TOWSON, Md. --- The Landmark Conference has named 74 student-athletes including nine from Moravian College to the 2019 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 74 student-athletes, 14 are repeat honorees, and 15 were named to the Landmark All-Conference teams in their respective sports, including the Women's Golf Rookie of the Year and the Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
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
Senior left fielder Mike Mittl was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team for the third straight year. Mittl was selected to the 2019 Landmark All-Conference Second Team, and he made the All-Conference Second Team in 2016 when he was also selected as the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year. He had a .324 batting average this season to go with 46 hits, 16 runs, seven doubles, two triples, a homer and 30 RBIs. Moravian was 22-21-1 and played in the Landmark Conference Tournament championship round.
"For three years now, Michael has represented our team with this honor. Not just our team, but Moravian College as a whole," said Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "There is no better young man to represent this reward. Michael is an exceptional player, but does so with little fanfare nor does he draw any attention. His actions on the field are those of a future leader, successful professional, and outstanding son, brother, and teammate. Michael has represented my program at the highest level of sportsmanship and character."
Softball
Senior second baseman Kaela Kane helped the Greyhounds to a 32-7 record on the year as the program was ranked as high as tenth in the nation in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Top 25 during the regular season. Kane contributed nine hits, nine runs, a triple, five RBIs, 56 putouts and 68 assists this spring. The Greyhounds were 32-7 this spring and hosted the 2019 Landmark Conference Tournament as the top seed.
"Kaela is a remarkable leader and respects the game and all she competes with and against," stated Head Coach John Byrne.
Track & Field
Senior distance runner Aaron Hofmann was honored for a second straight spring. Hofmann finished 15th in the 800-meter run and 18th in the 1,500-meter run to help the Greyhounds win their fifth straight Landmark Conference title.
Senior hurdler/sprinter Anna Osman helped the women's squad win its 12th consecutive Landmark Conference title. Osman was named to the Landmark All-Conference First Team after helping the Greyhounds win both the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays, and she also took third in the 100-meter hurdles, third in the 400-meter dash, third in the 400-meter hurdles and eighth in the 200-meter dash to score points in six events.
"Anna and Aaron are tremendous examples of good sportsmanship," commented Head Coach Jesse Baumann. They're exceptionally passionate about the sport, their own success, and their teammates however, they also take time to show respect towards their opponents. Both get to know their competition well and we routinely see them congratulation or interacting with them after meets, in some cases even taking pictures with them. They know how to be a top competitor when the gun goes off, but also how to be a good sport as soon as the race is over. Both are extremely kind-hearted people who represent themselves, the team, and Moravian College as well as anyone."
Tennis
Sophomore Mason Hudnall played fourth and fifth singles this season, posting a 10-9 record, and he also played at second and third doubles with a 9-9 slate while helping Moravian to a 12-6 record.
"Mason represents exactly what this award is all about," said Director of Tennis Aaron Wilf. "He has always displayed such great character and he's an amazing team player. He sets a great example for everyone else and I'm glad he now has a place on the All-Sportsmanship Team."
Sophomore Kristen Cassidy helped the women's squad to a 19-1 mark this season, the 2019 Landmark Conference Championship and a berth in the 2019 NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. Cassidy was 10-0 in singles action while seeing action and the fourth, fifth and sixth positions, and she had a 10-4 mark at third doubles. Moravian was 20-2 this year, a program record for wins, while capturing the 2019 Landmark Conference title and playing in the 2019 NCAA Division III Tournament.
"Kristen has been so great for our women's tennis team all season long," stated Wilf. "She always has a positive attitude both on and off the court and has been a joy to coach. She works very hard and is truly deserving of this sportsmanship award."
Lacrosse
Senior attack Jack Gozzard played in 15 matches this spring with 12 starts, and he contributed 11 goals, three assists and 16 ground balls. He helped Moravian to an 8-7 record.
"Jack is a great team player, he is everything you'd want in a captain and player," noted Head Coach Dave Carty. "He led the team off the field and was great for us on the field. After four years, it's hard to see him go but he'll accomplish great things as an alumnus."
Freshman defender Jamie Bader helped the Greyhounds post a 12-6 mark and reach the Landmark Conference Semifinals for the second straight season. Bader played in 13 matches with five starts, and she contributed 17 ground balls and seven caused turnovers.
"Jamie had an outstanding freshman year despite facing injury midseason," commented Head Coach Kristen Nicholson. "She was consistently positive and motivated her teammates to be their best, on and off the field. She embodies everything it means to have sportsmanship and plays this game with integrity. I'm so pleased to have her receive recognition for her character as an athlete and as a remarkable young woman."
Golf
Sophomore Victor Tavares was honored on the All-Sportsmanship Team for the second straight year. Tavares helped Moravian to a third-place finish at the 2-10 Landmark Conference Championships as he tied for 22nd in the 36-hole tournament with a score of 162.
"Victor is always smiling on the course," stated Head Coach Kevin Edwards. "Even when things aren't going the best, he doesn't display it which makes him a great competitor to be paired with."
