Eight Greyhounds Named to 2017 Landmark Conference Spring All-Sportsmanship Team

TOWSON, Md. --- The Landmark Conference has named 56 student-athletes including eight from Moravian College to the 2017 Spring All-Sportsmanship Team. The All-Sportsmanship Team includes one student-athlete from each institution for each sport and is selected by the players and coaches from their respective team.

The All-Sportsmanship Team recognizes student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. The student-athletes selected demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. They are ambassadors for the team, both on and off the field, and galvanize their teammates toward their goals. These student-athletes exhibit respect for themselves, teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, spectators, and the greater campus community.

Of the 56 student-athletes on the All-Sportsmanship Team, eight were named All-Landmark, including Elizabethtown College's Kyle Fackler, who was named the Baseball Player of the Year, Susquehanna Univesity's Matt Gass, who was named the Men's Co-Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, and Moravian College's Brittney Eady, who was the Women's Tennis Player of the Year. Four student-athletes are repeat selections from a year ago, and were described as leaders and difference-makers on their teams.

The All-Sportsmanship Team was created by the Landmark Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in 2013 as a way to highlight student-athletes who are making an impact. The Landmark previously awarded a Sportsmanship Cup before the All-Sportsmanship Team replaced the Cup for the 2013-14 academic year.

Baseball

Sophomore outfielder Mike Mittl helped the baseball squad to a 15-21 record this spring. Mittl started games in right field and as a designated hitter for the Greyhounds this season, and he hit .238 with 25 hits, 15 runs, two doubles, two hoers and 19 RBIs. He also had 31 putouts in the field. 

"Mike is a great kid who comes from a great family with his dad in the Hall of Fame here at Moravian," said Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "Mike represents his family and the college at the highest level. He is also a member of SAAC and is very deserving of the award."

Softball

Senior infielder Chrissy Marinaro helped the Greyhounds to a 36-6 record on the year as the program was ranked as high as seventh in the nation in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Top 25 during the regular season. Marinaro was 3-for-6 on the season with a double and an RBI.

"Chrissy embodies the true meaning of sportsmanship and being a team player," stated Head Coach John Byrne. "She is always the first to practice and the last to leave. What she brought to our team can't been seen in the statistics. During her career, Chrissy did everything that was asked of her and she never lost her enthusiasm for the game even when she wasn't getting a chance to be on the field."

Track & Field

Sophomore pole vaulter Scott Goodwin had an impact for the Greyhounds as they won their ninth Landmark Conference Outdoor Championship on the men's side. He won the pole vault with a height of 4.25 meters (13-11.25) and will be competing at the ECAC Division III Outdoor Championships this week.

"Scott is very supportive of his competitors," commented Head Coach Jesse Baumann. "I've witnessed it during numerous pole vault competitions where he's cheering on his fellow competitors as much as his teammates. He's a great person, obviously a talented athlete and is another good representative of our program."

Senior distance runner Meg Brockett missed the final season of her career due to an injury that occurred as she was competing at the 2017 NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships in the 5,000-meter run. Brockett won the 5K and 10K at the 2016 Landmark Conference Outdoor Championships last spring.

"Meg is a student of the sport," noted Baumann. "She follows what everyone in the conference and NCAA is doing, and is extremely respectful of her competition. She keenly understands what it's like to be an athlete and has a deep respect for others she battles on the line. She's extremely gracious and respectful, win or lose, and is the epitome of what sportsmanship should be about."

Tennis

Senior Giovanni Lombardi moved up to the first spot in the Greyhounds' line-up in both singles and doubles this season. He completed his career with 36 doubles victories and 20 singles wins.

"Gio is a fine young man who everyone on the team respects both as a player and as a captain," said Head Coach Alan Heverly. "He never displayed any negativity on the court, and he's always known for his honesty. He's a virtue to the team and the school."

Senior Brittney Eady helped the women's squad to a 10-7 mark this season and a berth in the Landmark Conference Semifinals. She was selected as the Landmark Conference Women's Tennis Athlete of the Year while earning on a spot on the All-Conference First Team in Singles for the fourth straight season. Eady finished her career with 52 career singles victories, which is eighth in school history, and she had 47 doubles wins to tie for second in school history.

"Brittney is without question the best number one player in the league," stated Heverly. "The only quality that is superior to her ability is her sportsmanship. She is high in character and other coaches have remarked that she is very polite on the court. She is certainly deserving of the Landmark Conference Player of the Year, but she is more deserving of this sportsmanship award."

Lacrosse

Sophomore goalie Kurt Dick made ten starts for the Greyhounds this spring and had a 4-6 record to go with a 10.05 goals-against average and 123 saves. In two seasons, he is 14-12 with a 9.40 goals-against average and 297 saves in almost 1,500 minutes of action.

"Kurt is the heart of the team," noted Head Coach Dave Carty. "He is a great motivator and is a player who respects every team we play."

Junior midfielder Kristen Baxter had an impact for the Greyhounds in her first year with the program in 2017. Baxter contributed two goals, 37 ground balls, five draw controls and 21 caused turnovers for Moravian, which made its first-ever postseason appearance in the ECAC Division III Tournament First Round.

"Kristen came to Moravian as a transfer and had an immediate impact on the program as a loyal and dedicated team member," commented Head Coach Kristen Nicholson. "She stepped up as a leader on the defensive end while being the most supportive teammate imaginable. We're extremely lucky to have her."