For the 26th Annual Michael Steuerman Scholar-Athlete Awards, held on Wednesday, May 16, at the campus of Queens College, CUNYAC recognized 29 honorable mention scholar-athletes to celebration their incredible accomplishments for the 2011-12 academic and athletic season and their collegiate athletic careers.
Here are their stories...
Mickey Abbatiello, Baruch • Men’s Basketball
A team captain, Mickey Abbatiello, owns a stellar 3.788 GPA with a major in Finance and a minor in Communications. As a member of the Men’s Basketball team, he won the ECAC Metro Region Championship in 2010 and played in the NCAA Tournament during 2009. Off the court, he traveled during the summer of 2011 with the CUNYAC Goodwill Tour to New Orleans to help build homes ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Abbatiello has also begun a career as an entrepreneur, as he and three Baruch alums have created a mobile application called “OneBasketball,” which is sold at the Apple App store.
Basilisa Alonso, Lehman • Women’s Swimming
A three-time CUNY Athletic Conference All-Star swimmer for the Lehman Lightning, Basilisa Alonso majors in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Anthropology and maintains a 3.3 overall GPA. A member of the Lehman Scholars Program and recipient of the Murray Kempton CUNY Journalism Award and the Charles Greenberg Scholarship Award, Alonso also spends her time outside of swim practice writing for the Bronx Journal newspaper. In her senior campaign, Alonso earned 13 first place finishes throughout the year and earned three medals at the 2012 CUNYAC Championship.
Wendell Appleton, Hostos • Men’s Basketball
A committed forward for the Hostos basketball team, Appleton has always been a model sportsman and teammate, despite only averaging three points per game for the season. A Liberal Arts major from Brooklyn, Appleton holds a 3.365 GPA, is a member of the Accelerated Study in Associate Program (ASAP) and plans to attend a four-year college to pursue a career in physical therapy and sports medicine.
Stephanie Arguello, Hostos • Women’s Basketball
An intense competitor and leader for the Caimans, Arguello brings the same drive and initiative to her community and college work. With a 3.25 GPA, Arguello was named to the NJCAA Region XV All-Academic Team in 2010-11. Each semester she spends over thirty hours at homeless shelters or at Christmas gift giveaways for the less fortunate. Described by her coach as a “sparkplug,” who inspires others with her intensity, Arguello translates that leadership into the Hostos Athletics Leaders Organization.
Ryan Baxter, Hunter • Wrestling
Ryan Baxter had the difficult task of managing the work of a Macaulay Honors College student and the hours needed to wrestle for the Hunter team, the only grappling team in the City University system. Even after a crushing season-ending injury, Baxter devoted his newfound time to doing community work, connecting with the alumni base, and cheering on his teammates. Baxter works with the Chinese Immigrants Service and the Motivating Action through Community Health Outreach (MACHO) program, and will graduate with a degree in Urban Studies with a 3.65 GPA.
Mark Courtien, Hunter • Men’s Basketball
A Psychology major, Mark Courtien maintains a stellar 3.61 GPA in the competitive Macaulay Honors College. A natural leader, Courtien, the Hawks’ Captain, reached 1,000 points in his senior year, becoming only the 15th player in Hunter history to do so. Known for his class and maturity on the court, he was named the CUNYAC All-Tournament Team as a sophomore and earned the Burt Beagle Sportsmanship Award from CUNYAC in 2011-12.
Catherine Chan, Brooklyn • Women’s Swimming & Diving
Catherine Chan played an instrumental role in helping to resurrect the Brooklyn Swimming & Diving program in 2010-2011. In both seasons, Chan swam primarily in the Breaststroke, Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay events. She sports a 3.918 GPA as Biology major with minors in Anthropology and Archaeology. Chan is a member of the Macaulay Honors College and Brooklyn’s BA-MD program with SUNY-Downstate, where she will enter medical school in the fall.
Kristi Dillon, Staten Island • Softball
Wearing #1 and batting leadoff the last three seasons for the Dolphins, Kristi Dillon has helped CSI win two CUNYAC Championships (2009, 2011) and the Regular Season title once again in 2012. A sparkplug and fan favorite, Dillon holds the top CSI single season record for stolen bases in a season, with 24 in 2011 and ranks second in career stolen bases with 56 (three behind as of this printing). A Liberal Arts major, Dillon maintains a 3.225 GPA and plans to continue her studies and become a dental hygienist. In her spare time, she volunteers with various youth softball groups, including St. Joseph’s by the Sea, her high school alma mater.
Shirley Falconi, Queensborough CC • Women’s Swimming & Diving
Two-time CUNYAC Champion Shirley Falconi, the winner and record holder of both the 50 Yard and 100 Yard Freestyle events at the Conference Championship, was the first Division III student-athlete to cross the finish line at the NJCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championship in the 50 Yard Freestyle and earned QCC’s first-ever All-American honor in the sport. In the 50 Free, Falconi placed 5th with a strong 24.74, her highest placing to date in two years of swimming at the NJCAA Championships. An Education/Physical Education major, Falconi maintains a 3.3 GPA and serves as a team captain. She is also a member of the Lupus Research Institute and the Alliance for Lupus Research.
Frankie Galang, John Jay • Men’s Volleyball
A rookie and a senior all in one year, Frankie Galang joined John Jay’s newly added Men’s Volleyball squad and played in 18 out of 21 games for the Bloodhounds, earning a starting position in 15 games. Galang maintains a stellar 3.98 GPA over his four years at John Jay, planning to graduate this spring with a Criminal Justice degree and a minor in Law. In addition to volleyball, Galang is a member of JJC’s Veterans Association.
Keiran Halton, Brooklyn • Men’s Basketball/Volleyball
Keiran Halton, a two-year member of both the Brooklyn Men’s Basketball and Men’s Volleyball teams, sports a 3.85 GPA as an Exercise Science major. This season,
Halton averaging 6.9 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game, helped lead Brooklyn to the final of the 2012 ECAC Men’s Basketball Tournament, then he moved to the volleyball court to provide depth, leadership and experience to the young BC squad. Halton has received a Presidential Scholarship at Brooklyn College every semester since 2010, and had a perfect 4.0 GPA last semester
Kevin Hernandez, BMCC • Baseball
Sophomore Kevin Hernandez has been a tremendous leader on and off the diamond for the BMCC Panthers. This season, Hernandez has raised his batting average over one hunderd points from last year to .261, as the season is in full swing.. His on field play is only shadowed by his prowess in the classroom. Hernandez has been an academic leader for his team as well, striving to emphasize the importance of academics to his teammates. Earning a cumulative 3.54 GPA while majoring in Accounting, Hernandez has been selected for the Dean’s List every semester at BMCC.
Kaili Insalaco, John Jay • Women’s Swimming & Diving
Kaili Insalaco, an International Criminal Justice major at John Jay, is known for doing it all. Holding a 3.3 GPA, Insalaco has been a team captain on the Women’s Swimming team for three years straight, and two-time school MVP in her sport. She also participated in the CUNY Goodwill Tour this past summer for a service learning trip to New Orleans. Even though she works close to full-time outside of swim season, Insalaco still finds the time to do volunteer work with the John Jay Environmental Club, CUNY SAAC, and homeless shelters in Harlem.
Christine Luebcke, Hunter • Women’s Volleyball
A relentless and determined volleyball all-star, Christine Luebcke’s nickname fittingly was “the Rock.” Consistently exceptional in the classroom and in her community, Luebcke maintained her 3.5 GPA while working with Project Sunshine, a nonprofit organization that provides educational, recreational and social services to children with medical problems. For her 2010 volleyball campaign she was stellar, being named a CUNYAC All-Star and the CUNYAC Tournament MVP, as the Hawks won their second consecutive title, making their second subsequent NCAA Championship appearance. In 2011, she garnered honors as a CUNYAC first team All-Star and All-Tournament Selection.
Dwight Nangle, Lehman • Men’s Basketball
Dwight Nangle has been a mainstay for the Lehman Basketball squad, making his biggest impact in his senior season with 3.7 rebounds per game and averaging .308 shooting from beyond the arc. Majoring in Computer Information Systems, Nangle holds a 3.3 GPA while also participating on SAAC and other community service activities, such as the AIDS walk, Relay for Life, and volunteering in a soup kitchen.
Lauren Neglia, Staten Island • Women’s Soccer
A two-time CUNYAC Champion and two time CUNYAC All Star, Lauren Neglia holds seven CSI records in her four year soccer career as a dominant midfielder and forward. An English major with a concentration in Dramatic Literature, this Dean’s List scholar maintains a 3.77 GPA. Neglia has served on numerous organizations at the College of Staten Island, including the Contribution to the Mission for CSI, the Leadership Committee, SAAC, and the campus clean-up project.
Marthies Nunoo, Bronx CC • Men’s Soccer/Track & Field
Marthies Nunoo has provided a steady presence for the Bronx Broncos as a two-sport student-athlete on the Men’s Soccer and Track & Field teams. Maintaining a 3.33 overall GPA, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Finance, Nunoo is a member of the school’s Business Club and serves as a tennis instructor at Harlem Junior Tennis. His leadership and character helped the soccer team reach the NJCAA Region XV semifinals for the first time in school history.
Mario Palma, Queensborough CC • Baseball
Mario Palma is the kind of student-athlete every coach hopes to recruit. A Criminal Justice major at Queensborough Community College, Palma maintains a 3.45 GPA and spends his free time tutoring his peers and teammates. As a pitcher and first baseman for the Tigers, Palma is averaging .333 at the plate with a perfect fielding percentage this season. He also commits his time to community service, teaching kids baseball in the HBQVB (Queens Little League) Baseball program.
Brenda Pitts, John Jay • Women’s Soccer
The consummate student-athlete, Brenda Pitts maintains an outstanding 3.92 GPA while participating on the Women’s Soccer squad for the John Jay Bloodhounds. A student in the prestigious BA/MA program, she will receive her bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and finish a Master’s in Public Administration and International Inspection and Oversight next year. With her solid work ethic, Pitts uses her leadership skills as a mentor for her teammates and a member of several community organizations, including the Young Life Leader mentorship program, P.S. 57 NYC public school, and the Mission to the World organization, which allowed her to travel to Kenya in 2010 and again in 2012.
Lauren Plagainos, Brooklyn • Women’s Basketball
A two-year member of the Brooklyn College Women’s Basketball team, Lauren Plagainos was named to the 2011-2012 CUNYAC All-Star First Team. Plagainos
averaged a team-high 12.3 ppg, leading the team to a 22-8 overall mark, as the Bulldogs recorded the first 20-win season in school history, including a perfect 11-0 CUNYAC record to claim the top seed in the 2012 Tournament. The team also made its fourth straight appearance in the ECAC Postseason Tournament. Plagainos is a Children and Youth Studies major with a 3.5 GPA and was named the February CUNYAC/HSS Scholar-Athlete of the Month.
Daniel Rabinovich, Kingsborough CC • Men’s Tennis
Daniel Rabinovich has shown the consistency of athleticism and academics that marks the quintessential scholar-athlete. Playing first singles for the Wave, Rabinovich matches up against the opponent’s top player - every match. Rabinovich will be representing Kingsborough and CUNYAC at the NJCAA National Tournament in Texas this month. For his efforts in the classroom, Rabinovich has been recognized on the Dean’s List for three straight semesters and boasts an outstanding 3.96 GPA as a Liberal Arts major.
Donika Rexhepi, City College • Women’s Basketball
A member of City College’s 1,000 point club and two-time CUNYAC three-point shootout winner, Donika Rexhepi became the mainstay of the Beavers program over the past four seasons. In 2011-12, her versatility saw her lead the team in four major statistical categories, including points (14.2), rebounds (8.2), assists and steals. An Advertising and Public Relations major at City College, Rexhepi currently holds a GPA of 3.422. She is involved with a number of groups on campus and also handles Public Relations duties for two busy New York City restaurants.
Vanessa Rivera, York • Women’s Basketball/Soccer/Softball
Vanessa Rivera has been a three-sport athlete at York, competing in basketball, soccer and softball, all while maintaining a 3.33 overall GPA as a Physical Education major. A starter for both the soccer and basketball teams, Rivera was the winner of the 2011-12 Burt Beagle Sportsmanship Award, which is given to the women’s basketball player who best exemplifies sportsmanship in the CUNY Athletic Conference. Rivera spends her time outside of athletics student-teaching at the Scholars Academy, a New York City public school in Queens.
Duong Thai, Brooklyn • Men’s Volleyball
Duong Thai, a two-year member of the Brooklyn College Men’s Volleyball team, sports a 3.54 GPA as a Physical Education major. He transferred to Brooklyn College from CUNY’s New York City College of Technology and has been a mainstay in the Bulldogs lineup since he arrived. This season, Thai averaged 2.29 kills per set, placing him 11th in the CUNYAC. In 2011, Thai was named to the NECVA All-Academic Team for his efforts.
Nicholas Todaro, John Jay • Men’s Volleyball
Nicholas Todaro began his sports career at John Jay as a member of the Men’s Soccer program, and added a starting spot on the new Men’s Volleyball program in his senior campaign. A Criminal Justice major with a minor in Law, Todaro holds a 3.41 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List for two straight years. He is also a soccer referee and a member of the Director of Referees and Director of Field Management for the Dix Hills Soccer Club.
Jane Walsh, Queensborough • Women’s Basketball
The 5-8 sophomore forward excels both on and off the court. As she showed promise as a freshman with five points, 3.5 rebounds and over a steal per game, Jane was also maintaining her 3.5 GPA and getting on the Deans list both 2010 semesters. And while it was crushing to miss most of the 2011-12 season to injury, Jane stayed focused in the classroom, earning Academic All-Region accolades.
Jessica Wang, City College • Women’s Fencing
An ambitious Civil Engineering major from Brooklyn, Jessica Wang transformed the City College Fencing program when she arrived, creating an atmosphere of success with her skill and dedication to the sport. Finishing with a minimum of 70 wins and an EWFC Foil All-Conference selection in each of her first three seasons, Wang helped the team to a 4th place finish at the prestigious NIWFA championships, one of the highest finishes in CUNY history. Wang maintains a 3.3 GPA and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineering and the National Civil Engineering Honors Society. She was awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Fellowship, the Theodore Wittes, and the Andrew S. Grove scholarships in 2011.
Posey Wilson, Baruch • Women’s Volleyball
A three-time CUNYAC Libero of the Year, Posey Wilson, a native of Fayetteville, Arkansas is the first player in Baruch Women’s Volleyball history to total over 2,000 career digs. She was also named ECAC Metro Defensive Player of the Year last season. Owner of a 3.381 GPA with a major in advertising and marketing, along with a minor in sociology, Wilson led the Bearcats to the CUNYAC Championship and the team’s second-ever NCAA Volleyball Championship in 2011. Off the court, she was a member of SAAC and completed 20 hours of community service at Legal Aide in her home state.
Jeffrey Wong, Baruch • Men’s Swimming & Diving
A member of three CUNYAC Championships (2010-2012) and a two-time CUNYAC All-Star, Wong will graduate from Baruch as one of the most successful swimmers in team history, as the team‘s top breaststroker during his years. He holds a 3.485 GPA with a major in Finance and minor in Interdisciplinary New York City Studies. The team captain and Macaulay Honors College student was also very active in community service as he fundraised for “Relay for Life” cancer research advocacy events at Baruch College and swam around the island of Manhattan to raise money for “Swim Free” last summer.
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