Press Releases

May 05, 2000
Swedes and Women Cagers Dominate Athletic Awards Dinner

Contact:
Darren Johnson
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

Student-athletes from the Colonials' two most prosperous programs dominated at the Southampton College Athletic Awards Dinner on Thursday night. With plaques given for both athleticism and scholarship, it was noted that success on the field often accompanies success in the classroom. Thus, men's soccer and women's basketball not only had the highest win percentages, but also the best grade-point averages.

"Southampton College's emphasis on putting grades first has really improved the overall quality of the teams. Our student-athletes maintain their work ethic on and off the courts and fields," said Athletic Director Mary Topping. "Coaches have done a terrific job recruiting academically-sound players, and eight of our 10 teams had records of .500 or better this year."

The men's soccer team, which went 16-0-2 before losing in the NCAA Quarterfinals to eventual champ Southern Connecticut State, took the most awards " 10 " including many for its eight-man Swedish contingent. Freshman Daniel Olsson was named the team's MVP. Senior Johan Kron, who was New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC) MVP and broke Southampton's career (60) and season (21) goal records in the fall, was named Outstanding Offensive Player on Thursday. Seniors Nick Rotiroti and Dusan Erceg and junior goalie Roger Svensson (10 shutouts, .60 goals-against ratio) were named Outstanding Defensive Players. Last fall, the team's GPA of 3.32 earned the Colonials the honor of All-Academic Team for NCAA Division II. At the Awards Dinner, senior forwards Desmond Megna and Kron were named Outstanding Senior Athletes. Kron and senior defender Johan Lindquist were named Scholar Athletes.

In all, Swedish players took home 10 awards, including tennis trophies for Andreas Lindberg, Olsson and Svensson. Southampton High School graduates James Grigo and Bret DeCerbo were also honored with tennis awards, including an MVP for Grigo.

The women's basketball team, which has a 3.39 GPA and is the best academically in New York State in NCAA Division II, took eight honors. Senior center Rita Breivaite was named MVP. Outstanding Offensive Player was Corinne Broadhead. Outstanding Defensive Player was Melanie McCollum. Breivaite was also named Outstanding Senior Athlete and Scholar Athlete. Other Lady Colonials receiving academic honors were Rita's twin Evelina Breivaite, Heather Weaver and Beth Hartman.

In March, Rita Breivaite was named Women's Basketball Player of the Year in NCAA Division II/NAIA by the NIT/Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association. The Southampton College center also won the award last year. A 6-3 senior from Panevyzys, Lithuania, she had led the Lady Colonials with 14 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and to a 20-9 record, the best in team history. The Lady Colonials also were honored with the Anderson Sportsmanship Award, which was voted upon by NYCAC referees. It is the third time in the past six years that the team has won the award.

Also named MVP Thursday were Begga Laxdal (women's soccer), Brooke Obad (women's volleyball), Mark Person (men's basketball), John Lenihan (men's volleyball), Larry Falkman (men's lacrosse), Stacia Semo (women's softball) and Jill Whetstone (women's tennis).