Nov. 11, 2002
The Siena athletic department released its fall recipients of the Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month award today, distinguishing six standout athletes. Stephanie Reeves, Anthony Marasco, Erin Mead, Mark Thornhill, Erin Beam and Vinny Russo were all honored.
"Each student-athlete has done an exceptional job representing Siena in the classroom and on the playing fields," Michelle Bronner, the athletic department's academic advisor noted. "The recognition is well deserved as each has demonstrated the unique ability to excel under a stressful schedule."
September's Student-Athletes were junior golfer Stephanie Reeves (Clifton Park, N.Y./Burnt Hills) and junior football player Anthony Marasco (Westbury, N.Y./Carle Place).
Reeves, who carries a 3.16 grade point average in finance, enjoyed a fine fall campaign after finishing last season second on the team in scoring average for the defending MAAC Champions. Marasco, a fullback for the Saints who boasts a 3.41 GPA as a marketing management major, has emerged as one of the top offensive options in his eight games this season for the Saints.
Junior field hockey player Erin Mead (Chestertown, N.Y./North Warren) and senior golfer Mark Thornhill (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga) received the honors for October.
Mead now carries a 2.75 GPA as a marketing management major after an impressive spring 2002 semester in which she received a 3.46. She finished the 2002 season tied for the team lead in scoring with 19 points for a Siena field hockey team that won a program-record six games. Thornhill, a senior golfer, holds a 3.14 grade point average as a marketing management major. Thornhill is a third-year co-captain who finished third on the team last season in overall scoring and was among the team's top players this fall.
The recipients of the November student-athlete award are junior soccer players Erin Beam (Middletown, N.Y./Minisink) and Vinny Russo (Staten Island, N.Y./Marymount Int'l).
Beam has excelled in the classroom and holds a 3.58 GPA in mathematics education. She was named to the 2001 First Team All-MAAC and selected to the 2002 All-Conference team this past Friday after helping the Saints reach the conference championship. Russo boasts a 3.35 grade point average in political science. He has been a major factor in the Saints' late season success that recently resulted in the team's second consecutive postseason appearance. Starting in 13 of 17 games, Russo netting four goals on the season and three assists.
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.
