wins in his career. He has made the Dean’s List five times and is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. In the community, Stephen teaches tennis to people with down syndrome at Clifton Racquet Club in his hometown of Clifton, N.J.

Patrice Watson, Medgar Evers College

Women’s Soccer

Patrice Watson, has a GPA of 3.973 with a major in Accounting. The single mother with a young son is the Vice President of National Association Black Accountants (NABA). The Trinidadian native loves to help her fellow students and hopes to one day become an executive officer at a non-profit organization.

Gabriel Yanez, Baruch College

Men’s Swimming and Diving, Cross Country

A team captain and Macaulay Honors Student, Gabriel Yanez owns a 3.599 GPA with a major in Political Science and a double minor in Psychology and New York City Interdisciplinary Studies. As a member of the men’s swimming team, he led the team to three CUNYAC Championships. He also competed on the men’s cross country team and helped them to a second place finish in 2011. As a senior, Gabriel spearheaded, organized and took part in a trip to Rockaway, Queens after Hurricane Sandy to transport donated supplies and assists with the cleanup effort.