Like I promised in the past edition of “The Xavierite,” this article is a continuation of the Student-Athlete recognitions around Saint Xavier University.
I actually was joking with some of my friends last week saying, “The Cougars need to stop being so talented because it makes this article harder to write!” But it’s true, these athletes at Saint Xavier are so talented and the community should commend them for their tireless efforts in and outside of the classroom.
This has been a consistent trend for the Cougars in recent years, but the 2017-2018 Academic year surpasses the past numbers of accomplishments from the Cougar athletes.
There are still a lot of great things to come from the Cougars in the future, but until the future is here, this is the rest of the Student-Athletes’ achievement list from this past year.
Women’s Cross Country
Senior runner Ellie Willging: Willging was awarded the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete Award. Ellie also received the CCAC Runner of the Week Award during the week of October 27. She was also named NAIA Runner of the Week not once, but twice this past season. Finally, Ellie also was named an All-American Athlete for the NAIA in Cross Country.
Senior runner Sierra Downey: Downey was awarded the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete Award.
Junior runner Jill Siemiawski: Siemiawski was awarded the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete Award.
Men’s Cross Country
Senior runner Alan Guzman: Guzman was named an All-American Athlete in the NAIA for Cross Country. Alan was also named The CCAC Runners of the Week in the week of October 27. Guzman and Willging both swept the this award the same week.
Football
Junior Quarterback Justin Hunniford: Hunniford earned the MSFA Offensive Player of the Week on September 4.
Junior Defensive lineman Dmitri Joe: Joe earned the MSFA Defensive Player of the Week on September 4.
Senior Kicker Abdul Mahdi: Mahdi earned the MSFA Special Teams Player of the Week on September 4. Abdul also won this same award on the week of September 18, 25,
Sophomore Quarterback Alex Martinez: Martinez earned the MSFA Offensive Player of the Week on September 11. Alex also received this award on October 23.
Senior Running back Mike Ivlow: Ivlow earned the MSFA Offensive Player of the Week on September 18. Mike was also named the MSFA Player of the Week on November 6.
Freshman Defensive back Kevin Block: Block earned the MSFA Defensive Player of the Week on September 25.
Sophomore Lineback Danny Saracco: Saracco earned the MSFA Defensive Player of the Week on October 16. He also received this same award on October 23.
Sophomore Defensive back Tionte McDaniel: McDaniel earned the MSFA Player of the Year on the defensive side of the ball.
Senior Wide Receiver Drey Devereaux: Devereaux earned the MSFA Special Teams Player of the Week on October 16. This was due to his performance as a kick returner.
Senior Offensive lineman Justin Hunter: Hunter was awarded the Victory Sports Network (VSN) All-American Team. This is Justin’s second consecutive title for the VSN Award.
***Here are the Cougars who made the All-MSFA Midwest League Team List
First Team: Tionte McDaniel, Danny Saracco, Josh Hettiger, Justin Hunter, Nick Czeszewski,
Second Team: Mike Ivlow, Abdul Madhi, Bruce Mesa, Anthony Saro, Drey Devereaux, Derrick Hosselton, Jeff Cesario, Robbie Brindley, Joe Bailey, Tim Walsh, Mark Strbjak, Jesse Gonzales
Women’s Soccer
Junior Goalkeeper Carly Bledsoe: Bledsoe was named the CCAC Defensive Player of the Week on September 12.
Sophomore Goalkeeper Ashley Smialek: Smialek earned her first CCAC Defensive Player of the Week on October 10.
Men’s Soccer
Senior Goalkeeper Frank Valle: Valle earned CCAC Defensive Player of the Week on September 12. He also earned this honor again on November.
Senior Forward David Rebollar: Rebollar was awarded CCAC Offensive Player of the Week on October 10.
Junior Midfielder Danny Lopez: Lopez earned CCAC Offensive Player of the Week on October 24. He also won this same award on November 1. Danny also earned All-CCAC First Team Honors.
Sophomore Defender Michael Gutierrez: Gutierrez earned All-CCAC First Team Honors.
Junior Forward Orlando Tapia: Tapia earned All-CCAC Second Team Honors.
Women’s Volleyball
Junior Libero Mariana Ayala: Ayala earned CCAC Player of the Week honors on August 29.
Senior Setter Country Joyce: Joyce earned CCAC Player of the Week honors on August 29. Country was also named CCAC Setter of the Week on September 19, 26, October 24, and November 10. Furthermore, Courtney was named to the AVCA NAIA All-Midwest Region First Team. To add onto the list, she was named on the NAIA Volleyball All-American list.
Senior Outside hitter Bridget Krasowski: Krasowski earned CCAC Player of the Week honors on September 4. Bridget also received this same award on October 17, and 24. On top of this, Bridget was named to the AVCA NAIA All-Midwest Region First Team. She was also awarded the NAIA Volleyball All-American list.
Junior Outside hitter Rory Manion: Manion earned CCAC Player of the Week honors on November 10.
Men’s Volleyball
Senior Libero Brandon McGinnis: McGinnis earned CCAC Player of the Week honors on February 20. He also earned this same award on April 3.
Sophomore Setter Aaron Kummer: Kummer earned CCAC Player of the Week honors on February 20. Aaron also received this same award on April 3.
***Both Brandon and Aaron were named to the All-CCAC Team as well.
Softball
Sophomore Shortstop Tori Keilam: Keilam earned her first CCAC Softball Player of the Week on April 17.
What an amazing year for Cougar Athletes. Keep working hard!
Christine Manika
Sports Columnist