RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Kate Bowen (softball) and Mohamed Koita (track & field) were honored as Manhattan College's Student-Athletes of the Year at the 74th annual Block M awards dinner in Draddy Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
The Manhattan College Class of 2014 valedictorian, Bowen is the softball team's top pitcher and hitter, leading the squad in batting average, hits and stolen bases. She is tied for the team lead in runs scored and doubles and is tops on the pitching staff in earned run average, wins and complete games. She is a three-time MAAC All-Academic team honoree, a two-time Academic All-District recipient and one of 30 national candidates for the Senior CLASS Award.
A two-time All-American, Koita gained All-America status in the high jump for the second consecutive season, placing 15th nationally at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March. He was the first Jasper to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships in five years. Koita is the Manhattan College record holder in the high jump and can make a return appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships next month.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award was received by volleyball's Juliana Behrens. Behrens worked her way back from an injury to be a key contributor to Manhattan's 20-win team this season. The Jaspers posted a 13-5 mark in conference play and its 8-1 start to MAAC play equaled the best start in program history.
The John Daly Service Award was presented to Manhattan College's team physicians - Dr. Anthony Maddalo, Dr. Gregg Cavaliere, Dr. Nicole Solomos and Dr. Brighid Scesny for their work in helping Manhattan College student-athletes rehabilitate injuries and return to competition.
The Junius Kellogg Award went to retiring Director of Athletics Bob Byrnes '68. Byrnes is completing his 26th year at the helm of the Jaspers' athletics department next month, capping a long tenure of academic and athletics success. It includes 26 Academic All-Americans, 78 MAAC Championships, 11 20-win seasons in men's basketball and eight NCAA Tournament appearances for Manhattan's men's and women's basketball programs.
2014 Manhattan College Outstanding Performer Awards (outdoor track & field awards announced after the season)
2014 Manhattan College M Jasper Awards (given to the graduating senior with the team's highest grade point average)
