Stancato Signs to Play Professionally for the Detroit City Football Club

Former Saints women’s soccer standout Julia Stancato signed a contract to play professionally for the Detroit City Football Club (DCFC) for the club’s inaugural season. Stancato scored a team-high five goals for the Saints in 2019, and was named a first team all-conference performer. She also was named to the United Soccer Coaches North All-Region second team and was a NAIA Scholar-Athlete.

Student-Athletes Excel in the Classroom (Again) and in the Community

A total of 686 SHU student-athletes finished with a combined 3.0 grade point average for the fall 2019 semester. Women’s soccer topped the list with a 3.64 team GPA. Dance was second (347), women’ volleyball third (3.4), softball fourth (3.33), and women’s bowling fifth (3.68). The top men’s team was cross country, who finished with a 3.19 GPA.

A total of 636 Siena Heights student-athletes earned a cumulative 3.16 grade point average during the 2020 winter semester. Leading the way was the women’s soccer team with a 3.71 GPA, followed by women’s volleyball (3.58), and women’s bowling (3.53). All nine of the women’s teams earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, with an aggregate of 3.45. On the men’s side, the golf team led the way with a 3.38 GPA, followed by cross country team (3.37) and soccer (3.33). The aggregate men’s GPA was a 3.01. The dance team earned a 3.57 GPA to lead the coed sports, followed by cheer (3.06) and eSports (2.91).

Siena Heights finished ninth in the HelperHelper NAIA Challenge, which tracks community service by student-athletes. The national HelperHelper Challenge was conducted over the entire academic year.

Kristin Delclos Participates in Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program

Sophomore women’s lacrosse student-athlete Kristin Delclos was one of a select group of NAIA student-athletes to participate in the Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program in June 2020. In its 14th year, the program is a collaboration that strives to inspire a new generation of Red Cross volunteer leadership in conjunction with the five core values of the NAIA “Champions of Character” program. Chosen student-athletes will learn firsthand coaching, mentoring and professional leadership training presented by leaders at the Red Cross. The program also allows students to give back to their school and community by becoming a Red Cross ambassador through recruiting blood donors on their college campuses.

Soccer

Women: Senior Julia Stancato was named first team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference after scoring five goals this season. Stancato was also named to the first team NAIA All-District 1 team by the College Sports Information Directors of America and to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches North All-Region second team for the second consecutive year. Finally, she was also named USC NAIA Scholar All-American. Freshman Elizabeth Furgason and junior Macy Llewellyn were each named second team All-WHAC, with freshmen Marissa Young and Hannah Moening each earning a spot on the All-Newcomer Team. Earning all-academic honors were Stancato, Haylie Curtiss, Mia Dronchi, Kathryn Gordon, Kaleigh Mahaz, Madeline Reau, Jennifer Richmond, Magali Romero, Alexa Scroggie, Ashley Strong and Kara Bishop. Bishop was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character Award. The Saints finished 12-6-1 overall, 8-2 in the conference.

Men: The Saints had 10 student-athletes names to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Earning the honor were Leo Hisamatsu, Uthman Babatunde, Artur Becker, Remy Collard, Kiah Finley, Andrew Kozan, Alexander Mittag, Carlos Palan, Austin Siterlet and Brayden Stephan. Hisamatsu was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character Award. The Saints finished 7-10-1 overall, 4-6-1 in the conference.

Cross Country

Women: The Saints placed fifth at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships. Andrea Crowe placed 10th in a time of 18 minutes, 35 seconds to earn second team All-WHAC honors. Michayla Miller was the recipient of team’s Champions of Character Award and also earned academic all-conference honors. Crowe also competed at the NAIA National Championships in Vancouver, Wash. She finished 91st in a time of 19 minutes, 34 seconds.

Men: The Saints finished fourth at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships. Liam Heaney was fourth overall in a time of 25 minutes, 55 seconds to earn first team all-conference. Liam Hartsuff was 10th in 26:14 and Jareb Duggan 14th in 26:23 to both earn second team All-WHAC. Earning all-academic honors were Heaney, Bradley Bauer and Shane Skelcy, with Duggan receiving the team’s Champions of Character Award. Heaney competed at the NAIA National Championships in Vancouver, Wash. He finished 111th in 26:28.

Volleyball

Women: Senior setter Carrigan Gray and sophomore hitter Janel Ruhlman were both named second team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Gray had 786 assists and 26 aces, with Ruhlman having 323 kills and 32 aces. Earning spots on the all-academic team were seniors Anna Tartarian and Madison Sitter. Tartarian was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character Award. The Saints finished 10-18 overall, 7-13 in the conference.

Men: Senior Emilier De Jesus was named a second team All-American by the NAIA and an honorable mention NAIA All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The defender led the nation in digs (290) as well as digs per game (3.77) during the shortened 2020 season. He is also the program’s career leader in both. De Jesus was named a first team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference performer. Jakob PIckett earned a spot the WHAC All-Freshman Team, while Evan Cashen received all-academic honors and Kevin Gomez the team’s Champions of Character Award. Sophomore Evan Cashen earned a spot on the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team. The Saints finished 17-8 overall, 3-2 in the conference before the season was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Football

Senior cornerback Trevon Claybourne was named a second team Associated Press NAIA All-American. He also was a first team NAIA and American Football Coaches Association All-American. He had 37 tackles and two interceptions for the Saints last season. Defensive lineman Wyatt Gardocki, linebacker Kole Murlin, safety Trenton Morrow and Claybourne were all named to the first team All-Mid-States Football Association Mideast team to lead the Saints. Morrow was also tabbed an honorable mention NAIA All-American. Earning second team honors were runningback Kaleb Jefferson, receiver Jerrold King, center Stanley Fink, tackle Jax Gasaway, defensive lineman Andrew Loria, linebacker Nick Stalworth and punter Caleb Meister. Earning honorable mention were safety Gabe Callery, quarterback Tyler Knecht and linebacker Griffin Sobol. Seniors King and Loria and sophomore Jefferson were each named to the NAIA All-Academic District 1 team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The Saints had 15 student-athletes named to the Mid-States Football Association All-Academic Team, including King, Justin Carrabino, Loria, Troy Kutcha, Cole LaFave, Nicholas Cominos, Murlin, Andrew McGaughy, Andrew Lyons, Kendrick Green, Nicholas Pagano, Knecht, Jacob Lederman, Hayden Sluder and Kyle Minder. To make the list, student-athletes need a minimum 3.25 grade-point average. The Saints finished 7-3 on the season, and were ranked 20^th in the final NAIA national poll.

Wrestling

The Saints announced that Adam Greene was hired as the head coach for the new men’s wrestling program that will start in fall 2020. Greene was formerly a high school counselor and assistant wrestling coach at Brandon High School in Florida. From 2015-19, he was the assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, NCAA Division III SUNY Oneonta. He was a member of the SUNY Oneonta wrestling team from 2013-16 and has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in counselor education. Siena Heights will restart wrestling after more than a 30-year hiatus.

eSports

The Saints’ Rocket League team fell to Long Island 3-1 Monday in the semifinals of the ECAC Series. Siena Heights has qualified for the league final series in New York in February. The Saints had two members of their eSports team earn all-academic honors from the newly formed Eastern College Athletic Conference. Ashley Shepherd from the Overwatch team and Aaron Bitz from the Rocket League and Hearthstone teams each were honored. To make the team, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average.

Indoor Track and Field

Women: The Saints finished fifth at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships. Asia Gardner and Kierra Rice each had first-place finishes, with Gardner taking the 60 (7.72) and Rice the 60 hurdles (8.64). Earning second was Jaymz Gibson in the pole vault. Julia Forbes, placed fourth in the long jump to earn All-American honors at the NAIA Indoor Championships in South Dakota. Forbes went a distance of 5.77 meters. Also competing at nationals were Rice (60 hurdles), Jaymz Gibson (pole vault), Gardner (60, 200), Chelsea Short (400), Stephanie Reed (high jump) and Delaney Stersic (400). Saints who earned WHAC All-Academic honors were Abigail Bansen, Madelyn Birmingham, Forbes, Gibson, Manon Lutzke, Michayla Miller, Stersic and Madisyn Kleinschmit. Gardner received the team’s Champions of Character award. The outdoor season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Men: The Saints finished behind Indiana Tech and Aquinas for third place at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships. Nathan Parker won the 600 (1:25.47) and Liam Hartsuff the 5,000 (15:46.86) to lead the way. Earning second place were Davion Curry in the long jump, the 4×400 relay of Parker, Cedric Grant, Curry and Naythan Haslam and Zach Kunst in the weight throw. Competing at the NAIA meet were Davion Curry (long jump), Jefferson Edwards (shot put), Zach Kunst (shot put) and Naythan Haslam (400). Senior Garret Young and Shane Skelcy and junior Bradley Bauer were each named to the WHAC All-Academic Team, with Young also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. The outdoor season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dance

Senior Jenna Stahl was named a first team NAIA All-American at the Northeast Regional competition. Officials judge the student-athletes during a tryout, and All-Americans are determined by the judges’ scores. Freshman Logan Richardson was chosen as an honorable mention All-American for the Saints. The Saints placed third at the NAIA Northeast Regional. SHU had 78.95 points, with St. Ambrose winning with 94.78. The Saints were one of 12 teams that qualified for the NAIA national competition. The Saints placed only behind Aquinas to finish second at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships. Stahl and Richardson were each named second team all-conference.

Cheer

The Saints finished third at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championships. Junior Kaileah Sweet and Lucas Beal each received second team all-conference honors. The Saints had Kyle Harcek, Justice Manchester, Megan Serin and Samantha Wright earn spots on the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Harcek was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character Award. The Saints finished fifth at the NAIA Northeast Regional.

Bowling

Women: The Saints placed ninth at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Junior Madeline Marcetti was named to the WHAC All-Academic Team, with Tryna Gladstone receiving the team’s Champions of Character award.

Men: The Saints finished 10th at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Senior Keith Reid and junior Travis Marcus were each named to the WHAC All-Academic Team. Reid was also named the team’s Champions of Character recipient.

Basketball

Women: Sophomore Peyton Banks was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Player of the Year to lead the Saints. The sophomore averaged 15.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during the regular season and led the nation in free throw percentage (92.8 percent). Senior Demi Russell also earned a spot on the first team after averaging 15.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game during the regular season. Banks became only the second player in program history to earn first team NAIA All-American honors, while Russell was selected to the third team. Sophomore Kelsey Wyman was named second team all-conference, with senior Kiana Votava earning a spot on the WHAC All-Defensive Team, All-Academic Team and was the team’s Champions of Character recipient. Also earning WHAC All-Academic honors were Marcia Hawkins-Day, Ashley Nicosia, Dakota Spears and Addyson Tomczak. The 18th ranked Saints (27-6) received an at-large bid to the 32-team NAIA National Tournament, losing to Bryan (Tenn.) in the first round, 72-68. SHU was 17-3 in the conference.

Men: Seniors DeMarco Dickerson and Keith Jordan Jr. were each named first team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference to lead the Saints. Dickerson averaged 20.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season, while Jordan averaged 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest. Senior DeMarco Dickerson was named an honorable mention NAIA All-American. He also finished with more than 1,000 career points. Kevin Smith II was named to the WHAC All-Defensive Team, and was also the team’s Champions of Character Award recipient. Senior Jon Hovermale and Dickerson were also members of the WHAC All-Academic Team. The Saints finished 13-18 overall, 9-11 in the conference.

Lacrosse

Women: Seven Saints earned spots on the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic Team, including seniors Mackenzie Fisette, Danielle LaPointe, Katherine Tapia and Natalie Williams and juniors Marissa Cirino, Elizabeth Elliott and Mariah Smythe. Smythe was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. Cirino also earned a spot on the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team. The Saints were 2-2 on the season before the coronavirus pandemic cut short the remainder of the schedule.

Men: Seniors Nolan Lyons and Parker Richards and junior Hunter Zieman were named to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic team. Senior Ryan Mamo was the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. The Saints were 0-2 on the season before the coronavirus pandemic cut short the remainder of the schedule.

 Golf

Women: Juniors Jaclyn Fanola and Dakota Spears were each named to the All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference second team. Fanola had a 84.2 average and Spears an 86.5 average. Earning spots on the conference All-Academic Team were seniors Gabrielle Anderson and Madisyn Reed and juniors Jaclyn Fanola, Mya Price and Spears. Anderson was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. The spring season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Men: Three Saints were honored by the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Senior Aaron Bitz and junior Nate Hamilton earned spots on the conference All-Academic Team, while senior James Monteith was the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. The spring season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Softball

Seniors Jordan Bianchi, Taylor Mowery, Erika Schwartz and Lauren Valdez each earned spots on the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Freshman Maddie Luebke was the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. The Saints were 6-6 on the season before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the remainder of the schedule.

Baseball

Seniors Delver Freites and Michael Jones and juniors Marcus Beeson, Jacob Simmers and Andrew Werth each earned spots on the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Simmers was also the recipient of the team’s Champions of Character award. The Saints were 3-16 on the season before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the remainder of the schedule.