JERSEY CITY, N.J. (May 3, 2022) - The Saint Peter's University Athletics Department celebrated the 2021-22 academic year with The SP's on Monday, May 2. The annual awards banquet recognized teams and individuals for athletic, academic and community achievement.
The nominees and winners for each award are listed below.
Pride Cup Award
The Pride Cup is a year-long competition between all athletic teams that incorporates academic achievement, team performance, community service, attendance at mandatory programming, and support of fellow athletic teams.
Community Service Award
The Community Service Award is given to one team that demonstrated the core ideals of the Jesuit tradition in their endeavors beyond the playing field over the past year.
- Winner - Men's and Women's Track and Field
Academic Team of Champions
The Academic Team of Champions is awarded to the men's and women's programs with the highest cumulative team-wide GPA's at the conclusion of the fall semester.
- Male Winner - Men's Swimming
- Female Winner - Women's Volleyball
Iron Peacock Awards
The Iron Peacock Awards are presented to a male and female student-athlete for their tireless efforts in the weight room and those whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments and their integrity as student-athletes.
- Male Winner - Oleksiy Polishcuk, Men's Swimming
- Female Winner - Anja Solveig Kane, Softball
Comeback Players of the Year
The Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented by the Sports Medicine Department to one male and one female student-athlete for working their way back from injuries and back onto the field.
- Male Winner - Tim Fafian, Men's Soccer
- Female Winner - Brooke Boutchie, Women's Soccer
Bill Stein Peacock Pride Award
The Bill Stein Peacock Pride Award goes to the individual or group that demonstrates excellence in leadership and has made significant contributions to the university and community.
- Winner - Jan Reimer, Director of Leadership and Engagement
Athletic Director's Awards
The Athletic Director's Awards are presented to individuals who have epitomized what it means to be a student-athlete at Saint Peter's. They work tirelessly on the field and in the weight room, classroom, and community. They also exhibit the qualities of proven leaders.
- Male Winner - Rayshawn Johnson, Track and Field
- Female Winner - Stephanie Radakovic, Women's Soccer
Scholar-Athletes of the Year
The Scholar-Athletes of the Year are awarded to one male and female senior student-athlete that has recorded the highest cumulative grade point average over their four-year careers.
- Male Nominees
- David Szaro (Track & Field)
- David Dolgitzer (Swimming and Diving)
- Jimmy Apostolico (Golf)
- Male Co-Winners - Jimmy Apostolico, Men's Golf and David Dolgtizer, Swimming and Diving
- Female Nominees
- Andrea Lombeyda (Volleyball)
- Taylor Rondon (Softball)
- Wildalys Soto (Volleyball)
- Female Winner - Andrea Lombeyda, Women's Volleyball
Male/Female Rookie of the Year
Presented to student-athletes who are in their first year of college eligibility, who show exceptional athletic ability, are a team player and hard worker, show sportsmanship and coachability and are recognized for their accomplishments by their respective conference and/or other reputable association. Note: Nominations were considered through the end of April.
- Male Nominees:
- Daniel Blackmore (MSOC)
- Jaylen Murray (MBB)
- Pablo Alvarez (MGOLF)
- Cole Watson (BASE)
- Quincy Hendy (MT&F)
- Male Winner - Daniel Blackmore, Men's Soccer
- Female Nominees:
- Anabelle Adams (WSOC)
- Kaila Dawkins (WBB)
- Jessica Guarrera (WSWIM)
- Kasidy Slusser (SB)
- Diamond McLaughlin (WT&F)
- Female Winner - Diamond McLaughlin, Women's Track & Field
Male/Female Student-Athletes of the Year
Presented to student-athletes who show exceptional athletic ability, are a team player and hard worker, show sportsmanship and coachability, are recognized for their accomplishments by their respective conference and/or other reputable association, and had a major impact on that team's success for the season. Note: Nominations were considered through the end of April.
- Male Nominees:
- KC Ndefo (MBB)
- Luke Cillie (MSWIM)
- Jamie Davis (MSOC)
- Collin Jensen (BASE)
- Clardo Nestor (MT&F/XC)
- Melvin Morales (MGOLF)
- Male Winner - KC Ndefo, Men's Basketball
- Female Nominees:
- Kendrea Williams (WBB)
- Stephanie Radakovic (WSOC)
- Natalie Davis (WSWIM)
- Alanis Alvarado (WVB)
- Diamond McLaughlin (WT&F)
- Cara McNulty (SB)
- Female Winner - Kendrea Williams, Women's Basketball
Team Performance of the Year
Honoring the team that recorded the most incredible performance on its respective playing surface in 2021-22 considering the following criteria: record-setting performances (either by a team or individual), opposing team(s), overcoming adversity (i.e., dramatic comeback victory), results of contest impacting the remainder of a team's season and type of contest (regular season/postseason).
- Nominees
- Men's Basketball makes history after becoming the first No. 15 seed in the history of March Madness to reach the Elite Eight as part of a magical month that also saw them win the MAAC Championship for the fourth time (first since 2011).
- Softball rips off five straight wins for the first time in 15 years after posting back-to-back doubleheader sweeps at South Carolina State in early March.
- The men's swimming team breaks the program's 200-yard free relay record as part of a stellar showing at the MAAC Championships.
- Women's volleyball caps off its season on a high note after posting a 3-1 win on Senior Day over MAAC Tournament qualifier Canisius.
- Baseball wins 3-of-4 on the road at Coppin State to open the season with a 3-2 record, its best start to a season in eight years.
- Women's soccer closes out the season with a Senior Day win over Siena to round out the campaign with back-to-back victories.
- Men's soccer rallies for a 2-1, come-from-behind win at home against Bucknell in overtime.
- Women's basketball gets revenge against Marist in the MAAC Tournament after upending the defending champion Red Foxes in this year's opening round.
- Winner - Men's Basketball's run to the Elite Eight
Individual Performance of the Year
Presented to the individual(s) considered to have had the best or most significant performance in a contest in his or her sport in 2021-22 considering the following criteria: record-setting performances, opposing team(s), individual efforts directly impacting outcome of a contest/impacting remainder of a team's season and type of contest (regular season/postseason). Note: Nominations were considered through the end of April.
- Nominees
- KC Ndefo (MBB) makes history with an eye-popping 11 blocked shots while reaching the 1,000-point career milestone in the same game as part of a dominant win over Quinnipiac.
- In her first regular season game at Run Baby Run Arena, Kassondra Brown erupts for 22 points and 16 boards to highlight a home-opening victory over Wagner for the women's basketball team.
- Luke Cillie (MSWIM) puts together one of the most dominant showings by a Peacock swimmer in recent memory at the MAAC Championships, winning three medals over the week.
- Diamond McLaughlin (WTRACK) puts a note on a wonderful rookie indoor campaign by winning bronze in the 400 meters at the MAAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
- Jamie Davis (MSOC) records a goal and an assist to propel the men's soccer team to a dramatic overtime win over Bucknell at home.
- Cara McNulty (SB) caps off a career day by going 6-for-7 with three RBIs, a double and a stolen base in a doubleheader against Quinnipiac, helping the Peacocks to a split.
- Delano Gooden, Clardo Nestor, Michael Conover & Isaiah Sanchez combine to break school record in 4x400m indoor relay at ECAC/IC4A Championships
- Natalie Davis (WSWIM) caps off a stellar season in the 100-yard backstroke by taking the bronze medal as part of a sensational showing at the MAAC Championships.
- Winner - KC Ndefo's historic performance against Quinnipiac
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