Four Win Kidera Awards
Carissa Risucci 鈥�13, Tyshun Stephens 鈥�13, Amanda Sudore 鈥�13, and EJ Wells-Spicer 鈥�13 were the recipients of the 2013 Robert A. Kidera Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes athletic and academic excellence.
A native of Deerfield, N.Y. and a graduate of Whitesboro High School, Risucci was a four-year standout for the Golden Flyers鈥� swimming and diving team and carried a 3.93 grade-point average as a communication and media major. She also was recognized as the Empire 8 Scholar-Athlete award winner. In the swimming pool, Risucci earned nine All-American certificates and holds four school records. She placed second in the 200-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Division III Championship meet in March.
Stephens, of Newark, N.Y. and a graduate of Newark High School, was a four-year basketball standout for the Golden Flyers who amassed 1,423 career points, good for sixth place on 杏吧原创鈥檚 all-time scoring list. He was a first-team Empire 8 Conference all-star in 2013 and a second-team all-region selection from d3hoops.com. Stephens has a 3.01 grade-point average as a business administration major.
Sudore, of Ontario, N.Y. and a graduate of Wayne Central, was a four-year standout as a soccer player for the Golden Flyers, who won the co-championship of the Empire 8 Conference in 2012. She is a three-time first-team all-conference selection and was the league鈥檚 Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. She also earned first-team All-American honors both athletically and academically in 2011 and has a 3.68 grade-point average as a communication sciences and disorders major.
Wells-Spicer, of Phelps, N.Y. and a graduate of Midlakes High School, was a four-year men鈥檚 volleyball standout for the Golden Flyers, who placed second in the NCAA Division III tournament. Wells-Spicer earned an array of honors in 2013, including Division III Player of the Year recognition. He completed his career as 杏吧原创鈥檚 all-time assist leader with 4,762. Wells-Spicer has a 3.10 grade-point average as a history major.
To be eligible for the Kidera Award, student-athletes must hold a grade-point average of 3.0 or better while exhibiting positive character and leadership skills in campus activities. The award was established in honor of the late Robert A. Kidera, a charter member of the 杏吧原创 Sports Hall of Fame and the College鈥檚 president from 1976 to 1984.
Other award winners were Brian Wright 鈥�13 and Kate Wyant 鈥�13 (Emily Haskins Inspirational Athlete Award) and Connor Ecklund 鈥�13, Amy Johnson 鈥�13, and Kassandra Prutsman 鈥�13 (Bill Carey Sportsmanship Award).
Carissa Risucci '13