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Senior Student-Athlete Awards Announced

Senior Student-Athlete Awards Announced

by Public Relations | June 03, 2020

LATROBE, PA -- The Saint Vincent College Athletic Department has announced the recipients of its 2020 senior student-athlete awards, recognizing athletic, academic and community service achievements of its graduating student-athletes.  

Each year, the department honors its senior student-athletes and announces the award recipients at an end-of-the-year banquet, though the 2020 banquet was canceled due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Each Saint Vincent College varsity head coach nominated senior student-athletes for the four awards, including the E. Albert DeLuca Award, the William Rafferty Award, the John Granish Award and the Kristen Zawacki Award. Recipients were determined by a selection committee comprised of the College’s athletic administration.  

THE E. ALBERT DELUCA AWARD 
Awarded in memory of the late Al DeLuca (1911-68), Saint Vincent teacher and football coach, to outstanding student-athletes who have displayed responsible and dependable student leadership. 

Award Recipients 
Rachel Belles (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy) – Women’s Lacrosse 
Tyler Laughery (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) – Men’s Cross Country/Track
Madeline Leya (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Seton LaSalle) – Women’s Golf
Sam Nowicki (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) – Football 
Jon Oskin (Erie, Pa./Fairview) – Men’s Tennis
Kayla Slovenec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) – Women’s Basketball
David Stephen (Winter Garden, Fla./Dr. Phillips) – Men’s Basketball  

THE WILLIAM RAFFERTY AWARD 
Awarded in honor of the late William Rafferty (1911-2000), alumnus, professor and coach, to outstanding Saint Vincent athletes who have achieved excellence in academics. 

Award Recipients  
Anthony Abbondanza (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) – Men’s Lacrosse 
Frank Casile (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) – Men’s Lacrosse) 
Claire Kenna (Chantilly, Va./Seton School) – Women’s Lacrosse/Swimming 
Madison Kollar (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) – Women’s Basketball 
Jimmy Malone (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) – Baseball  
Paige Montrose (Seven Fields, Pa./Seneca Valley) – Women’s Basketball 
Kate Palko (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) – Women’s Tennis 
 

THE JOHN GRANISH AWARD 
Awarded in memory of the late Saint Vincent soccer coach John Granish (1949-83), who inspired athletes to do their best, by the Saint Vincent Athletic Department to the student-athletes who have made the most of their talent. 

Award Recipients 
Taylor Boring (Mineral Point, Pa./Central Cambria) – Women’s Basketball 
Claire Galvin (Charles Town, W.Va./Kolbe Academy) – Women’s Cross Country/Track 
Cody Henry (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) – Football  
Zach Novelli (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) – Men’s Lacrosse 
Kyle Pope (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. Maria Goretti) – Men’s Basketball/Lacrosse  
Bri Van Volkenburg (Pittsburgh, Pa./Our Lady of Sacred Heart) – Women’s Basketball 
Christian Witchey (Saint Clairsville, Ohio/Saint Clairsville) – Football  
 

THE KRISTEN ZAWACKI AWARD 
Awarded in memory of the late Kristen Zawacki (1958-2010), associate athletic director and women’s basketball coach, to outstanding student-athletes who demonstrate service to the Saint Vincent community. 
 
Award Recipients 

Jessica Brinker (Crownsville, Md./Mount De Sales Academy) – Women’s Cross Country/Track 
Will Greene (Westminster, Md./Delone Catholic) – Men’s Cross Country/Track 
Eli Urban (State College, Pa./St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy) – Men’s Cross Country/Track 
Sarah Wozniak (Uniontown, Pa./Uniontown) – Women’s Volleyball 

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