May 10, 2013

Fitchburg State Hosts Annual Athletic Awards Banquet

The Fitchburg State athletic department hosted its annual Senior Athletic Awards Banquet Thursday evening as guest gathered at the Wallace Civic Center at Fitchburg State University for a night that portrayed the best of Falcon Athletics.

Falcons wrap up 2012-13 season by honoring 55 senior athletes

FITCHBURG, Mass. (May 10, 2013) – The Fitchburg State athletic department hosted its annual Senior Athletic Awards Banquet Thursday evening as guest gathered at the Wallace Civic Center at Fitchburg State University for a night that portrayed the best of Falcon Athletics.

Fifty-five senior athletes were honored in the festivities, while ten Fitchburg State athletes were recognized with specialty awards, including the Paul K. Waring ’38 Athlete of the Year Award, the Senior Scholar Athlete Award, the Leadership Award, the Kruczek Award and the Rookie of the Year Award.

Seniors Zach Desrochers (Dracut, Mass./Greater Lowell) and Joseph Caveney (Fitchburg, Mass./New England Jr. Huskies) led all male recipients, taking home the Paul K. Waring ’38 Male Athlete of the Year honor, while senior Jamie Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) highlighted the Fitchburg State women, being named the Paul K. Waring Female Athlete of the Year.

Desrochers, a seven time post-season qualifier, earned All-American status in the winter, finishing seventh overall in the weight toss at the 2012 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships. In addition, he earned the opportunity to qualify for his second NCAA Championship event this spring, ranking 11th in the nation in the discus and 16th overall in the hammer throw.

Caveney, a member of the Fitchburg State hockey team, completed a career season for the Falcons, scoring 47 points on 17 goals and 30 assists. He averaged 1.74 points per game, ranking first in the nation among all Division III schools, while also collecting first team All-Conference honors and MASCAC Ice Hockey Player of the Year accolades.

Kelley concluded her four-year career with a stellar season for the Fitchburg State field hockey team, ranking first on the team in scoring, posting 49 points with 21 goals and 7 assists. She finished her career as the program’s all-time assists leader with 33, while finishing second all-time in points and goals scored. For her efforts, she was named to the 2012 Little East All-Conference first team.

Seniors Will Lary (Winchendon, Mass.) and Sammi Gorman (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) were also honored with the Male/Female Senior Scholar Athlete Award, giving annually to an outstanding senior athlete with a minimum 3.2 GPA. Lary, a four-year member of the MASCAC All-Academic team collected a 3.78 GPA in Biology and Psychology while serving as leader of the Fitchburg State cross country and track teams. Gorman, a two-year member of the Fitchburg State women’s lacrosse team, posted a 3.72 GPA while majoring in Communications Film/Media.

A pair of athletes received recognition for their leadership qualities as senior Michael Grasela (New Bedford, Mass.) took home the Male Athletic Leadership Award and classmate Chenice Branquinho (E. Freetown, Mass.) was awarded the Female Athletic Leadership Award. Senior Madeline Merchant (Gardner, Mass.) received the 2013 Kruczek Award for her demonstration of courage and spirit through adversity, while freshman Ryan Connolly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) and classmate Tori Cyrus (Everett, Mass.) wrapped up the award honorees, being named the Male/Female Rookies of the Year.

For more information regarding the Fitchburg State Athletic Awards Banquet, please contact Sports Information Director Keith Brouillard via email at kbrouil3@fitchburgstate.edu.