Athletes of the Week: Dec. 5-11, 2016
The end of the 2016 fall semester is upon us, which means class schedules are winding down and final exams are in full swing, leaving limited teams in action last week. However a few basketball teams and indoor track and field teams competed and did not disappoint. Those earning weekly honors for the week of Dec. 5-11 include....
Men’s Basketball Player – Utica
Ivan Iton, Junior, Forward – Ossining, NY/Ossining
Junior forward Ivan Iton averaged 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over the course of two games last week for Utica. He recorded his second double-double of the season on Tuesday when he registered 19 points and tied his season-best with 11 rebounds against Canton. He also added two steals and two assists against the Roos. He came back with 10 points and eight rebounds as the Pioneers traveled to Mount Saint Mary on Saturday. He currently ranks ninth in the Empire 8 in points per game and fourth in rebounding per game.
Men’s Basketball Rookie – Utica
Justin Strielkauskas, Freshman, G/F – Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross
Freshman Justin Strielkauskas registered 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over the course of two games last week for Utica. He also shot 11-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-7 from behind the arc in the stretch. He has emerged into a starting role in the last four games for Utica. He posted his first collegiate double-double on Saturday as he netted a career-high 16 points (6-of-10 shooting) and 10 rebounds, to go along with two blocks against Mount Saint Mary. He added 13 points and five rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting (2-of-3 from 3-point range) against Canton earlier in the week. He truly had a breakout week as he headed into the last two contests averaging just 2.2 points per game through his first six collegiate contests.
Women’s Basketball Player – Nazareth
Samantha Peebles, Junior, Guard – Syracuse, NY/Westhill
Samantha Peebles scored 22 points (6-of-8), including going 4-for-5 from 3-point range, to help Nazareth to an 88-67 win over Wells on Tuesday. It was a career-high in points for the junior. She also had seven rebounds, five assists and one steal in the victory.
Women’s Basketball Rookie– Nazareth
Rachel Benedict, Freshman, Forward – Brockport, NY/Brockport
Rachel Benedict finished with 22 points (8-for-13) en route to 22 points as Nazareth defeated Wells 88-67 on Thursday. She also pulled down nine rebounds and dished out a career-high five assists.
Men’s Indoor Track Athlete – Nazareth
Matt Battaglia, Senior – Syracuse, NY/Solvay
Matt Battaglia won the 1,000-meter run and was part of the winning 4 x 400 relay at the RIT Early Season Invite on Thursday. He clocked a 2:37.95 in the 1,000 to take first and helped the 4 x 400 relay win by over three seconds with a time of 3:35.50.
Men’s Indoor Field Athlete – St. John Fisher
Mark VanMarter, Junior – Liverpool, NY/Liverpool
Mark VanMarter dominated the jumping pits on Thursday at the Rochester Institute of Technology Early Season Invitational, taking home two first place finishes. In the long jump competition, the Liverpool native leaped a distance of 7.14 meters topped all competitors, while also qualifying him for the ECACs and is currently ranked as the third-highest mark in all of Division III. In his second event of the day, the triple jump, VanMarter continued his excellence as he topped the field with a mark of 13.81 meters. This jump not only qualified him for ECACs but also set a new St. John Fisher College record. The leap also ranks fifth in the country as well.
Women’s Indoor Track Athlete – Nazareth
Samantha Goble, Junior – Waverly, NY/Waverly
Samantha Goble won the 1,000-meter run and was part of the second place 4 x 400 relay at the RIT Early Season Invite on Thursday. She clocked an ECAC qualifying time of 3:10.53 in the 1,000 in her first-ever running of the event. The 4 x 400 relay turned in a time of 4:19.13.
Women’s Indoor Field Athlete – St. John Fisher
Erica Pawlewicz, Sophomore – Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley
Erica Pawlewicz had a big day jumping for the Cardinals at the Rochester Institute of Technology Early Season Invitational on Thursday. The sophomore took first place in the long jump after a leap of 5.29 meters (10th-best in Division III), which qualified her for the ECACs as well. The jump also tied the St. John Fisher College record which was set by Nicolette Lattuca in 2015.