TROY, N.Y. — In this edition of Division 2 on Campus, we take a look at how our local student-athletes are faring in college ranks across the country. We cover everything from basketball, hockey, indoor track, swimming and diving. Statistics are as of December 15, 2023. If we missed anyone, please email our sports department.
Men’s college basketball:
Joey Atkins, Watervliet, Daemen: The Watervliet graduate was named Daemen’s Athlete of the Month for November after kicking off his senior season by being named the East Coast Conference Preseason Player of the Year, as released by the conference before the season. He has also earned three ECC Defensive Player of the Week awards. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 12.3 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game. He scored a season-high 23 points against Western Washington in the season-opening D2CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic in Vancouver, British Columbia, and pulled down a season-high 15 boards as well as 17 points for a double-double on December 8 in a victory at Molloy.
Luc Bourgeault, La Salle Institute, Utica: The La Salle Institute graduate is averaging 7.9 points per game. He was named Empire 8 Player of the Week for the week of November 27, 2023. Bourgeault shined in Utica’s 71-56 win over SUNY Poly in the final with a Pioneer career-high 21 points, including a 3-for 6 from abroad. Arc and 4-for-4 from the foul line. He was also efficient on defense with four steals and active on the glass with five rebounds and a block.
James Blake, Tamarac, Hudson Valley Community College: The Tamarac graduate is averaging 14.5 points per game in 11 contests for the Vikings.
Connor Cepiel, West Sand Lake, Union College: The La Salle Institute graduate is averaging 6.7 points per game for the Garnet Chargers.
JJ Chestnut, Watervliet, College of Staten Island: The Watervliet graduate is averaging 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in nine contests this season. He scored a season-high 16 points in a win over Queen’s College on December 2.
Christ Mallory, Watervliet, College of Staten Island: The Watervliet graduate is averaging 11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in eight contests. He recorded a season-high 16 points and 13 boards for a double-double in the win over Mercy.
Zachary Rice, Tamarac, SUNY Brockport: On December 5, the Tamarac graduate led the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles in scoring, scoring a career-high 17 points to go along with seven boards and three assists in a 94-84 loss to SUNY Morrisville. . He shot 50% from the floor and 50% from long range in the contest (6-for-12 FG, 3-for-6 3PT).
Jordan King, CBA, Richmond: The CBA graduate and former Siena Saints guard leads the Richmond Spiders and A10 conference with an average of 20.2 points per game.
Women’s basketball:
Anna Jankovic, Averil Park, Deauville: On Dec. 11, the Averil Park graduate earned All-East Coast Conference honors. On the campaign, she averaged 13.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. On December 15, she scored a season-high 23 points in a losing effort to Columbus State.
Logan Thien, Hoosick Falls, Cobleskill: The Hoosick Falls graduate was named the North Atlantic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 10, 2023. During that span, she recorded a pair of double-doubles while averaging 18.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, And 1.0 blocked shots per game, converting 20 of 34 shots from the field, 58.8%, and 13 of 14 free throw attempts, 92.9%. She is averaging 14.9 points per game this season.
Sydney Phillips, Tamarac, HVCC: The Tamarac graduate is averaging 13.4 points per contest in nine games this season for the Vikings.
Samantha Dayter, Cohoes, SUNY Canton: The Cohoes graduate is averaging 5.4 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. She scored a season-high 16 points and pulled down nine boards in a win over Eastern Nazarene on December 2.
Syrita Farage, Tamarac, College of Saint Rose: The Tamarac and Russell Sage College graduate transfer is averaging 12.4 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Golden Knights this season. She had a game-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a win over Roberts Wesleyan on December 11.
Kayla Carter, Watervliet native, St. Rose: The Watervliet native and Shaker High School graduate is averaging 5.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game for the Golden Knights in eight games this season. She scored a season-high 12 points in a December 5 win over St. Michael’s.
Amelia Wood, Averil Park, Sacred Heart: In 11 contests, the Averil Park graduate averaged 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. She notched a season-high 20 points in a win over Monmouth on November 15.
Kelsey Wood, Averil Park, Sacred Heart: In one game this season, the Averil Park graduate pulled down six boards and had an assist in a losing effort against Rhode Island on Nov. 7.
Ginalise Alarcón, Troy, College of Staten Island: The Troy graduate is averaging 9.7 points per contest on the campaign.
Swimming and diving for women:
Liana Badonina, Troy, St. Rose: The Troy graduate took first place in the 50-yard butterfly and 50-yard backstroke at a dual meet on Dec. 8 at Mount St. Mary’s. She got through the 50 fly in 28.12 seconds before hitting 30.21 on the back 50. Padunina also helped the Saint Rose Golden Knights win the 200 medley and 500 free relay. For this reason, it received NE10 weekly honors.
Willa Wierweis, Troy, Emma Willard, Lehigh: On Dec. 2, in a meet loss to Drexel, Troy native and graduate Emma Willard finished third in the 50-yard breaststroke for Lehigh. She also posted a third-place mark in the 150-yard freestyle (1:25.40) and a fourth-place mark in the 100-yard freestyle (54.84).
Eileen Gillan, Rensselaer, St. Michael: On Nov. 18 at the North Country Invitational, the Rensselaer graduate ran the 400 free.
Swimming and diving for men:
Nathan Green, Troy, St. Rose: The Troy graduate placed first in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:55.44 and first in the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 10:16.68 at the CSI Invitational on Dec. 4 in Staten Island. He also placed second in the 400-meter sea race with a time of 4:23.34 seconds and the 200-meter freestyle race.
Men’s hockey:
Logan Descanio, La Salle Institute, University of New England (Maine): The La Salle Institute graduate has two goals and one assist in 10 games this season.
Women’s indoor track and field:
Charisma Luce, Troy, Lansingburg, Russell Sage College: On Dec. 2, in Springfield College’s season opener, the Lansingburg graduate broke the Russell Sage College state record for the 1,000 meters with a time of 3:46.28.
In the second section of the Troy Record, we delve into the happenings on campus. From student events and organizations to campus news and updates, this section is where you can stay informed about all that is going on in the lively and diverse Troy campus community. Whether it’s highlighting the achievements of student athletes, showcasing the latest research initiatives, or shedding light on student activism, this section is the ultimate guide to campus life at Troy. Stay connected and in the know with the news and happenings in Section 2 on Campus.