April 23, 2002
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Siena athletic department released its recipients of the April Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month award today, distinguishing senior baseball player Fausto Franco (Bronx, N.Y./Mt. St. Michael) and junior tennis standout Nikki Mayer (Latham, N.Y./Shaker).
Franco, who now carries a 3.08 grade point average in computer science, has worked his way into the everyday starting lineup in centerfield for the baseball team, which has won 13 of its last 16 games. Franco is batting .247 and is a perfect 9-9 on the base paths. The 5-8 senior has also dazzled spectators with his breathtaking grabs in the outfield.
"Fausto is a tireless worker who will be a key to any success we have as the season winds down," noted veteran Head Coach Tony Rossi. "He has had an outstanding career with us, and his academic success speaks for itself."
Mayer, a junior who boasts a 3.16 GPA as a marketing and management major, has emerged as one of the top tennis talents in the Northeast. This spring she posted a 10-2 record, including a 3-0 mark in last weekend's MAAC Championships, playing top singles for the Saints. In her three years with Siena, Mayer has amassed 39 wins in just 50 matches played. Mayer broke 12 singles records with her stellar play this season and owned a 10-1 record playing top doubles with teammate Andrea Disponzeo.
"Nikki is the type of student-athletes coaches dream of having on their teams," Head Coach Jeffrey Bloomberg said. "Her competitive spirit on the tennis court carries over to everything she does, so it is no surprise she has performed so well in the classroom."
The Leo Dufort student-athlete of the month award is presented nine times annually to Siena athletes who excel on the playing fields and in the classroom. Past recipients this year were: November- Shane McMahon (golfer), Michelle and Kim Milton (cross country) December-Mary McKissack (basketball) and Andy Cavo basketball, January- Tommy Mitchell (basketball), Erica Anderson (basketball) and February- Nathalie Marchino (basketball), Leah Serbalik (diving).
