May. 3, 2005
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.-The Marist College Department of Athletics honored the members of its Class of 2005 Monday evening at the Annual Senior Awards Dinner, held at Christos Restaurant in Poughkeepsie. The Red Foxes recognized each senior student-athlete, as well as naming Kristin Keller a member of the women's basketball team, Sportspersons of the Year.
Tracz, one of the most successful pitchers in MAAC history, is 6-0 in MAAC play with an ERA of 2.09. He has 38 strikeouts to his credit compared to just five walks. The North Branford, Conn. native sports an overall record of 35-9 during his four years on the mound to go with numerous accolades. He earned Freshman All-America and MAAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2001 after going 10-1, with his only loss coming to Stanford in the first game of the NCAA Regionals. The next season, he claimed MAAC Pitcher of the Year honors after going 10-3 with an ERA of 2.36. He has claimed 15 more victories to date, against just five losses.
Castillo, a Jamaica, N.Y. native was Marist's top swimmer throughout the year, claiming wins in 22 individual events. He was also named ECAC Swimmer of the Meet this season after winning gold in the 200 freestyle, silver in the 200 IM and bronze in the 200 breaststroke. He also paced the Red Foxes to the 2005 MAAC Championship with a gold medal in the 200 breaststroke. A 16-time MAAC Champion, Castillo has set numerous records at Marist, helping to keep alive Marist's streak of 60 straight dual meet wins.
Keller, a Poughkeepsie, N.Y. native, earned countless awards during her senior campaign, among them First Team All-MAAC, MAAC All-Tournament Team and Fidelis Care Humanitarian of the Year. Keller finished her career this season ranking in the school's top 10 in games played (first, 117), blocked shots (third, 94), rebounds (ninth, 591), free throws made (ninth, 219) and field goals made (10th, 370). Keller helped power the Red Foxes to a school record 22 wins this season, after being instrumental in Marist's MAAC Championship run as a junior. Keller played her high school ball at nearby Our Lady of Lourdes, a national powerhouse on the high school level, gaining second team all-state honors under current Marist head coach Brian Giorgis.
Marist also announced that Heather Ripp and Matt Morsch are the winners of the James Pizzani Award. The Pizzani Award is given annually to the persons whose service, dedication and loyalty to the advancement of Marist Athletics goes beyond all other and embodies the spirit of James Pizzani. Ripp is a two-time All-MAAC honoree in goal for Noelle Cebron's women's lacrosse program, while Morsch was a valuable member of Bobby Herodes' 2004 MAAC Championship team.
The Advantage Sport and Fitness Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year awards were presented to Ripp and men's lacrosse player Rob Hobson. The award is presented annually and is given to a male and female student-athlete who empowers the principles of strength and conditioning to become a true leader in their sport.
The President's Academic Achievement Award is presented to the male and female student-athlete who attains the highest aggregate grade point average among their peers. The female recipient was Aline dos Santos of the volleyball team, while Michael Nassif of Tim Smith's men's tennis squad claimed the male honors.
The Athletics Director Award is presented annually to the men's and women's program which boasts the highest cumulative team Grade Point Average. The recipients of the 2005 award were the men's cross country team and the women's tennis team.
