April 29, 2003

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College Department of Athletics and the Heron Society honored its top student-athletes this evening at the annual athletics awards banquet. Field hockey senior Sheila McKevitt (Clinton/Clinton, N.Y.) took home the top prize, the Marion Harrison Greene ’20 Award, presented to the College’s most outstanding senior athlete.

William Smith Athletics also present the inaugural Hosking Award.

A forward, McKevitt is one of the most prolific goal scorers in school history. William Smith’s leading scorer this season with 14 goals and six assists, she ranks fifth on the Herons’ career goals list (43), 11th in assists (18), and seventh in points (104). McKevitt was named the 2002 UCAA Player of the Year and an NFHCA first-team All-American. She received All-Region and All-UCAA recognition in each of the past three seasons. An exceptional student-athlete, McKevitt was a three-time NFHCA and UCAA All-Academic selection.

Senior soccer midfielder Kristin Falzarano (Morristown/Morris Plain, N.J.) received the Winn-Seeley Award, presented to the outstanding athlete who has contributed to many areas of William Smith athletics. On the soccer pitch, Falzarano led the Herons to a 17-4-3 record and an appearance in the NCAA Semifinals with seven goals, including three game-winners, and six assists. She garnered second-team All-American honors, in addition to the UCAA Player of the Year Award. Off the field, Falzarano was a member of William Smith’s Peak Performance Core 20 Team, helping her fellow student-athletes make healthy choices to achieve peak performance.

The Cynthia Oyler ’93 Award is presented to the senior who will be continuing her education at the postgraduate level and displays outstanding athletic abilities, excellent academic records, and exemplary leadership. This year’s recipient is lacrosse junior midfielder Shana Hawrylchak (Guilderland/Altamont, N.Y.). The Phi Beta Kappa is fifth on the team in scoring with 13 goals and four assists and will graduate next month with a degree in anthropology. A three-year starter and a two-time member of the UCAA All-Academic Team, Hawrylchak and the Herons enter this weekend’s UCAA Tournament with a 12-2 overall record and an 8-0 mark in the league.

First-year rower Rebecca Gutwin (Champlain Valley Union/Williston, Vt.) received the Betsy Mitchell ’65 Award, presented to the athlete whose success has been characterized by meeting and overcoming significant personal challenges.

The Evaleen C. Harrison ’19 Scholar Athlete Award was presented to lacrosse senior Jackie Toner (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.). She is tied with Hawrylchak for fifth on the team in scoring with 16 goals and an assist. A chemistry major, Toner has twice graced the roll of the UCAA All-Academic Team and is a member of the Laurel Society, William Smith’s junior honor society.

Senior soccer goalie Melissa Buonvecchio (East Syracuse-Minoa/East Syracuse, N.Y.) earned the Melissa Mulliken ’80 Award for participation and leadership, combined with off-field endeavors, that advances William Smith athletics. The Herons’ backup over the past two seasons, she has shown an unparalleled work ethic and team spirit, despite seeing only limited minutes. Buonvecchio has continued to workout with the soccer team during spring practice, through foul weather, odd hours, and weekends, at a time when many seniors are all to happy to begin their new role as alumnae. In addition, she has served an internship in the sports information office this semester, an office Mulliken once directed.

The Susan Bassett Leadership Award is presented to a junior for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. A team co-captain, Lisbeth Engst (Christian Brothers Academy/Fabius, N.Y.) is William Smith’s top swimmer in the breaststroke events. During the Skidmore Sprint Invitational on Feb. 1, she won both the 50-yard and the 100-yard breaststroke events. In the New York State Championships, Engst placed fourth in the 100 breaststroke, turning in a season-best time of 1:10.29. She also serves on the Peak Performance Core 20 Team.

Sophomore Jenn Tibbens (Sherburne-Earlville/Shurburne, N.Y.) garnered the Hazel Nettleship Hardy ’65 Award, presented to the sophomore who has contributed to the growth of Heron athletics and is an excellent representative of William Smith athletes. Tibbens started every game this season for the Herons’ soccer team on defense, helping to limit opponents to a meager 0.67 goals per game.

The Stephanie Christie Award, William Smith’s Rookie of the Year Award, was presented to diver Sarah Costanza (Gwynedd Mercy/Ambler, Pa.). She broke both William Smith records on the 3-meter board, logging a score of 251.85 for six dives against RIT on Jan. 21. At the New York State Championships the following month, she eclipsed the 3-meter mark for 11 dives with a score of 390.96. Costanza was named the UCAA Diver of the Week four times this season.

More than 50 student-athletes received awards, including team and individual awards. The evening’s festivities were sponsored by the Heron Society.

Back to Awards