Wheaton presents five major awards at annual athletics banquet

Pictured left to right: Jeff Selesnick '06, Vanessa Pisano '05, Keith Cooper '05, Erin Duffy '05, James Greenslit '06.

NORTON, MA - The Wheaton College Department of Athletics held its annual awards ceremony at Emerson Dining Hall on the Norton campus Monday night. Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the five major year-end awards, as seniors Keith Cooper (Swampscott, MA/The Pingree School), Erin Duffy (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) and Vanessa Pisano (Vineyard Haven, MA/Martha's Vineyard) and juniors James Greenslit (Framingham, MA/Rivers School) and Jeff Selesnick (Concord, NH/Concord) were recognized for their many accomplishments.

Winners of the Senior Athletic Awards went to Cooper and Duffy. This honor is presented to a male and female member of the graduating class who has made a significant contribution to the success of the Wheaton athletic program, including participation of intercollegiate athletics or intramural programs, proven leadership ability and commitment and relevant committee work.

Cooper, a captain and four-year member of the nationally-ranked baseball team, has been a Wheaton Athletic Mentor (WAM) for the past three years. He is a two-time New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference team selection and was chosen to the All-New England team as well as being named NEWMAC Player of the Year in 2004. Leading this year's team to a 22-8 record and a seventh consecutive regular season conference championship, Cooper is among the NEWMAC leaders in several statistical categories, including leading the pack in runs scored. He ranks second in stolen bases, tied for second in triples, seventh in batting average and tied for ninth in doubles.

Duffy, who is one of Wheaton's most decorated student-athletes, led the women's soccer program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance and a 23-1-2 record. A two-year captain and four-year member with the Lyons, Duffy was a first-team All-America selection for three consecutive seasons. She was also a four-time All-New England honoree and four-time All-NEWMAC recipient, including being named NEWMAC Player of the Year in 2003. In addition to being an outstanding athlete, she is also an accomplished student, as indicated by her ESPN Academic All-America selection this past fall. Duffy earned NEWMAC Academic All-Conference accolades three straight times.

Greenslit was named Wheaton's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year for the second straight year. One of a small handful of two-sport athletes on campus, Greenslit is a junior All-America back on the men's soccer team and guard on the men's basketball team. Spearheading a soccer defense that allowed 18 goals last season, Greenslit was also selected to the All-New England All-NEWMAC teams, including being named NEWMAC Player of the Year. After leading the soccer team to its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years, Greenslit helped the men's basketball team to its first-ever Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament title and program-best 21 victories. Assigned to defend the opposing team's leading scoring guard, Greenslit played in 28 games and collected nine starts.

Pisano was the recipient of the Debi Field Athletic Award, an honor that is given to the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. Pisano recently surpassed the 300-point milestone in becoming Wheaton's all-time leading scorer, currently with an astounding 277 goals and 328 points. Named to the All-America third team as a junior, Pisano stands fifth on the NCAA Division III all-time goals list and tied for 17th for career points. She is a three-time NEWMAC All-Conference selection, including being named NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2002, and a Wheaton Scholar-Athlete. Currently second in the NEWMAC in goals scored and total points, Pisano will look to lead the nationally-ranked Lyons to a third consecutive NEWMAC Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Selesnick picked up the Claudia Friese Special Recognition Award, which recognizes the less visible, behind-the-scenes dedication to the athletic program exhibited by any member of the Wheaton community. A three-year member of the men's tennis team and WAM, Selesnick has served the athletic department in various capacities, including working as a sports information assistant the last three years and as a columnist for the Wheaton Wire, the school's on-campus newspaper. Selesnick also excels in the classroom, as evidenced by his Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete award, NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection, Dean's List recognition and Community Scholar choice.