TOWSON, Md. --- The Landmark Conference has named 75 student-athletes including nine from Moravian University to the 2022 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.
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.
View the full 2022 Landmark Conference Spring All-Sportsmanship Team at https://landmark.prestosports.com/general/2021-22/releases/17182022-spring-sportsmanship-team.
Baseball
Junior catcher/designated hitter Derek Holmes helped the Greyhounds to a 22-18 record this spring while being named to the Landmark All-Conference First Team. This season, he had set school records with 69 hits and a .460 batting average to go along with 37 RBIs, 34 runs, 15 doubles, a triple, four homers, 14 walks, a .529 on-base percentage and a .653 slugging percentage. Holmes also recorded 93 putouts and 19 assists including throwing out 11 of 30 stolen base attempts.
Softball
Sophomore second baseman Ajala Elmore helped the Greyhounds to a 29-5 record as the squad finished as the runner-up in the Landmark Conference Tournament. Elmore posted 28 hits, 22 runs, 20 RBIs, five doubles, two triples and three homers to go along with 68 putouts and 65 assists in the field.
Track & Field
Senior pole vaulter Max Schuman tied for fourth in the pole vault, clearing a height of 4.10 meters (13-5.25), at the 2022 Landmark Conference Outdoor Championships to earn 4.5 points towards Moravian's third-place team finish, and he is set to compete in the event at the 2022 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Championships being hosted by the Greyhounds on May 18-19.
Senior distance runner Emma Marion placed eighth in the 10,000-meter run at the 2022 Landmark Conference Outdoor Championships in an All-Atlantic Region Track & Field qualifying time of 39:41.21 to garner a point towards the Hounds' 14th consecutive Landmark Conference title.
Tennis
Junior Justin Szaro posted a 4-9 record in singles action, playing in the second spot in the line-up, and he was 7-6 in doubles competition, mainly at second doubles
Junior Cristina Merone helped the Greyhounds to a 14-4 mark this past season that ended as the runner-up in the Landmark Conference Tournament. Merone had an undefeated season as she posted a 16-0 mark at fourth singles and an 18-0 slate in doubles action, playing mainly second doubles.
"It's a great honor for Cristina and Justin to receive the sportsmanship award," commented Director of Tennis Mariana Freitas. "This award is really special as it's based on character, personality, and attitude. Cristina and Justin, both conduct themselves with class on and off the court, and they represent our program and the university well.
"Justin showed his teammates, coaches, and opponents respect, and he always handled himself well in victory and defeat. He is a very caring person, and he tries to reinforce good behaviors and positive actions both on and off the court," Freitas noted.
"As a co-captain, Cristina leads by example both on and off the court. She works hard every practice/match, and she exemplifies what it means to be a great leader. She has a positive and inclusive attitude towards her teammates and opponents, which helps create a positive experience for all," Freitas said.
Lacrosse
Senior attack Eliza Fantazzi helped the Greyhounds post 8-10 mark and reach the Landmark Conference Semifinals for the fourth consecutive tournament. Fantazzi had 30 goals and 12 assists to finish fourth on the squad with 42 points to go along with nine ground balls and six caused turnovers. She finished her career with 46 goals, 15 assists, 25 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers in 48 career matches.
"Liza is an incredible leader and teammate," stated Head Coach Caroline Pape. "She has a great level of respect for our game and all that compete with and against us. She is a supportive and intelligent motivator who competed and led us with integrity, skill, and love for lacrosse."
Senior attack Griffin LeBlond played all 13 matches this year as the Greyhounds went 7-6. LeBlond contributed 22 goals and nine assists for 31 points to go with 17 ground balls and four caused turnovers. He completed his career with 59 goals, 19 assists, 25 ground balls and eight caused turnovers in 33 matches.
"Griffin LeBlond is an incredible leader and player for our team," commented Head Coach Dave Carty. "He plays incredibly hard on the field and has been a great inside finisher for us. I don't think there is a more popular and respected player in our locker room."
Golf
Junior Andrew Hozza, who also starts for Moravian's men's tennis team when not on the golf course, averaged 80.48 strokes per round in 2021-22 over 16.5 rounds, and he also recorded five top 10 finishes. Hozza tied for 28th at the 2022 Landmark Conference Golf Championships, and he also went 7-0 in singles and 4-1 in doubles on the tennis court.
"Andrew is always respectful of the other players and is easy to get along with on the course," stated Head Coach Kevin Edwards.
