KINGS POINT, N.Y. (June 20, 2023) – During graduation week at the beautiful Mariner Estate nearby, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Athletics Department celebrated its most successful season in years with its first standalone awards ceremony in the past decade-plus. The ceremony was attended by the graduating student-athletes from the Class of 2023 and the entire USMMA Athletics staff and coaches as well as top Academy administrators.
 
Photos from the ceremony can be viewed at this link.
 
After a welcoming address by fourth-year Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz and remarks by USMMA Superintendent VADM Joanna Nunan, the programming began with the recognition of our 73 four-year letterwinners throughout all of our 19 programs as well as the 36 team captains in attendance from the senior class.
 
That was followed by a special shout out to our seniors who achieved major individual accomplishments throughout the 2022-23 seasons (the list of accomplishments can be found at this link), before each team's MVP Award were announced. You can view the Team MVP Award winners by clicking the following links:
 
Fall 2022 Team MVPs | Winter 2022-23 Team MVPs | Spring 2023 Team MVPs.
 
Then there were a total of 29 awards to announce the rest of the night. The final two awards handed out were the Admiral Giles C. Stedman Trophy and the Julie A. Berke Award which honor the top male and female student-athletes, respectively, for excellence throughout their careers.
 
The Stedman Trophy went to David McCranie '23 of men's swimming & diving. McCranie qualified and competed in the NCAA National Championships each of the past two seasons for the Mariners, including earning All-America Second Team honors this past 2022-23 campaign after a 13th-place finish in the 200 free relay. He was the Skyline Conference Co-Swimmer of the Year this past season and an eight-time Skyline Conference Individual Champion.
 
Our Academy's first individual NCAA National Champion in 12 years, Kira Porzio '23, was awarded the Julie A. Berke Award. Porzio was a member of the women's track & field team each of the past two seasons and was a three-time national qualifier in the 2022 Outdoor, 2022-23 Indoor and 2023 Outdoor seasons. She earned All-America honors during both trips to NCAAs her senior season, finishing eighth in the high jump at the Indoor Championships before winning the event at the Outdoor Championships.
 
The top head coaches of the year are awarded the Dr. Stephen 'Bill' Omeltchenko and the Sue Petersen Lubow Coach of the Year awards. Both of the year's winners led their teams to Skyline Conference Championships, as Drew McCarthy of men's soccer won the Coach O, and Matt Dempsey of women's basketball took home the Petersen Lubow Award.
 
This year's Assistant Coaches of the Year were Johan Lopez (men's swimming & diving) and Maegan Meritz (women's lacrosse). Both winners were instrumental in leading their teams to Skyline Championships, as Lopez also qualified a diver to compete at the NCAA National Championships, while Meritz also took on the mantle of women's volleyball head coach behind the scenes in the fall.
 
The Herman Berke Athletic Leadership Award, which combines athletic excellence with leadership in the Regiment, went to Meghan Malone '23. Malone was a two-time All-Skyline First Team selection on the women's lacrosse team and served as the Regimental Commander during the first rotation of the 2022-23 academic year.
 
Not awarded during graduation week were the Julie Berke Rookie of the Year Awards (one for a men's team and one for a women's team).
 
On the men's side this year, the award went to Isaac Clark (Weddington, N.C.) from cross country/track & field. Clark was the Skyline Runner and Rookie of the Year for cross country, was an All-Region honoree and a national qualifier, while also taking home Skyline Track Athlete and Rookie of the Year honors at the Outdoor Championship Meet. He helped lead the Mariners to Skyline titles in both cross country and outdoor track & field.
 
Freshman Nicole Nagengast (Seaford, N.Y.) of women's lacrosse was selected as the Julie Berke Rookie of the Year for a women's team after she helped lead Merchant Marine to its fourth Skyline Championship in the past five seasons. She was a First Team All-Skyline selection and also earned regional praise with a spot on the All-ECAC Team.
 

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Listed below are the rest of the awards handed out (with descriptions) at the 2022-23 Athletics' Awards Ceremony.
 
Captain James Liebertz Memorial Award
The Captain James Liebertz Memorial Award is presented in memory of Captain James Liebertz, who served as the Academy's Athletic Director from 1950 to 1972. The Award is chosen by the Athletic Director and is given to someone who exemplifies the same traits of dedication, perseverance, enthusiasm and love for USMMA Athletics as Captain James Liebertz.
2022-23 Winner: John Joerger '74 (Joerger has attended all 12 Blue & Gray Golf Outings this year, marking the second time he has attended every single golf outing in a year, as he also did so in 2014, and he has sponsored the outings at $10,000 a year. This past March he went to his 100th golf outing in support of Kings Point Athletics.
 
Francis L. Toner IV Award
The Francis L. Toner IV Memorial Award is presented annually to the midshipman who best demonstrates selfless service on the athletic field and within the regiment, in the spirit of Lieutenant Junior Grade Francis L. Toner IV, USN.
2022-23 Winner: Jeremiah Wang (Football)
 

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Staff Awards
Power of Inspiration Award
The Power of Inspiration Award goes to an individual who inspires not only through the use of words but actions. This award represents a person who is very enthusiastic and passionate about their work and is able to translate it to others.
2022-23 Winner: Capt. Bill Fell (Deputy Athletic Director)
 
Staff Member of the Year Award
In its first season, the USMMA Athletics Staff Member of the Year Award is presented to a member of the PE&A staff who goes above and beyond in support of the mission of our department. The recipient plays a critical role within the overall athletics program, is a joy to work with, and their hard work is appreciated by their peers and our student-athletes.
2022-23 Winner: Melinda Eng (Head Athletic Trainer)
 
Captain Perry Walter Team Mentor Award
Established in 1999, the Captain Perry Walter Team Mentor Award is presented annually to the team mentor who best exemplifies the traits exhibited by Captain Perry Walter. Captain Walter was known for his guidance and dedication in academics, athletics, and regimental affairs for Midshipmen-Athletes.
2022-23 Winner: Professor Mike Ales (Football Team Mentor)
 
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Award of Appreciation
The ECAC Award of Appreciation is presented to a member of the USMMA regiment, faculty, or staff in appreciation for their support of the overall Athletics Program.
2022-23 Winner: Angela Burroughs (Athletics' Financial Management Technician)
 
Mark J. Paradiso Service Award (S.A.A.C. Award)
Inaugurated in 1984 as the Mariner Service Award, the honor is presented annually by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in memory of Mark J. Paradiso, Class of 1983. It is bestowed upon a member of the Academy family who best exemplifies the traits of Mark, unequaled in his dedication and service to the USMMA Athletic Program.
2022-23 Winner: Capt. Mike Stroud (Commandant of Midshipmen)
 

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Scholar-Athlete Awards
Thomas LeBlanc '86 Award
The Thomas LeBlanc Award is presented to the outstanding male scholar-athlete in the senior class. Established in 1987 as the Captain Leo V. Berger Award, it was revised in 2003 to honor Thomas LeBlanc of the Class of 1986.
2022-23 Winner: C.J. Mustain (Football)
 
Julie A. Berke Achievement Award
Established in 1995, The Julie A. Berke Achievement Award is presented to a female midshipman who has demonstrated achievement in athletics, excellence in scholarship, qualities of leadership and character, and who has significantly advanced women's athletics at the Academy.
2022-23 Winner: Paige Smith (Women's Volleyball)
 
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Merit Awards
The ECAC Merit Award is presented to the midshipmen who have demonstrated excellence in the athletic arena, while maintaining high academic standards. One winner is selected from a men's team and another from a women's team.
2022-23 Winners: Will Bucher (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field) / Emma Clarkson (Women's Swimming & Diving
 

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Team-Specific Awards
Michael Ricciardi Memorial Award (Football)
The Michael Ricciardi Memorial Award is presented to the Kings Point football player who personifies Michael Riccardi's love for life, his courage, his commitment, toughness and teamwork. It is awarded to the player who emulated the character and spirit of Michael Ricciardi.
2022 Winner: Thomas Gehman
 
J.A. "Red" Wagner Memorial Award (Football)
Established in 2014, the J.A. "Red" Wagner Memorial Award is presented to Marine Engineering football players who are "unsung heroes." They are dedicated, devoted, and show a pure love of the game.
2022 Winners: Michael Hood / Clayton Williams
 
Dennis Denny Award (Football)
The Dennis Denny Award is named in honor of an extraordinary teammate from the Class of 1958, Dennis Denny. He impressed all with his courage, work ethic and great wit. Denny was a credit to his family, the Academy and the Football program. In the true USMMA Spirit of Acta Non Verba, Denny gave all he had and more.
2022 Winners: Kurt Voll / Owen Voll
 
Don Adams Award (Football)
The Don Adams Award is presented annually to a defensive player who displays the leadership, hustle and desire that Don exhibited as an All-America player at Kings Point.
2022 Winner: Colton Ray
 
Special Teams Award (Football)
The Special Teams Award is presented to the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player during the football season. The award honors the player who has contributed the most to the success of the Special Teams units.
2022 Winner: Max Michaels
 
Andrew E. Gibson Award (Football)
The Andrew E. Gibson Award is presented annually to the outstanding offensive football player. The trophy was donated by Mr. Andrew Gibson. Gibson maintained many credentials including, former Ship Master, senior executive with the Grace Line, Maritime Administrator and Assistant Secretary of Commerce, President of Delta Line, and most recently as a Professor at the Naval War College.
2022 Winner: Cody Miller
 
Hanley-Naegele Award (Football & Wrestling)
The Hanley-Naegele Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive football player and most outstanding wrestler. The honor is given in the memory of Midshipmen Paul Hanley and Douglas Naegele, who participated in the two sports.
2022-23 Winners: Connor Caffrey (Football) / James Cruz (Wrestling)
 
Steven Wickboldt Memorial Award (Track & Field)
The Steven Wickboldt Memorial Award is presented in the memory of Steven Wickboldt, Class of 1979, and is presented to a member of the Track & Field Team who exemplifies the same traits of dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship which Steven displayed as Midshipman at the Academy.
2022-23 Winner: Kira Porzio
 
Captain Dan Buckley Memorial Award (Basketball)
The Captain Dan Buckley Memorial Award is given to a basketball player who exemplifies Coach Buckley's work ethic and dedication. The recipient also possesses the qualities of an exceptional leader who has strong character and has been a good teammate.
2022-23 Winner: Madison Demos
 
Kenneth Graff Memorial Award (Soccer & Baseball)
Established in 2002-03, this Kenneth Graff Memorial Award is presented in the memory of Second Lieutenant Kenneth Graff, Class of 2001, who passed away in the fall of 2003 while in attendance at the Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola, Florida. The Graff Award is presented annually to a member of the Soccer Team. The recipient of this award exemplify the same characteristics of fierce competitiveness, regimental honor and integrity, and family pride that Kenneth consistently exhibited during his time as a Midshipman at the Academy.
2022-23 Winners: Connor Damaré (Soccer) / Michael Monkevich (Baseball)
 
Robert G. Domini Memorial Award (Basketball, Lacrosse or Baseball)
Established in 2008, the Robert G. Domini Memorial Award is presented annually to the Midshipman who received at least three letters in the sport of either men's or women's basketball, men's or women's lacrosse or baseball and who best exemplifies the traits of Robert Domini, Class of 1954. Domini was known for being a team leader through drive, determination and hard work. He was also known for being a fierce and intelligent competitor who rose to a far higher level than expected through talent alone, and lived by the motto "Acta Non Verba."
2022-23 Winner: Samuel Stephenson (Men's Lacrosse)
 
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