Troy, NY--- The Sage Colleges athletic department gathered this week at the Mohawk River Country Club and Chateau to bestow the program’s top awards for the 2009-2010 academic year.  Sage, which now boasts 10 varsity athletic teams that compete as an NCAA Division III member and a full-member of the Skyline Athletic Conference, handed out a Gator of the Year award as the team’s Most Valuable Player Award in each sport as well as other honors at the banquet as athletic department staff, the college’s dignitaries, families and friends gathered to salute the excellence that occurred in 2009-2010 at Sage. By next fall, Sage will field 12 varsity teams with the addition of men’s cross country and men’s soccer to the fold.

2009-2010 Sage Athletic Award Honorees

2009-2010 Sage Athlete of the Year:                       Kellie Jones (Troy, NY/Troy) Women’s Volleyball and Softball

            (This outstanding two-sport student-athlete at Sage College, not only played women’s volleyball and softball, but excelled during her career in both sports. She would leave her name in the record books in both sports and served as a team captain for both teams as well. She graduated with a 3.6 grade-point-average as a member of the accelerated physical therapy program at Sage and is currently working on her graduate degree. Her leadership skills and athletic ability are unmatched and was named the recipient of the Sage Athlete of the Year for her dynamic ability on and off the playing field.

2009-2010 Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award:

            (In her nearly forty-year career at Sage, Aggie was a friend, mentor, professor, class advisor, coach, and the Gators’ biggest fan. She radiated pride and enthusiasm in everything she did, while embodying the Sage spirit of patience and perseverance against any odds. Aggie waged a personal battle with cancer for over 20 years and finally succumbing to the disease on May, 13, 2008. She is missed every day.  In her honor, we will bestow the Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award to the person affiliated with Sage Athletics that best exemplifies those traits, which made Aggie so special.

            Jessica Byerwalters (Jr., Coeymans Hollow, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) Women’s Basketball

(The women’s basketball team’s leading scorer this year, Jessica overcame both personal crisis and physical ailments to lead the Gators with her efforts as the top scorer and a leader and exemplified the traits of the award’s namesake.)

2009-2010 ECAC Merit Award:         Nicole Corbett (Jr., East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) Women’s Volleyball

            (A two-time Skyline Conference All-Star in women’s volleyball, Nicole Corbett has excelled on the court and in the classroom at Sage. A 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District nominee, she is a education and math major at Sage with a 3.8 grade-point-average, having helped the team to back-to-back Skyline Conference Championship titles in 2007 and 2008 as well as the college’s first and only NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. Active on campus and in the community, Nicole is a member of the math club at Sage and works as a math tutor, while also volunteering as a Miracle League volunteer.)

Sage Gators Fan of the Year:            Dean Sharon Robinson, Dean of Russell Sage College

(This is a new award this year, that will be bestowed a member of the Sage community that has shown outstanding support of all student-athletes.)

2009-2010 Sage Athletic Honor Society:

 (The Sage College’s Intercollegiate Athletic Honor Society recognizes junior, senior, or graduate level student-athletes, who have maintained a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.2 or better and have participated as a member of a varsity team for at least two seasons.)

Allison Bishop (Jr., Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), Softball                                                

Ashley Brennan (Jr., Loudonville, NY/Colonie Central), Women’s Tennis

Sarah Briggs (Jr., Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), Women’s Soccer

Nicole Corbett (Jr., East Greenbush, NY/Columbia), Women’s Volleyball

*Amanda Crans   (Sr., Watkins Glen, NY/Watkins Glen), Women’s Basketball

Carlin DeMarinis (Sr., Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs), Women’s Basketball

Jaime Handford (Jr., Berlin, NY/Berlin), Softball

Cheryce Harvey (Jr., Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor), Women’s Volleyball   

*Kellie Jones (Gr., Troy, NY/Troy), Women’s Volleyball and Softball

Nicole Killeen (Jr., Petersburgh, NY/Berlin), Women’s Soccer

Alexander Milkman (Jr., Chester, VT/Green Mountain Union), Men’s Tennis         

Amber Muir (Sr., Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons), Women’s Basketball

Sarah Peacock (Jr., Duanesburg, NY/Duanesburg), Women’s Volleyball

Gabrielle Piccione (Jr., West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham), Women’s Lacrosse

Amanda Potter (Jr., Schenectady, NY/Schalmont), Women’s Soccer

Elias Ruhland (Gr., Nassau, NY/Columbia), Men’s Golf

Karalin Weilacher (Sr., Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga), Women’s Lacrosse

*Indicates Previous Inductee

2009-2010 Sage Sport-by-Sport Awards and honorees

            (Gator of the Year is the team’s Most Valuable Player Award)

Men’s Golf:

Gator of the Year:      Mike Triscari (Sr., Troy, NY/LaSalle Institute)

(The team’s captain in 2009-2010, he finished the year with five consecutive under 100 rounds of golf to leads the Gators. He earned a spot on the 2009 Skyline Conference Fall Scholar-Athlete Team for his accomplishments on the course and in the classroom.)

            Ironman Award:        Joshua Weaver (So., Sandlake, NY/Averill Park)

            (Another of the Sage 2009 Skyline Conference Fall Scholar-Athlete Team honorees, Joshua excelled for the team as he took to the course in every event this past year.)

            Sportsman of the Year: Elias Ruhland (Gr., Nassau, NY/Columbia)

            (A member of the team from its inception last year, Elias has been leader for the younger members of the team through his values and excellence on and off the course. A member of Sage’s S.A.A.C., he has attended the annual Skyline Conference S.A.A.C. meetings as a representative from Sage.)

Women’s Tennis:

            Gator of the Year:      Christina Gray (Sr., Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa)

                        (She was named 2009 Skyline Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Year to earn the award for the second straight year. She boasted a 13-2 singles record with an 11-3 doubles record and finished her career with a perfect 17-0 record in Skyline Conference singles action over two seasons with a 14-2 conference doubles record during the same time span. Gray came to Sage from SUNY-Cobleskill is a former ITA Junior College National Singles Champion having won the singles crown in 2006. She has also attained a USTA National ranking in the under 16 and under 14 age groups during her career.  She finished the 2009 season riding a seven-match win streak in singles play as well as a seven-match win streak in doubles action. Overall on her singles career as a Gator, she is 24-3, while owning a 22-4 record in doubles.)

            Most Improved Player:         Briana Bixler (So., Highland, NY/Highland)

                        (She finished the 2009 season with a 9-4 record in singles play and had several match-winning points to lift Gators to key victories on the campaign. She also added a 4-6 record in doubles on the season.)

            Newcomer of the Year:         Erica Fitzgerald (So., Queensbury, NY/Queensbury)

(Fitzgerald had a banner first season for the Gators as she held down the No. 2 spot in the singles ladder and teamed with Gray at first doubles. Among the many highlights for the team this fall, Gray and Fitzgerald became the first players from Sage to compete at the prestigious ITA Northeast Regional Singles and Doubles Championships in late September. Fitzgerald posted an impressive record of 9-5 in singles this past fall, while adding an 11-3 record in the lineup at first doubles and was named to the 2009 Skyline Conference Women’s All-Star First Team.)

Women’s Soccer:

            Gator of the Year:      Ashley Allain (Jr., MF, Stillwater, NY/Stillwater)

            (She was named to the 2009 Skyline Conference All-Star Women’s Soccer Team First-Team for the second time after serving as the team’s tri-captain. She led the team and the league with her 0.62 assists per game average after tallying four goals, 10 assists and 18 points this past fall, which was second best on the 2009 squad. She was also tapped as the 2009 Skyline Conference Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year and set Sage’s single-season assist record in 2009 with her 10 assists and holds the Sage career assist record with 22 in just three seasons. She brings 12 career goals with 22 assists, good enough for 46 career points in her three campaigns with Sage and stands seventh on the career total point list entering her senior season.)

            Most Improved Player:         Krystal Cozzens (Sr., F, Cohoes, NY/Cohoes)

            (Since her arrival at Sage, Krystal helped the Gators earn three straight post-season berths as a member of the soccer team after never playing the sport in high school.  A four-year letterwinner and a team captain this past fall, she helped the squad with her outstanding play on the pitch.  An accomplished scholar-athlete, Krystal is a nursing major at Sage. On her career, she played in 58 games, making seven starts. She added 12 goals with and three assists in four seasons, while her six goals in 2009 was a personal-best. She added the game-winning goal this fall in the team’s 4-1 win over SUNY-Cobleskill in early September.)

            Coaches’ Award:        Rebecca Marszalek (So., F, Adams, MA/Hoosac Valley)

            (She finished the season with a selection to the 2009 Skyline Conference All-Star First Team as well as the first ECAC All-Star Women’s Soccer Second Team after leading the Gators in scoring for the second straight year. She racked up 15 goals with two assists and 32 points on the year, while connecting on five game-winning goals. In just two years on the team, she already ranks third on the Sage career goals list with 29, and fourth in points with 63.)

Women’s Volleyball:

            Gator of the Year:      Nicole Corbett (Jr., MH, East Greenbush, NY/Columbia)

(She was a repeat honoree on the Skyline Conference Women’s Volleyball All-Star First Team after leading the team as a tri-captain in 2009. Helped the team with her excellent play on the court as she was a candidate for both the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team and the AVCA All-America Team. Over the course of the year, she earned four selections to the Skyline Conference weekly honor roll and was tapped as the Player of the Week once. She closed the 2009 regular-season with a spot on the Vassar College Invitational All-Tournament Team. She was the Gators' team leader with her .291 attack percentage this past fall. She added 275 kills with a total of 117 blocks. For the 2009 Skyline Conference Tournament, she average 3.18 kills per set with 1.27 blocks with a .382 attacking percentage. She finishes the season ranked second all-time in career total blocks with 378. She is just 61 blocks shy owning the career record. She is also currently in fourth place on the career kills list with 905. Overall on the year, the junior started all 124 sets and her 117 total blocks ranks fourth in single-season performance at Sage.)

            Most Improved Player:         Kelsey Wilson (So., L, Schenectady, NY/Bishop Gibbons)

(Kelsey was named the most improved player as she made the switch in positions this year and excelled as the team’s libero. She finished the season having played in all 34 matches and led the squad with her 436 digs which was good enough for fourth in the Skyline Conference as she averaged 3.69 digs per set. She added 28 serving aces and became a force in her new role as a defensive specialist.)

            Coaches’ Award:        Kellie Jones (Sr., OH, Troy, NY/Troy)

            (She was named to the 2009 Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team for her play this past season after she connected for 257 kills with 355 digs. In the Skyline Tournament, she added 24 digs with 29 kills. Overall on her Sage career, she ranks among the leaders in several categories. She racked up 675 kills, which is seventh best in program history. She added 1,198 career digs, which is fourth best. She also added 182 career serving aces, which is also fourth best. On her 2009 campaign, she added 50 serving aces in 124 sets played and started. At the beginning of the 2009 season, she was named to the Union College Invitational All-Tournament Team and was selected the Skyline Conference Volleyball Player of the Week on September 21.)

Women’s Basketball:

Gator of the Year:      Jessica Byerwalters (Jr., G/F, Coeymans Hollow, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk)              (In her first season with the team, this talented player made her impact with the Gators as she was the team’s high scorer with 299 points and a 12.5 ppg average. She ranked 10th in the league in scoring and ninth in FG%, having shot 42.5% from the floor (105-246). She scored in double digits 16 times on the season was the team’s high scorer on nine different occasions. She added 6.4 rpg as well with 50 assists and 47 steals. She added her name to the single-season record book at Sage as she ranks second with 125 free throw attempts and fourth in free throws made with 82.

            Leadership Award:    Amanda Crans (Sr., G, Watkins Glen, NY/Watkins Glen)

            (A team captain for the Gators in 2009-2010, Amanda was a leader for Sage on and off the court. She  averaged 4.3 ppg with 21.3 minutes played per game after starting 23 of 24 games played on the campaign. She wraps her stellar career having played in 81 games, which ranks eighth on the Sage career list, while her  63 career three-point baskets to rank sixth all-time at Sage. She also added 284 points and 99 rebounds in her four years on the team.)

            Coaches’ Award:        Ashleigh Nelson (Fr., G, Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy)

            (A newcomer to the team, this past year, Ashleigh brought an incredible attitude to the team and was a positive force on and off the court with her positive nature. She played in all 24 games in her first season and became a valuable asset for the Gators during her first season.)

Men’s Basketball:

            Gator of the Year:      Matt Farbotko (Fr., F, Rouses Point, NY/Northeastern Clinton)

(Selected as the 2009-2010 Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year, Matt was a leader for the Gators in numerous ways. By season’s end, he was the only player to have started every contest and led the team with his 351 points and 179 rebounds. He finished the season with a streak of 17 consecutive double-digit scoring efforts and was the league’s highest scoring freshman in 2009-2010. He averaged 14.0 points with 7.2 rpg and shot a team-high 54.1% from the floor. Over the course of the season, he was named Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week twice, while earning three selections to the league’s honor roll.)

            Best Teammate Award:         Jeff Stopera (Fr., G, Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville)

            (Jeff was not only recognized for his strong level of play, but for his leadership on and off the courts for Sage in the team’s inaugural season. By season’s end, he had paced the Gators with his 103 assist and 61

steals. He finished the season ranked fourth in the Skyline Conference with his 4.12 assists per game, while he was also ranked second in steals (2.44 per game). He also added a 1.54 assist to turnover ratio to rank

third in the league after finishing with a 4.5 ppg and 3.1 rpg average in 25 games. He started 20 games

this year and averaged 26.8 minutes a game.)

            Most Improved Player:         Mason Horne (Fr., G, Albany, NY/LaSalle Institute)

(Mason made a dramatic improvement in his game after moving into the team’s starting lineup mid-year. By season’s end, he had earned a selection as the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week once and added a 10.6 ppg average on 264 points with a 3.8 rpg average. He started 17 of 25 games on the year with 35 assists and 21 steals and finished with double-digit scoring performances 14 times and was the high-scorer on four separate occasions.)

Men’s Volleyball:

            Gator of the Year:      Kyle Ray (Fr., S/OH, Horseheads, NY/Horseheads)

            (A leader on the first men’s volleyball team at Sage, Kyle served as a team co-captain this year. By year’s end, he was named to the 2010 Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team after he added 279 digs, which led the team and ranked fourth in the league. He finished the season with a team-leading 272 kills, good enough for a 3.32 kills per set average. He also ranked among the NCAA Division III statistical leaders as he finished fifth nationally with his 3.4 digs per set average. Ray ranked sixth in the Skyline Conference with his per set average and added 26 serving aces as well in his 82 sets played on the year. He was a two-time Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week for the Gators.)

            Rookie of the Year:    Anthony Gerace (Fr., S/Opp, East Greenbush, NY/Columbia)

            (The Gators’ other co-captain, Anthony closed his first season ranked among the national leaders in setting assists as he was 30th in Division III. He handed out an impressive 618 setting assists and finished the year ranked fourth in the conference with 7.54 per set. He also added 46 total blocks and ranked ninth with his 0.49 per set average. He was another of the young Gators having earned Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week honors twice this past season. He also contributed 58 kills and 146 digs with a team-high 29 serving aces.)

            Most Improved Player:         Ryan Couch (Fr., MH, Nyskayuna, NY/Colonie)

            (Over the course of the 2010 season, Ryan made significant strides in his game with the Gators. He capped the season by earning Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week in the final week of the season for Sage.

The middle hitter tallied 109 kills with 121 digs on the year, while adding 40 blocks.)

Women’s Lacrosse:

            Gator of the Year:      Gabrielle Piccione (Jr., MF, West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham)

            (A team leader for the young Gators, Gabrielle elevated her game and that of the players on the field with her this past year. By season’s end, she had racked up eight goals with 18 ground ball pickups, 12 draw controls and forced six turnovers.)

            Players’ Choice Award:         Karalin Weilacher (Sr., MF, Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga)

            (Karalin was named the recipient of the Players’ Choice Award for her leadership skills and the commitment to the program. A member of the team’s club team in 2008, she was an instrumental force in the elevation of the program to varsity status in 2009. She served as a team co-captain in 2010 and wrapped her career with a personal-best seven goals with two assists. She was also rewarded for her play in 2010 with a selection to the Skyline Conference Women’s Lacrosse Weekly Honor Roll.)

            Rookie of the Year:    Erika Jackson (Fr., MF, Cortland, NY/Dryden)

            (Erika made significant improvement in her game over the course of the season and played and started all 13 games for the Gators. She added one goal from her midfield position with 18 ground ball pickups, three draw controls and four caused turnovers.)

Softball:

            Gator of the Year:      Kellie Jones (Gr., SS, Troy, NY/Troy)

            (The 2010 Sage leader at the plate for the softball team, Kellie was a dominant force in the league this season after she batted .426 to ranking seventh in the Skyline Conference this year. She closed her stellar career with numerous single-game and career marks. Among the many highlights the three-time team captain set were most doubles in a season (14) and career 36), and most home runs in a season (6). She finished her career with a .380 average (11th best), after playing in 125 games (3rd) with 376 at bats (2nd), with 143 hits (2nd), 36 doubles (1st), 8 triples (5th), 13 home runs (2nd), with 87 runs scored (2nd), 56 RBIs (7th)and 23 stolen bases (5th). For the 2010 season, Jones batted a team-high .426 with 12 doubles, 2 triples and a team-best 6 home runs, while driving in 17 runs and scoring 24 runs and ranked among the top five offensively in the conference in sixth different categories.)

            Rookie of the Year:    Gabriella Skillen (Fr., P, Milford, NY/Milford Central)

            (Gabriella finished her first season with a dramatic streak to help etch her name into Sage’s record books. She would appear in 23 games as a pitcher for Sage and stands fifth all-time for most appearances in a season at Sage, while her 115.2 innings pitched in 2010 ranks, eighth highest in single-season efforts. She added 14 complete games along the way to rank eighth highest, while her six wins in seventh best at Sage for a season. Along the way, she struck out 40 (8^th), and racked up a 4.42 ERA which is ninth best. She ranked fourth in the Skyline Conference in appearances and fifth in innings pitched and held the opposition to a .337 average at the plate.)

            Coaches’ Award:        Meghan Welcome (So., 3B, Cohoes, NY/Cohoes)

            (In her second season with the Gators, she emerged as a leader having served as a captain in 2010. She provided strength to the team both on and off the field and by season’s end had played and started every game at third base, while batting .232 with six doubles and two home runs, while ranking third on the team with her 18 RBIs.)

Men’s Tennis:

            Gator of the Year:      Alex Milkman (Jr., Chester, VT/Green Mountain Union)

            (Alex Milkman put his name in the Sage men’s tennis record books as he became the first player in the history of the young program to win a singles’ match. He would pick up the win early in the season as he defeated his opponent from Castleton State at No. 6 singles. By season’s end, he would provide the team with a spark as the captain and helped the Gators to the program’s first team win as they beat Green Mountain College, 6-3.)

            Most Improved Player:         Joshua Hewitt (So., Albany, NY/Green Hope)

            (After a winless season a year ago, Joshua Hewitt made significant improvements in his game this season and would also earn a win in singles play and added a pair of wins in doubles action to help establish a new standard for future teams.)

Newcomer of the Year:         Elijah Fagan-Solis (Sr., Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk)

            (Despite his senior status, Elijah Fagan-Solis really elevated his game in 2010 to earn newcomer of the year. He helped to build the foundation for future men’s tennis teams at Sage and was 1-11 this season at third singles. He added a record two wins as well in doubles action this year and ranks among the young program’s single-season leaders.)