UMW Student-Athletes Among the Best

By Joey Merkel

In case you haven’t been on top of the Mary Washington sports scene this summer, here’s a look back at all the awards and honors that were handed out to none other than our own Mary Washington Eagles.
In the baseball world, recent UMW graduate Alex Rossi was named an honorable mention All-Regional selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings. Teammate Riley Gorman was selected to the South Region ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team for his stellar play in centerfield. The senior did not commit an error in any of the 39 games he played this year.
At the NCAA Division III Championships on May 23, UMW alumna Cristy Falcone finished seventh overall in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. With her finish, Falcone was awarded All-America status. Senior Mae Winchester finished eighth in the 40 hurdles also earning All-America status.
Being an All-American was just one of Winchester’s accomplishments this semester. In July, she was selected to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association’s women’s Division III All-Academic Track and Field team.
Senior Justin German was named to the Cosida Academic All-District Track and Field team.
After leading the Division III nation in assists (4.5), recent UMW graduate, attack Caitlin Erickson was named second team All-American by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coached Association and U.S. Lacrosse. Erickson also led the nation and broke the NCAA Division III season record with 7.94 points per game. Erickson was also featured in the August 4 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine in the “Faces in the Crowd” segment.
On August 11, another round of awards were presented to seniors Emily Gallugi and Julia Milner. The seniors were named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association’s Division III Academic Honor Roll.
After a successful year in which they advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III national tournament for the fourth time in six years, the men’s tennis team finished the season ranked ninth in the nation among Division III schools.
Individually, senior Randy Loden and classmate John James finished 13th and 16th in the nation respectively. Both of the students earned All-American honors. Loden earned a second All-American honor with freshman Kaz Matura in doubles competition finishing eighth in the nation.
The women’s tennis team also had three athletes earn All-American honors. Natalia Fugate and Stephanie Kurti earned the honor in doubles competition while Becky Morse-Karzen earned honors in both singles and doubles finishing the year ranked 13th in the nation.
Big news for the school this year as the Eagles finished first in the state for Division II and III schools in win percentage. The athletic department claimed the Virginia Sports Information Directors All-Sports Award with a total win percentage of .719, edging out Christopher Newport University who scored a .714.
Were you too busy with move-in to see a game this weekend? Come out to the Battlegrounds next Saturday and Sunday for a doubleheader of soccer. The men’s team will be playing Elizabethtown College on August 30 at 3:30; and Gettysburg College on August 31 at 3:30.
The first field hockey game of the season will take place September 6 at 2:00 pm against Wittenberg University. Make sure to come out for the team’s first Capital Athletic Conference match of the season on September 13 at home against York College of Pennsylvania.
The first home women’s soccer match of the season will be September 10 against Christopher Newport University at 4:00.
Honors and awards have been handed out all summer long. Congratulations to those who were acknowledged for their hard work and dedication.