May 27, 2004
Poughkeepsie, NY - Marist College men's tennis player Michael Nassif (Ames, Iowa) was named to the CoSida All-Academic District I At-Large First Team, announced this afternoon. Nassif is one of 80 student-athletes nationwide who are now eligible for Academic All-American accolades, which will be announced on June 15th. Senior water polo player Alyson Fiorillo and junior swimmer Sarah McKinney were also honored Thursday, picking up CoSida All-Academic District I At-Large Second Team honors.
To earn All-Academic status a student-athlete must maintain a 3.2 cumulative grade-point-average, on a 4.0 scale, be a starter or significant reserve for their team, and have completed at least one year at their current institution. The nominated student-athletes are voted on by each region's Sports Information Director's, with those named to the first team becoming eligible for Academic All-America selection.
A biology major, Nassif is a two-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team and was selected as an ITA Scholar Athlete in 2003, as well as a member of the MAAC Academic Honor Roll. Nassif also has made the Marist Dean's List each of his five semesters.
A three-year member of the tennis team, Nassif helped the Red Foxes to its sixth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament Final and a team record 16-7, 7-1 in conference action this season. The Ames High School graduate recorded seven singles victories and two doubles wins on the year. He also placed ninth in the 5th Singles Flight of the Northeast Tournament. Nassif has enjoyed a successful career on the court, posting a 38-22 singles over three seasons. As a sophomore he posted a 23-6 records and lead the Red Foxes to a MAAC Title and a NCAA Tournament berth.
Fiorillo, a chemistry major, was the captain of the Red Foxes water polo the last three seasons, and a four-year varsity letter-winner for the team. Fiorillo earns the All-District honor for the second time, having been named to the team in 2003 as well. She was also a three-year letter-winner with the Red Foxes swimming and diving team. She earned the department's 2004 Female Sportsperson of the Year award. She graduates as the all-time leading scorer in water polo program history, with 152 goals. She earned MAAC First Team honors in water polo as a senior.
McKinney is a member of the swimming and diving team, majoring in Business and Accounting with a Global Studies minor. She led the Red Foxes to a 2004 MAAC Championship, while also helping the Red foxes to their best ever finish at the ECAC championships, this year. McKinney placed third in the 200-freestyle at ECAC's and in the process set a new school record. At MAAC's she swam a leg on the school and conference record setting 800 freestyle relay, on the way to winning the conference title.
