2007

2007-08 NEWS ARCHIVE

Week of May 5, 2008

PITT-BRADFORD'S KUSHNER, LAKE ERIE'S BINKO NAMED CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR FOR SOFTBALL
5/6/08

A pair of big-hitting juniors head the 2008 AMCC Softball All-Conference Team. Pitt-Bradford outfielder Michelle Kushner (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum) who hit .448 this season with a .750 slugging percentage, and Lake Erie first baseman Brittney Binko (Warren, OH/John F. Kennedy) with a .435 batting average and .702 slugging percentage, were named the Co-Players of the Year. Newcomer of the Year honors went to Lake Erie freshman third baseman Katie Puda (Euclid, OH/Euclid), who also stood out at the plate (.417 BA, 40 RBI, 10 HR). Medaille College's Robyn Ventura got the nod for Coach of the Year, a first-time honor for her, after leading the Lady Mavs to the conference's regular season title and an ECAC Upstate Region Tournament bid.

Click here for the complete softball all-conference team.

The National Fast Pitch Coaches Association also announced their all-region teams today, and the AMCC was represented in two regions. Lake Erie placed three players in the Central region: Shaina Vanderpool (at-large) on the first team and Katie Puda (third base) and Brinney Binko (first base) on the second team. Pitt-Bradford saw two players make the East region team: Michelle Kushner (outfield) on the second team and Lauryn Weaver (catcher) on the third team.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF MAY 5
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
5/5/08

Softball Player: Lauren Lubic, Penn St. Behrend
Softball Pitcher: Katelyn Coffey, Frostburg State
Baseball Player: Josh Beimel, Pitt-Bradford
Baseball Pitcher: Ben McCracken, Pitt-Bradford

Week of April 28, 2008

BEHREND SOFTBALL COMES BACK TO WIN AMCC TITLE
5/5/08

The Penn State Behrend softball team won five straight games, picking up four wins on Sunday alone to capture the AMCC Championship. The squad rallied after losing a game on Friday in the double-elimination tournament, winning their next five games to storm back and capture their second championship in three seasons. They defeated Frostburg St. in back-to-back games (2-0 and 9-1) to earn the title.

The Behrend Lions move on to play in their second ever NCAA championship tournament. They are seeded #7 in the East region and will face #2 Ramapo College, the New Jersey Athletic Conference champion, on Thursday at 4pm at Ithaca College.

Lake Erie College, which finished in second place in the regular season, received a bid to the ECAC Division III South Region Tournament as the No. 5 seed and will travel to No. 3 seed
Alvernia for a first-round game on Wednesday at 2 p.m. The winner will advance to Washington & Jefferson for a four-team, double-elimination weekend tournament.

BASEBALL DOWN TO FINAL FOUR TEAMS FOR TOURNAMENT
5/4/08

The final pairings are finally set for the AMCC baseball tournament, to be held at Penn St. Behrend May 9-11. Defending champion Frostburg St. earned the #2 seed and will face #3 Lake Erie College at 9:30am on Friday, while the top seeded Behrend Lions will take on #4 Pitt-Bradford at 1pm. Lake Erie advanced by beating #6 Penn St. Altoona, 2-0 and 6-4, on Sunday, while UPB took a pair of games from #5 Pitt-Greensburg, 4-0 and 6-4. The winner of the championship round will also get the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

PENN ST. BEHREND MEN'S BASKETBALL EARN NATIONAL STATISTICS AWARD
5/1/08

Penn St. Behrend, the 2008 AMCC men's basketball champion, has been recognized by the NCAA for their outstanding defensive play. The Behrend Lions finished the season ranked #1 in the nation among all Division III teams for their scoring defense, allowing opponents a paltry 54.6 ppg. They also ranked 10th in scoring margin and 11th in win-loss percentage, concluding the season with a 24-5 record.

SOFTBALL, BASEBALL TOURNAMENT FIELDS FINALLY SET
4/29/08

A very competitive regular season in both softball and baseball meant the tournament fields were not decided until the last out was made, but the party invitations are finally out.

Softball will feature regular season champion Medaille College (16-2) as the #1 seed with Lake Erie College (15-3) as #2. Both squads will receive byes in the opening games of the six team, double elimination tournament starting Friday, May 2 at 10am. The tournament will be played at Hilbert College. The first game on Friday will feature #3 Penn St. Behrend vs. #6 Pitt-Greensburg, and game 2 will match defending champion and #4 seed Pitt-Bradford against #5 Frostburg St. The championship is scheduled for Sunday, May 4. The winner will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

On the baseball side, top seeded Penn St. Behrend will play host to a four team, double elimination event May 9-11. Defending champion Frostburg St. earned the #2 seed and will get a first round bye along with the Behrend Lions. The winner of the championship round will also get the conference invitation to the NCAA tournament.

The first round games next Saturday (May 3) will slate #3 Lake Erie College at home against #6 Penn St. Altoona, while #5 Pitt-Greensburg. will travel to #4 Pitt-Bradford.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF APRIL 28
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
4/28/08

Baseball Player: Jon Gray, Penn St. Behrend
Baseball Pitcher: Freddy Foshay, Frostburg State
Softball Player: Rachel Parker, Hilbert
Softball Pitcher: Julie Koman, Penn St. Behrend

Week of April 21, 2008

PITT-BRADFORD'S MCCRACKEN GETS ECAC PITCHING AWARD
4/23/08

Pitt-Bradford junior Ben McCracken (Bradford, PA/Bradford) has been named the ECAC Div. III South Region Co-Pitcher of the Week. He is the second AMCC pitcher to be recognized by the ECAC this season. McCracken went the distance in a 6-1 decision over AMCC rival Mount Aloysius, fueling the Panthers to a 5-win week in conference play and keeping their tournament hopes alive. The junior sat down 12 batters while walking none, scattering 6 hits and allowing no earned runs. McCracken currently ranks #1 in the AMCC in opposing BA (.196), strikeouts (55) and #3 in ERA (2.59).

THREE FROM AMCC SELECTED FOR ECAC HONORS
4/23/08

Three AMCC basketball players have earned post-season recognition by the ECAC. For the women, Medaille senior Amanda Baker (Lyons, NY/Newark) was named to the the Div. III South Region First Team, while Pitt-Bradford junior Katie Moore (Warren, PA/Warren) was selected for the second team. Baker, who averaged 15.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg, led her team to the AMCC championship for the third straight year. Moore was the AMCC Women's Player of the Year, leading the league in scoring with a 20.1 ppg average. For the men, Hilbert College senior Dallas Reinard (Smethport, PA/Smethport) was also a second team honoree. He averaged 21.4 ppg and 6.8 rpg for the Hawks.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF APRIL 21
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
4/21/08

Softball Player: Brooke Tapman, Frostburg St.
Softball Pitcher: Amanda Westling, Medaille
Baseball Player: John Shaposka, Lake Erie
Baseball Pitcher: Ben McCracken, Pitt-Bradford
Week of April 14, 2008

Week of April 14, 2008

PITT-BRADFORD'S KUSHNER GETS ECAC SOFTBALL
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOD
4/18/08

Pitt-Bradford senior centerfielder Michelle Kushner (McKees Rocks, PA/Sto-Rox) is the third AMCC softball player to be selected as ECAC Player of the Week for the Div. III South region this season. Kushner hit an eye-popping .704 for the Panthers in 8 games last week, going 19 for 27 with 13 runs scored and 6 RBI. In a doubleheader versus Hilbert, she was a perfect 8 for 8 with 7 runs scored, and a career high 5 stolen bases in Game 2. For the week she recorded 5 doubles, a home run, 5 walks, no strikeouts, and was a perfect 8-8 in stolen base attempts.

MEN'S TENNIS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
4/17/08

A pair of freshmen have been voted the AMCC's best men's tennis players for 2008. Penn St. Altoona's Jake Fleet (Holland, PA/Council Rock North), who was undefeated at #1 singles all season, and Penn St. Behrend's Elliot Blackstone (Wexford, PA/Pine-Richland), who sported a perfect record at #2 singles and #2 doubles, were voted as Co-Players of the Year. Blackstone was also recognized as the conference Newcomer of the Year. Penn St. Behrend head coach Jeff Barger was named Coach of the Year. Barger guided his squad to the AMCC title last weekend after completing an undefeated regular season in conference competition.

Click here for the complete all-conference team.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF APRIL 14
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
4/14/08

Men's Tennis: Elliot Blackston, Penn St. Behrend
Softball Player: Michelle Kushner, Pitt-Bradford
Softball Pitcher: Taylor Kimmel, Pitt-Greensburg
Baseball Player: Brandon Lumadue, Medaille
Baseball Pitcher: Ben Cain, Penn St. Behrend

Week of April 7, 2008

PENN STATE BEHREND WINS MEN'S TENNIS TITLE
4/13/08

Penn St. Behrend, undefeated in conference play in the regular season, lived up to their #1 ranking by winning the 2008 AMCC men's tennis tournament. It was the Behrend Lions' first championship since 2004, and third overall.

The squad was led by by a pair of freshmen, Elliot Blackstone and Jon Henderson, who teamed up to win the #2 doubles title and then followed up with singles titles, Blackstone at #2 and Henderson at #5. Penn St. Altoona freshman Nick Erb was also a double winner, taking the #3 doubles crown with partner Stephen Penn as well as the #6 singles title.

Click here for complete tournament results.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF APRIL 7
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
3/31/08

Softball Player: Amanda Baker, Medaille
Softball Pitcher: Amanda Westling, Medaille
Baseball Player: Keith Borman, La Roche
Baseball Pitcher: David Koerbel, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Tennis: Matt Chisholm, Frostburg State

Week of March 31, 2008

539 STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE
4/4/08

More than 500 AMCC student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.2 or higher in the past year, qualifying them for academic all-conference honors. The AMCC is proud to recognize these student-athletes in conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day on Sunday, April 6.

Every member institution also has the opportunity to select highly achieving scholar athletes for induction into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Collegiate Student-Athlete Honor Society. Chi Alpha Sigma is open to varsity letter winners in their junior or senior year with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4.

Click here for the complete list of honorees.

FOUR AMCC COACHES SELECTED FOR NCAA ACADEMY
4/3/08

Four AMCC coaches have been selected to participate in the prestigious NCAA Women's Coaches Academy this summer. Frostburg State basketball coach Jody Pepple and Penn State Altoona swimming and diving coach Nanette Nardozza-Cummings will be attending the Atlanta session, June 7-11, while Penn State Behrend softball coach Stacy Pondo and Penn State Altoona softball coach Nikki Runzo will travel to Denver for the session on May 28-June 1.

The Women's Coaches Academy is coordinated by Celia Slater, who conducted the "Winning Careers for Women in Athletics" seminar for AMCC student-athletes this past November.

LA ROCHE'S AVOLIO, LAKE ERIE'S PUDA GET ECAC HONORS
4/3/08

The AMCC added two more players to the ECAC weekly honor roll. La Roche baseball pitcher Phil Avolio (Eighty Four, PA/Canon McMillian) and Lake Erie softball third baseman Katie Puda (Euclid, OH/Euclid) were name ECAC Division III South Region Players of the Week for March 31.

Avolio earned two of the Redhawks' six wins last week, both complete games. Against Div. II Seton Hill, he allowed just 1 earned run and 1 walk while sitting down 6. He then shut out AMCC rival Medaille, striking out 5 and allowing just 8 hits and 2 walks. Puda led LEC to a 4-0 week in AMCC play after hitting .833 in 12 at-bats, making just 2 outs in the 4 games. Of her 10 hits, 8 were for extra bases, including 3 home runs. She had an on base percentage of .846 and a slugging percentage of 2.083. Puda also led the Storm with 9 runs and 13 RBI while helping the team maintain a 6-game winning streak and an undefeated AMCC record.

DIII NEWS RECOGNIZES THREE AMCC HOOPS STARS
3/31/08

DIII News, the monthly newsletter of NCAA Division III men’s and women's basketball, has named three AMCC student-athletes to their 2008 Honorable Mention All-American team. Hilbert College senior Dallas Reinard (Smethport, PA/Smethport), the AMCC Player of the year in 2007, followed up his junior campaign with first team All-AMCC honors this winter. The 6-4 guard averaged 21.4 ppg this past season en route to becoming the college’s all-time leading scorer with 1,810 career points. Pitt-Bradford junior Katie Moore (Warren, PA/Warren) was named on the women's side along with Medaille senior Amanda Baker (Lyons, NY/Newark). Leading the league in scoring with a 20.1 ppg average, Moore was the AMCC 2008 Player of the Year. Baker, a two-time conference Player of the Year honoree, averaged 15.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg en route to leading the Mavericks to their third straight conference title.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF MARCH 31
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
3/31/08

Baseball Player: Keith Borman, La Roche
Baseball Pitcher: Phil Avolio, La Roche
Men's Tennis: Erkin Nasirli, Penn St. Behrend
Softball Player: Katie Puda, Lake Erie
Softball Pitcher: Lauren Malicki, Lake Erie

Week of March 24, 2008

ALL-CONFERENCE SPORTSMANSHIP TEAMS ANNOUNCED

As part of a continuing emphasis on the importance of good sportsmanship and ethical conduct, the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference announces its first All-Conference Sportsmanship Team for the Winter 2007-08 season.

Members of the all-conference sportsmanship team are selected by their peers. They represent the highest level of positive sporting conduct as exemplified in competition, in practice, and when participating as a spectator at other teams' sporting events.

Click here for the complete list of the AMCC All-Conference Sportsmanship Team honorees.

FROSTBURG STATE'S COFFEY IS ECAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
3/27/08

Frostburg State pitcher Katelyn Coffey (Middletown, MD/Middletown) is the first AMCC softball player of the season to be selected for ECAC player of the week honors. The senior was 3-1 in 4 starts at the Myrtle Beach Snowbird tournament. In 24.2 innings of work, Coffey struck out 23, including a season-high 11 in a non-conference win over Mount Aloysius. She allowed just 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 14 hits as the Bobcats went 5-3 for the week.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF MARCH 24
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
3/25/08

Men's Tennis: Jake Fleet, Penn St. Altoona
Softball Player: Jena Isenberg, Mount Aloysius
Softball Pitcher: Katelyn Coffey, Frostburg St.
Baseball Player: Harry Konrad, Lake Erie
Baseball Pitcher: Seth Baumberger, Lake Erie

BEHREND'S BUCZYNSKI EARNS NABC HONORS
3/25/08

Penn State Behren senior Kevin Buczynski (Erie, PA/Villa Maria) and AMCC men's player of the year was selected by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) for the Division III All-District Team. Selections are voted on by member coaches of the NABC. He was also named to the 2008 men's basketball D3Hoops.com All-Great Lakes Region Team, where he received second team honors. Buczynski led the Behrend Lions with 466 points, averaging 16.1 ppg. He also led the team in rebounding, grabbing 193 off the boards this season for a 6.7 rpg. Buczynski will leave the blue and white as the second all-time points scorer in Behrend history with 1,689 points.

Week of March 17, 2008

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF MARCH 17
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
3/17/08

Baseball Player: Tony Petulla, Penn St. Altoona
Baseball Pitcher: Paul Keith, Penn St. Altoona
Softball Player: Nikki Kaschauer, Penn St. Behrend
Softball Pitcher: Julie Koman, Penn St. Berhend
Men's Tennis: Elliot Blackstone, Penn St. Behrend

FOUR AMCC STUDENT-ATHLETES SELECTED FOR NCAA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
3/17/08

Four student-athletes from La Roche and Medaille have been chosen to participate in the NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Workshop (formerly Leadership Conference) in Orlando, FL in late May. Carlton Falconer (basketball) and Gina Caracci (soccer) will represent La Roche, while Ben Dlugosh (lacrosse/cross country) and Danielle Radlich (soccer) will attend for Medaille. The conference includes student-athletes from all three divisions.

Week of March 10, 2008

PENN STATE BEHREND BUILDS LEAD IN PRESIDENTS CUP RACE
3/14/08

Penn State Behrend won three of four winter championships, and seven of 10 titles overall, to amass 77.5 points and extend its hold on first place in the AMCC Presidents Cup standings. The Behrend Lions lead second place Penn State Altoona by 10.5 points heading into the spring conference competition season. Click here for complete Presidents Cup results.

LAKE ERIE'S BETHEL CITED FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
3/14/08

Lake Erie College women’s soccer player Angela Bethel (Beavercreek, Ohio/Miami Valley) was one of 22 players to be selected to the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association (OSCA) 2007 All-Ohio Academic Women’s Soccer NCAA Division III Team. This is the second consecutive season the forward is among the 11 player first-team. This year, Bethel led the Storm in all offensive categories with 18 goals, six assists and 42 points, becoming the program’s all-time leader in goals (70) and points (160). The AMCC first team selection was also an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second-Team pick for the second straight year. She is majoring in business administration and mathematics.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF MARCH 10
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
3/10/08

Softball Player: Brittney Binko, Lake Erie
Softball Pitcher: Jess Walters, Mount Aloysius
Men's Tennis: Youssef Abdelwahab, Pitt-Greensburg
Baseball Player: Zac Coleman, La Roche
Baseball Pitcher: David Koerbel, Penn St. Behrend

Week of March 3, 2008

BUCZYNSKI, MOORE HEAD BASKETBALL ALL-STAR TEAMS
3/4/08

Penn St. Behrend center Kevin Buczynski (Erie, PA/Villa Maria) and Pitt-Bradford guard/forward Katie Moore (Warren, PA/Warren) are the AMCC men's and women's Players of the Year for 2008. Buczynski led the Behrend Lions to the AMCC title this season, averaging 15.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and a league-best 59.5 field goal percentage. Moore was the AMCC's leading scorer, averaging 20.1 ppg along with 5.0 rpg, and 2.3 spg.

Newcomer of the Year honors go to Lake Erie forward Alyssa Wagers (Stow, OH/Stow), who averaged 11.4 ppg and 11.3 rpg, and Pitt-Greensburg F Jacquet Wells (Washington, PA/Washington), who finished his freshman campaign with 12.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg.

Penn St. Behrend's David Niland and Penn State Altoona' Alan Seretti shared the Men's Coach of the Year award, while Pitt-Greensburg's Carol Gelet and Lake Erie's Bob Booher were named Co-Coaches of the Year for the women.

Click here for the complete all-conference team listings: Men Women

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF MARCH 3
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")
3/3/08

Women's Basketball: Amanda Baker, Medaille
Men's Basketball: Kevin Buczynski, Penn St. Behrend
Baseball Player: Bret Mitchell, Frostburg St.
Baseball Pitcher: Freddy Foshay, Frostburg St.

Week of February 25, 2008

PITT-BRADFORD'S BUTLER NOTCHES 200TH WIN

Pitt-Bradford baseball head coach Bret Butler earned his 200th career victory as the Pitt-Bradford baseball teamed opened the 2008 season by winning three out of four games in Virginia. On Saturday, the Panthers swept Lincoln University 12-2 and 11-1 in five innings.
Pitt-Bradford then split with Penn State-Harrisburg losing the first game 5-4 and winning the nightcap 11-1 in five innings on Sunday.

PENN STATE BEHREND WINS MEN'S TITLE, MEDAILLE TAKES WOMEN'S CROWN IN AMCC BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
Finals: Sat., Mar. 1
at Medaille College
#1 Medaille d. #3 Pitt-Greensburg, 69-55
Medaille: Amanda Baker - 18 points, 15 rebounds
Pitt-Greensburg: Nicole Reiser - 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists

Semifinals: Fri., Feb. 29
#1 Medaille d. #4 Penn St. Behrend, 50-26
Medaille: Amanda Baker - 14 points, 7 rebounds
PS-Behrend: Julia Andrus - 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

#3 Pitt-Greensburg d. #2 Lake Erie, 74-63
Pitt-Greensburg: Amanda Sheaffer - 25 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Lake Erie: Renese Ames, 17 points, 5 rebounds

MEN'S TOURNAMENT
Finals: Sat., Mar. 1
at Penn State Behrend
#1 Penn St. Behrend d. #2 Lake Erie, 57-54
PS-Behrend: Kevin Buczynski - 20 points, 8 rebounds
Lake Erie: Derrick Thornton - 19 points, 8 rebounds

Semifinals: Fri., Feb. 29
#1 Penn St. Behrend d. #4 Penn St. Altoona, 62-42
Behrend: Kevin Buczynski - 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks
Altoona: Mike Dancer - 11 points, 3 rebounds

#2 Lake Erie d. #6 Medaille, 71-66
Lake Erie: Derrick Thornton - 25 points, 6 rebounds
Medaille: James McNeill - 25 points

SPRING PRESEASON POLLS: PITT-BRADFORD PICKED FOR SOFTBALL, PENN STATE BEHREND IN BASEBALL

Defending champion Pitt-Bradford has gotten the coaches' nod to win their fifth AMCC softball championship in six years, while Penn State Behrend is favored to take home its first league baseball trophy since 2003.

Last season's AMCC Player of the Year and ECAC Division III Southern Player of the Year Nikki Kaschauer (South Park, PA/South Park) gets the nod as softball Preseason Player of the Year for 2008.
Teammate Julie Koman (McKees Rocks, PA/Montour HS) was selected as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

Baseball Preseason Player of the Year honors go to Pitt-Greensburg junior shortstop Matt Stanziano (Pittsburgh, PA/Brashear), who was the conference's most outstanding player in 2007. Penn State Behrend junior David Koerbel (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) is the AMCC baseball Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

The winners of both the baseball and softball tournaments will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournaments.

SWIMMING AND DIVING ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS RELEASED

AMCC men's and women's champions Penn State Behrend led the way in voting and performance for the 2008 AMCC swimming and diving all-conference teams.

Penn St. Behrend senior Dustin Fairchild (Corry, PA/Corry) is a repeat selection as the Men's Swimmer of the Year. He was the co-high point scorer at the AMCC championship meet, winning 3 individual and 2 relay events. Freshman Steve Graves (McMurry, PA/Peters Twp.) is the Diver of the Year. Co-Newcomers were also named: Penn St. Berhend freshman Ben Strunk (Cogan Station, PA/Williamsport), winner of the 100 breaststroke and a member of the winning 400 medley relay, and Penn St. Altoona freshman Matt Dietrich (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central), who finished first in the 200 IM and was part of the fastest 200 medley relay.

For the women, Frostburg State senior Shannon Dunnigan (Bel Air, MD/C. Milton Wright) was selected as Swimmer of the Year. Dominant in the distance events, Dunnigan won the 400 IM, the 1650 freestyle and the 200 butterfly, and was a member of the top 200 medley relay team. Penn St. Behrend freshman Krystal Kovach (Pittsburgh, PA/Chartiers Valley), who won both the Grove City Invitational and AMCC titles in the 1m. and 3m. events, was recognized as Diver of the Year. Newcomer of the Year honors were shared by Pitt-Bradford freshman Morgan Kinville (Fulton, NY/Hannibal), a titlist in the 200 and 500 freestyle events, and Penn St. Behrend freshman Katie VanEpps (Pleasantville, PA/Titusville), a member of the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relays as well as the 400 medley relay.

Penn State Behrend head coach Jen Wallance was selected as the Men's and Women's Coach of the Year for the second year running.

Click here for the complete all-conference teams: Men Women

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Basketball: Lindsey Bush, Mount Aloysius

Men's Basketball: Jade Belt, Frostburg State

PENN ST. ALTOONA BASEBALL PLAYER TO APPEAR ON "BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD"

Penn State Altoona 53-year-old baseball player John Wilson is quickly gaining both local and national attention as one of the oldest student-athletes in NCAA history. The Pittsburgh native, who has lived in Altoona more than 20 years, is set to be a featured guest on Fox Sports' "Best Damn Sports Show Period". The show is tentatively schedule to air tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 26, on Fox Sports Pittsburgh at 11:00 PM ET. Wilson is flying to Los Angeles today in preparation for taping on Tuesday. He will be joined on set with hosts Chris Rose, John Salley (ex-NBA player), Rodney Peete (ex-NFL player), and Rob Dibble (ex-MLB player) for a segment lasting approximately seven to eight minutes. Wilson already has been featured in an article that appeared in USA Today and just last week was the subject of a three minute segment on the 6:00 PM KDKA evening news in Pittsburgh. Tuesday will mark his debut on the television sports talk show circuit.

Wilson is a senior on the Lion baseball team, but his fascinating life story reaches far beyond the baseball diamond. He has been a player/coach for the squad over the last three years, and 2008 marks his final season of eligibility at Penn State Altoona. Nicknamed "The Difference Maker", Wilson spent the early part of his life overcoming drug and alcohol addiction and now tries to advise teammates and classmates about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse. With the support and friendship of some high profile names, John Wilson is on the path to graduation with hopes of returning to the counseling profession to continue helping others and making a difference.

Week of February 18, 2008

PENN STATE BEHREND MEN, MEDAILLE WOMEN TO HOST AMCC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

The final pairings are set for the AMCC mens' and women's basketball tournaments, with the deciding games played on the last day of the regular season. Penn St. Behrend will host the "final four" rounds of the men's basketball tournament next Friday and Saturday, February 29 and March 1. Medaille will have the same opportunity for the third year in a row as the number one seed for the women. Both Lake Erie teams earned the #2 seed in their respective tournaments.

The remaining fields and seeds are as follows:

WOMEN
First Round: Tues., Feb. 26 - 7pm
#6 Penn St. Altoona at #3 Pitt-Greensburg
#5 La Roche at #4 Penn St. Behrend
Semifinals: Fri., Feb. 29 (at Medaille College)
5pm: Winner 4v5 vs. #1 Medaille
8pm: Winner 3v6 vs. #2 Lake Erie
Finals: Sat., Mar. 1 - 3pm

PENN STATE BEHREND'S BUCZYNSKI SHARES ECAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

Penn St. Behrend forward Kevin Buczynski (Erie, PA/Villa Maria) has been named the ECAC Div. III South Region Co-Player of the Week. Buczynski propelled the first place Behrend Lions to their sixth straight conference win, recording 27.5 ppg and 10.0 rpg in a 2-0 week. Against Medaille the senior put up 24 points and snagged 9 rebounds, while his performance against La Roche included 31 points, 11 boards and 3 blocks. The league's most accurate shooter boasted a 69 FG% for the week, making 23 of 33 attempts.

MEDAILLE NAMES LEFEVRE TO COACH WOMEN'S SOCCER

The Medaille College women's soccer team will have a new leader. Chris Lefevre will be the fourth head coach in the program's history as he takes over for Dan Krzyzanowicz who was at the helm of the Lady Mavs from 2004-2007. Coach Lefevre was an assistant men's coach at Canisius College for one year before moving on to Genesee Community College where he was the head coach of the men's program for three seasons and the head women's coach for two years. In his three years with the GCC men's team he compiled a (40-17-1) overall record and he led them to the 2006 Regional Final Four and the 2007 Western New York Athletic Conference Championship. In his stint as the women's coach his teams went (20-15-0) and in 2006 they reached the Regional Final Four and were the Western New York Athletic Conference Champions.

PENN STATE BEHREND MEN, MEDAILLE WOMEN TO HOST AMCC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

In defeating Lake Erie tonight on their home court, the Penn St. Behrend men clinched the right to host the "final four" rounds of the AMCC basketball tournament next Friday and Saturday, February 29 and March 1. Medaille will have the same opportunity for the third year in a row as the number one seed for the women. Both Lake Erie teams earned the #2 seed in their respective tournaments.

The remaining fields and seeds remain up in the air for much of the tournament brackets. On the women's side, Pitt-Greensburg is the #3 seed and will host #6 Penn St. Altoona in the first round on Tuesday, Feb. 26, while Saturday's games will determine whether Penn St. Behrend or La Roche is the #4 seed and host on Tuesday.

For the men, the winner of Hilbert vs. Medaille will also take the prize of a berth in the tournament. Other teams already confirmed are Pitt-Greensburg, La Roche and Penn St. Altoona. The seeding for the 3-6 slots will be determined by the outcome of Saturday's contests.

PENN ST. BEHREND'S ANDRUS EARNS ESPN THE MAGAZINE ALL-DISTRICT ACADEMIC HONORS

Penn St. Behrend women's basketball standout Julia Andrus (Corry, PA/Corry) has been named to the ESPN The Magazine All-District Academic Third Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A year ago, Andrus garnered second-team honors. Andrus has averaged 12.8 points and 3.9 rebounds a contest while starting in all 23 of Behrend games to date in her senior campaign. She has recently entered the top-ten all-time scoring list at Behrend with a career total of 933 points. Off the court, Andrus carries an impressive 3.88 grade point average with a major in biology.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF FEBRUARY 18
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Swimming: Shannon Dunnigan, Frostburg St. and
Sara Breese, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Diving: Krystal Kovach, Penn St. Behrend

Men's Swimming: Dustin Fairchild and Tom Weir, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Swimming: Steve Graves, Penn St. Behrend

Women's Basketball: Amanda McHale, Hilbert

Men's Basketball: Kevin Buczynski, Penn St. Behrend

Week of February 11, 2008

PENN ST. BEHREND MEN AND WOMEN REPEAT AS SWIMMING/DIVING CHAMPIONS

For the second year in a row, Penn State Behrend has won both the men's and women's titles at the AMCC conference championship meet at the Grove City Invitational. Frostburg St. senior Shannon Dunnigan and Behrend junior Sara Breese tied for the high point scorer of the women's competition, while Behrend sophomore Tom Weir and senior Dustin Fairchild shared the award on the men's side. Freshman diver Krystal Kovach won both the overall 1m. and 3 m. diving titles. Click here for final results.

LAKE ERIE WOMEN SET NEW SCHOOL SCORING RECORDS

The Lake Erie College women's basketball team wore green uniforms at home for the first time this season which proved to be lucky as it totaled a program record 101 points in a win against Mount Aloysius College on Saturday. No Storm women's team has ever broken the century mark in 28 seasons of existence until today's 101-66 win.

Lake Erie totaled 23 points off the Mounties' 18 turnovers as the Storm bench scored 51 of the team's points. Freshman reserve guard Brittany Zele (Geneva, OH/Geneva) scored a career-high 19 points and led the team with five steals. The Storm also recorded a season-high 63 rebounds led by sophomore Tayla Parnell's (Warrensville Heights, OH/Warrensville Heights) 14, while dishing out a program record 25 assists led by freshman Renese Ames' (Bedford, OH/Bedford) six.

PITT-BRADFORD HIRES NEW WOMEN'S SOCCER COACH

Michael Idland is the new women’s soccer coach at Pitt-Bradford. He most recently served as an assistant women's coach at Canisius College and was an assistant coach with the women's program at Buffalo State from 2003-06. Idland was the captain of the New Jersey State Cup Under 18 champion SSC Cosmos-Rangers in 1998 and then was a goalkeeper/midfielder at Division III Cortland State (NY) from 1999 to 2001. The Westfield (NJ) native earned his undergraduate degree from Cortland (NY) State and a master's degree from the University of Buffalo.

LAKE ERIE'S THORNTON, PITT-GREENSBURG'S REISER SHARE ECAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

In an AMCC double play, Lake Erie College forward Derrick Thornton (University Heights, Oh/Lutheran East) and Pitt-Greensburg guard Nicole Reiser (Renfrew, PA/Knoch) have been named ECAC Division III South Region Players of the Week for February 11.

In leading his team to a 2-0 week on the road and their fifth straight win, Thornton earned his second consecutive conference player of the week award. The junior led the Storm in points (25.5 ppg), rebounds (7.5 rpg), steals (3.5 spg) and field goal percentage (74.1%). For his efforts Thornton was also named to D3Hoops.com Team of the Week. Reiser had an outstanding week as well, highlighted by the Bobcats' upset of #11 ranked Medaille, where she racked up 20 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists. The junior finished the week with 21.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 6.5 apg.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF FEBRUARY 11
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Basketball: Nicole Reiser, Pitt-Greensburg

Men's Basketball: Derrick Thornton, Lake Erie

Week of February 4, 2008

AMCC TEAMS "THINK PINK" IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Several AMCC women's basketball teams are staging events over the next 10 days as part of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) initiative to raise awareness--and in some cases, raise funds--for breast cancer treatment and prevention. The WBCA's "Think Pink" will run February 8-17 on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.

The Hilbert College women’s basketball team will be raising awareness while donning pink warm-up shirts. During the “Think Pink” stretch, the Hawks will showcase the pink warm-up shirts twice on the road and once at home. The Hawks will also be raising money for continued cancer research. Fans attending the Hawks’ February 16^th home game vs. Frostburg State will be able to make a donation to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Other AMCC members planning to participate are Frostburg State, La Roche, and Penn State Behrend.

ECAC TABS UPB'S MOORE AS WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR FEBRUARY 4

Pitt-Bradford guard/forward Katie Moore (Warren, PA/Warren HS) became the first AMCC women's basketball player this season to be named ECAC Division III South Region Player of the Week for the week of February 4. The AMCC scoring leader had another blistering week, lighting up two conference opponents with a 27.5 ppg scoring average. In a loss to nationally-ranked Medaille, Moore recorded 29 points and 5 rebounds. Shen then led the Panthers to a win over Mount Aloysius with a 26 point, 6 rebound, 2 assist performance.

AMCC SOCCER PLAYERS RECOGNIZED BY D3KICKS.COM

Five AMCC women's soccer players and five men's players have been named to D3Kicks.com all-region teams for 2007.

On the women's side, Medaille F Danielle Radlich earned first team honors in the New York region. The Great Lakes region includes Penn St. Behrend M Nikki Frisbee on the second team and Frostburg State M Jen Naylor, La Roche M Nicole Booth and Lake Erie F Angela Bethel on the third team.

For the men, Medaille M Gary Boughton was a first team pick for the New York squad and teammate Josh Meier made the second team. Penn St. Behrend GK Dustin Walker and Penn St. Altoona F Bryan Pierzga were selected to the Mid-Atlantic second team and Frostburg State M Adam Gracia earned third team honors.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF FEBRUARY 4
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Men's Swimming: Ben Strunk, Penn St. Behrend

Men's Diving: Steve Graves, Penn St. Behrend

Women's Swimming: Danielle Palski, Penn St. Behrend

Women's Diving: Krystal Kovach, Penn St. Behrend

Women's Basketball: Katie Moore, Pitt-Bradford

Men's Basketball: Derrick Thornton, Lake Erie

HILBERT'S MCHALE SURPASSES 1,000 CAREER REBOUNDS

Hilbert senior Amanda McHale (Bradford, PA/Archbishop Walsh) recorded her 1,000th career rebound in a loss to La Roche College on Saturday. Already the program's all-time leader, McHale now has 1,006 for her career. She is tied for second overall in the AMCC, averaging 10.0 rpg, to go with a 12.2 ppg scoring average and a league-best 3.46 bpg.

Week of January 28, 2008

MEDAILLE'S LONERGAN EARNS 100TH COACHING WIN

In his 127th game as head coach of the Lady Mavericks, basketball head coach Pete Lonergan earned his 100th victory as Medaille defeated Frostburg State, 56-38. Coach Lonergan now boasts a record of 100-27 for a winning percentage of .787. The win is the 18th consecutive for the #12 ranked Lady Mavs. They improve to 18-1 overall and stay perfect in conference play at 12-0.

BEHREND'S FYFFE, KOERBEL CITED AS "PLAYERS TO WATCH"

College Baseball magazine has named Penn State Behrend junior pitcher David Koerbel (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) and sophomore shortstop Josh Fyffe (Fredonia, PA/Sharpsville) to an elite list of Division III "Players to Watch."

Koerbel had an outstanding season last year posting a record of 5-1 in 11 appearances for the Behrend Lions. He led his team in innings pitched (53.1) and finished with an impressive 2.87 ERA, while striking-out 55. Koerbel was named to the 2007 All-AMCC squad. As a rookie, Fyffe played in 39 games a season ago as shortstop and proved he could compete with the best. He batted an impressive .394 and led the Behrend Lions with nine doubles and 33 RBIs. He was also named the AMCC Newcomer of the Year.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF JANUARY 28
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Swimming: Danielle Wilson, Penn St. Behrend

Women's Diving: Vita McHale, Penn St. Altoona

Men's Swimming: Bill Ford, Frostburg State

Women's Basketball: Renese Ames, Lake Erie

Men's Basketball: Richard McNutt, Mount Aloysius

Week of January 21, 2008

MILESTONES REACHED BY FOUR AMCC HOOPS STARS

Four AMCC student-athletes achieved statistical milestones during Saturday's games. Penn State Altoona senior Erin McGowan (Duncansville, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) hit on 7of 8 from three point range to set a new school single game record for three-pointers. As a team, the Lions shot 14 for 25 from beyond the arc which is also a team single game record. In the same game, Hilbert senior Amanda McHale (Bradford, PA/Archbishop Walsh) finished with a team-high 22 points to go with a game-high 15 rebounds, establishing her as the Hawks' all-time leading rebounder with her 983^rd carom. In the second game of the double-header, Hilbert senior Dallas Reinard (Smethport, PA/Smethport) became the Hawks' all-time leading scorer, racking up 16 points in a loss to Penn State Altoona. In Greensburg, UPG senior Tiffany Menhorn (Latrobe, PA/Latrobe) established a new Bobcat scoring record, also recorded 16 points in a losing effort to Lake Erie.

PENN STATE ALTOONA TABS RUNKO FOR SOFTBALL

Nikki Runzo has beem named the third head coach in Penn State Altoona women's softball history, taking over for Brenda Palmer, who stepped down after more than five years at the helm. A native of Blairsville, PA, Runzo was a four-year varsity letter winner and three-year starter at first base scholastically for the Blairsville Bobcats. She was named team captain and MVP as a junior and senior. Runzo graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2006 with a Health and Physical Education - Sport Management degree and is currently seeking a Masters of Science in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania. She was hired in December as the Assistant Director of Recreation at Penn State Altoona where she coordinates the intramural program and assists with daily operations.

PS-BEHREND'S KOVACH NAMED ECAC DIVER OF THE WEEK

Penn State Behrend freshman diver Krystal Kovach (Pittsburgh, PA/Chartiers Valley) has been named the ECAC Division III Diver of the Week. Kovach had an excellent weekend, proving she is the most talented female diver Behrend to date. Friday night vs. Chatham she won both the one and three meter boards (228.75 and 176.45) qualifying for ECAC's in the process. She came back on Saturday to once again win both diving competitions against Penn St. Altoona and Frostburg St. Her performance Saturday qualifies her for the NCAA meet, the first Behrend swimmer or diver to do so.

LAKE ERIE TO SPONSOR "GO GREEN" NIGHT

Lake Erie College, in partnership with Sports 'n Sports, is sponsoring Go Green Night this Thursday, Jan. 24 when the Storm basketball teams host Penn State-Behrend. The special event will not only support the Storm, but will bolster awareness for the environment.

The first 30 Lake Erie College students to present a nonalcoholic bottle or can at the door will receive a free Go Green t-shirt. All non-Lake Erie students to present a nonalcoholic bottle or can at the door the entire night will receive $1 off admission.

Fans are encouraged to wear green for the games to increase their chances of participating in special promotions throughout the evening that include recycling trivia, a paper airplane contest and more.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF JANUARY 21
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Basketball: Tiffany Menhorn, Pitt-Greensburg

Men's Basketball: Mike Ridge, Pitt-Bradford

Women's Swimming: Katie Van Epps, Penn St. Behrend

Women's Diving: Krystal Kovach, Penn St. Behrend

Men's Swimming: Tom Weir, Penn St. Behrend

Men's Diving: Steve Weir, Penn St. Behrend

Week of January 14, 2008

PITT-BRADFORD CEO TO BEGIN TERM ON NCAA PRESIDENTS COUNCIL

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford president Livingston Alexander is on of three new members who will begin service on the Division III Presidents Council at its April meeting.

Dr. Alexander, who is the current chair of the AMCC Presidents Council, assumed Pittsburgh-Bradford's presidency in 2003. He previously was provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of psychology at Kean University, and earlier served in academic and administrative posts at Western Kentucky University, Georgia Southern University and Troy State University. Dr. Alexander has written widely in such areas as learning, cognition, planning, and assessment of learning outcomes, and often has led seminars and workshops on leadership and diversity.

PITT-GREENSBURG'S GELET EARNS 150TH CAREER WIN

Carol Gelet, already the career leader in coaching wins at Pitt- Greensburg, picked up milestone victory number 150 Wednesday evening as her Lady Bobcats blew past Hilbert College, 85-50. Senior Tiffany Menhorn (Latrobe, PA/Latrobe) also had a memorable night, as her 18 points brought her career total to 1,378 and is now the second leading scorer in Pitt Greensburg women's basketball history, trailing only Annie Sral's (2004 graduate) 1,420 points.

THREE AMCC WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAMS EARN NSCAA ETHICS AWARDS

For the fourth time in six years, the Hilbert College women’s soccer team has been awarded the “Gold” Ethics award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Hawks are one of just five teams nationally to garnish this year’s gold honors. Collegiate teams in all divisions that play the entire season without receiving a red card and less than five yellow cards are recognized. Lake Erie College and Frostburg State University earned the NSCAA's Silver Team Ethics Award.

The AMCC also had four players recognized as Scholar All-East Region Honorable Mention Selections by the NSCAA: Hilbert junior Jenifer Wade (Buffalo, NY/Mount Mercy) and senior Katrina Galofaro (Dunkirk, NY/Silver Creek) and Lake Erie junior Angela Bethel (Beavercreek, OH/Miami Valley) .

PENN STATE BEHREND TO HOST ANNUAL "SPIRIT AGAINST CANCER" FUNDRAISER

Penn State Behrend will host the sixth annual "Spirit Against Cancer" Dance & Cheerleading Competition on February 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Junker Center. Last year the event raised more than $7,000.

"Spirit Against Cancer" was created in memory of Becky Hubler Decker. Her commitment to the community included serving as dance coach at Penn State Behrend, cheerleading coach at Edinboro University, she was captain of the Invaderettes dance team, and a member of the Buffalo Bills (Jills) dance team. All proceeds from this special event will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, please contact Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Stacy Pondo at (814) 898-6240 or by email at slp15@psu.edu.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF JANUARY 14
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Basketball: Amanda Baker, Medaille

Men's Basketball: Dallas Reinard, Hilbert

Week of January 7, 2008

LAKE ERIE WOMEN EARN NSCAA/ADIDAS TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD

The Lake Erie College women's soccer team is a recipient of the 2006-07 NSCAA/adidas Team Academic Award after earning a team grade point average of 3.38 for the 2006-07 academic year. A total of 414 teams (114 men's and 300 women's), posted a GPA of 3.0 or higher to earn the National Soccer Coaches Association's highest academic honor. Lake Erie, under the direction of head coach Lauren Ferullo, was the only member of the AMCC to earn this distinction. It is the team's fifth time receiving the accolade under Ferullo.

AMCC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: WEEK OF JANUARY 7
(Click on red sport link for full story and "Best of the Rest")

Women's Basketball: