2021 Bucknell Athletics Senior Award Recipients Announced; Maura Fiamoncini & Simeon Page Claim Christy Mathewson Award
5/17/2021 10:04:00 AM | Bison Club
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Each year, the Bucknell Department of Athletics & Recreation bestows 11 different awards to outstanding student-athletes in the senior class. These senior awards recognize a wide range of accomplishments, from on-field success, to academics, community service, commitment to diversity, and other contributions to the department and to the University.
Each day during the week of May 17, we revealed the award winners on the @Bucknell_Bison twitter account, and a running log has been posted here as well. Congratulations to all of this year's awards recipients! Monday:
12:30 p.m. -- RONALD J. "PETE" PEDRICK AWARD: Presented in recognition of demonstrated improvement and special contributions to Bucknell athletics over a four-year period. (RECIPIENTS: Tessa Brugler, Connor McMenamin)
1 p.m. -- EDWARD W. PANGBURN AWARD: Presented for sportsmanship, fellowship, and contribution to the University. (RECIPIENTS: Kali Peeples, Tyler Keiser)
1:30 p.m. -- 'RAY BUCKNELL AWARD: Presented to the senior student-athlete who through his/her actions has worked to eliminate attitudes and actions that have separated, excluded or marginalized people in the past and has facilitated true understanding and recognition among multiple campus and Lewisburg community constituencies. (RECIPIENTS: Abby Kapp, Autumn Ceppi)
Tuesday:
11 a.m. -- LEE S. "BUD" RANCK MEMORIAL AWARD: Presented for outstanding spirit and contributions to the Bucknell athletics program. (RECIPIENTS: Ashley Blair, Matt Thorsheim)
12 p.m. -- BRYAN-HUMPHREYS AWARD: Presented to a student-athlete who has exhibited exceptional versatility within his/her sport, displaying outstanding achievement and the selfless determination to help the team succeed by contributing in a variety of ways. (RECIPIENTS: Alex Butz, P.J. Barr)
Wednesday:
11 a.m. -- JOHN F. ZELLER AWARD: Presented for outstanding contributions to Bison Athletics, while exemplifying the best of Bucknell in the manner that John Zeller did in his 68 years of service to the University. (RECIPIENTS: Leah Fogelsanger, Peter Marren)
12 p.m. -- ROBERT A. LATOUR SERVICE AWARD: Presented for extraordinary service to Bucknell and local communities. (RECIPIENTS: Bri Kropinack, Eamon O'Connor)
Thursday:
11 a.m. -- BRADLEY N. TUFTS AWARD: Presented in recognition of exceptional athletic achievement and contribution to Bucknell athletics. (RECIPIENTS: Ally Furano, Nicholas Marino)
12 p.m. -- BISON CLUB AWARD: Presented to the senior athletes who best exemplify the winning spirit of the University's athletic program. (RECIPIENTS: Maggie Wyngowski, Chris Tanabe)
Friday:
11 a.m. -- ALVIN F. JACKSON, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD: Presented for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, and future promise as Bucknell alumni. (RECIPIENTS: Kaelyn Long, Rick Mottram)
12 p.m. -- CHRISTY MATHEWSON AWARD: Presented to the outstanding senior athletes. (RECIPIENTS: Maura Fiamoncini, Simeon Page)
CHRISTY MATHEWSON AWARD
MAURA FIAMONCINI, Women's Track & Field
It is not hyperbole to say that no athlete in the history of the Bucknell track & field program has ever thrown a javelin like Maura Fiamoncini. A native of nearby Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, Maura broke the school record in the javelin in the very first meet of her collegiate career … and she broke the record by more than 25 feet! It's been an uphill ascent ever since then. Maura has dominated the Patriot League Championship in all three of her appearances, claiming three gold medals by huge margins. Twice she went on to post top-five finishes at the NCAA Regional meet, and both times she went on to earn All-America honors at the NCAA finals. Maura finished ninth nationally in 2019 and 13th in 2018, and she is the only two-time All-American in Bucknell women's track & field history. Despite competing though a shoulder injury, she has topped the 180-foot mark again this season, she currently owns the eighth-best throw in the nation, and she will be competing at nationals again later this month looking for a third All-America citation. Maura has also performed on the international stage. She placed 14th at the Junior World Championships in Finland in 2018, and she has qualified for this summer's U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon. In addition to her prowess throwing the javelin, Maura is also a Dean's List student majoring in mathematics.
SIMEON PAGE, Football
Simeon Page has terrorized opposing teams' offenses since his freshman campaign on the Bucknell football team. Head coach Dave Cecchini praised his ability to change games defensively, noting that he could always be counted on to force a critical turnover or make a momentum-changing hit. Simeon burst onto the scene by setting a rookie school standard with nine sacks, a school record four of which came in the 2017 finale at Fordham. As sensational as that performance was, the best was yet to come. He ultimately became the fifth Bison to make four All-Patriot League Teams, wrapping up his storied career with 160 tackles, 40 tackles for a loss of 219 yards, 26 1/2 sacks for a loss of 179 yards, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and one interception in 31 career games. Simeon entered his abbreviated senior campaign with 22 1/2 career sacks, three shy of a Bucknell school record unmatched since 1995; he recorded a sack in each of the Bison's four games to seize sole possession of this record. The team captain's disruptive play helped the Bison earn a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Along with making four All-Patriot League Teams, the final three of which were First Team nods, Simeon earned a spot on the 2021 Spring Academic All-Patriot League Team for his academic success as an English-Creative Writing major.
ALVIN F. JACKSON MEMORIAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
KAELYN LONG, Field Hockey
As one of the top field hockey players in the Patriot League, it's hard to believe Kaelyn Long's resume is just as impressive in the classroom as it has been on the field during her career. She's twice been voted to the Academic All-Patriot League Team and is a three-time NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad member. Her outstanding 3.92 GPA has landed her a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll each year as well. Kaelyn is the epitome of an "involved" student-athlete as a sports writer for the Bucknellian, a Bucknell Buddies tutor, a member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute, and as a coach for local club field hockey teams. She helped found the Bison Cares program, which involved student-athletes from each sport taking on community service projects. On the field, Kaelyn has been voted to the All-Patriot League Team two times and was recognized as the Patriot League Tournament MVP this season after scoring the game-winning goal in the championship game against Boston University to give the Bison their first-ever league title. She captained a Bucknell team that earned a win in the first round of this year's NCAA tournament, and she finishes her career with 25 points on nine goals and seven assists.
RICK MOTTRAM, Football
Rick Mottram is a true scholar-athlete. A football team captain, he has excelled on the field and in the classroom during his time at Bucknell. On the field, he logged 170 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 28 career games, 17 of which were starts. As a junior, he became the first Bison since 2014 to post at least 100 tackles in a single season. In the classroom, Rick has maintained a near perfect grade point average in Bucknell's rigorous mechanical engineering program while also obtaining a minor in physics. For his efforts, he was recognized as a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American, a William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist and a Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year; he was also voted to three-straight Academic All-Patriot League Teams. Over the last four years Rick has logged numerous hours as a peer tutor and research assistant, and he has also done extensive volunteer work in the community. Rick also served as a private equity summer analyst for Twin Bridge Capital Partners, a mechanical engineering intern for Princetel Inc. and a research and web design intern for Lohnpack Contract Filling. He will work as a systems engineer at Lockheed Martin Space following his graduation from Bucknell.
BISON CLUB AWARD
MAGGIE WYNGOWSKI, Women's Swimming & Diving
Maggie Wyngowski has made an impact for the Bucknell women's swimming & diving team since arriving in Lewisburg. As a first-year, she became the second Bison to be named the Rookie of the Patriot League Championship Meet after capturing a silver medal in the 400 IM and placing fourth in the 200 breaststroke and the 200 IM. Maggie's silver medal proved to be her first of five; the following year, she again placed second in the 400 IM. As a junior, at what proved to be her final Patriot League Championships, she won a gold medal in the 400 IM behind a school-record time of 4:15.26, a silver medal in the 200 IM behind a school-record time of 2:00.15 and a bronze medal in the 200 breaststroke. She ultimately scored a combined 147 points at the Patriot League Championships, making all three possible All-Patriot League First Teams during her time as a Bison. A winner of 41 individual races, she will graduate with Bucknell records in the 200 breaststroke, 200 IM and 400 IM; notably, she is the first Bison to clear 2:15 in the 200 breaststroke, 2:02 in the 200 IM and 4:18 in the 400 IM. She was also a member of three medley relay teams with program top-10 times, including the record holding 200 medley relay team. A double major in psychology and Italian studies, she was voted to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team on the strength of her performance in the classroom and in competition.
CHRIS TANABE, Men's Golf
Chris Tanabe will go down as one of the finest players in Bison men's golf history. An All-Patriot League selection in 2019 and the winner of two collegiate tournaments, Chris will graduate with the second-lowest career scoring average in program history at 74.4. Last year he had just broken the record for lowest fall scoring average at 72.1 and was off to a great start in the spring when the pandemic halted play for the year. In the fall of 2019, he won the Dartmouth Invitational with scores of 68 and 65. His 9-under total of 133 was a school record for a 36-hole event, and he joined Ben Pellicani as the only Bison ever to shoot 65. Earlier that summer, Chris returned home from a study abroad program in Spain and went right out and won the Pennsylvania Amateur Championship, shooting 5-under par over 54 holes to win the prestigious title by two shots.
BRADLEY N. TUFTS AWARD
ALLY FURANO, Women's Water Polo
Quite simply, Ally Furano was a goal-scoring machine for the Bison women's water polo team. When Ally arrived at Bucknell, the team record for goals in a season was 75. As a sophomore in 2019, she poured in 123, smashing that 10-year-old record by a whopping 48 goals. She scored 77 more goals in less than half a season in 2020, and she will graduate as Bucknell's all-time leader with 293 goals. Even though her junior and senior seasons were both shortened by the pandemic, Ally owns the career goal-scoring mark by 56 goals, and her 380 career points are second-most in school history. Ally is a two-time All-CWPA selection and a two-time Honorable Mention All-American. Most importantly, she contributed to one of the most successful eras of Bison water polo. Her class contributed to a stellar 64-38 record over the last four years, and Bucknell's third and second-place finishes at the last two CWPA Championships are the best in program history. Ally is also a Dean's List student with a double major in economics and political science, and she has been a part of the CWPA's Academic Super Recognition team every year so far.
NICHOLAS MARINO, Men's Track & Field
Nicholas Marino is one of the top pole vaulters ever to compete with the Bucknell track & field team. A 2019 NCAA regional qualifier, Nick's career best of 16 feet, 7 ¾ inches is the second-best mark in team history. He won a silver medal with a runner-up finish at the 2020 Patriot League Indoor Championships, and the previous year he finished fifth at the IC4A Championships.
ROBERT A. LATOUR SERVICE AWARD
BRI KROPINACK, Women's Soccer
Bri Kropinack's passion for people and for the sport of soccer extended well beyond the Bucknell campus, and even well beyond international borders. As a rare two-year team captain for the Bison women's soccer team, Bri was a major contributor as an attacking player right from day one. She recorded three goals and two assists during her rookie campaign and was a key part of a Bucknell team that won its second straight Patriot League championship. She recorded four goals and five assists while playing in 56 career games in Orange & Blue. Off the pitch, Bri traveled the world with the Goals for Girls organization, using the platform of soccer to help empower young girls in impoverished areas of India and Africa. She also volunteered with the Summitt Early Learning Center and Ainsley's Angels; she was an active member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute; and she is a Dean's List student majoring in international relations.
EAMON O'CONNOR, Men's Soccer
Eamon O'Connor was a versatile member of the Bison men's soccer team, playing both forward and defender during his time with the Orange & Blue. But his contributions to Bison Athletics extended well beyond the touch line at Emmitt Field. Throughout his time at Bucknell, Eamon has been heavily involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and this past year he served as chair of the organization's Community Service Committee. He oversaw major initiatives like the Turkey & Trimmings Basket collection, which helped provide Thanksgiving Dinner to more than 600 families in need. He also oversaw a canned food drive that collected more than 1,000 items for the Union County Food Hub. Eamon was the men's soccer team's representative on the newly formed Bison Cares community service group, and this past year he helped recruit volunteers for the Bison Athletes of Color virtual reading initiative with Kelly Elementary School. Eamon gave hundreds of hours of his time to charitable causes over the last four years, and he did it all while excelling as a student majoring in mechanical engineering with minors in Spanish and mathematics.
JOHN F. ZELLER AWARD
LEAH FOGELSANGER, Field Hockey
Leah Fogelsanger has been the embodiment of toughness and grit throughout her Bucknell field hockey career. She's been a mainstay on the Bison attack over the past two seasons, starting all 28 games and earning All-Patriot League recognition twice. In fact, she never missed one of Bucknell's 66 games played since she arrived on campus in 2017. Leah led the Bison in points as a junior with seven goals and a pair of assists, and this season she captained a Bucknell team that captured its first-ever Patriot League title as well as a first-round win in the NCAA tournament. Leah's leadership doesn't end when she steps off the field. She's served as the president of Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has been a member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute. Leah has also been a Bucknell representative on the Patriot League Mental Health and Wellbeing subcommittee and a co-editor of the Bucknellian sports page. On top of her extra-curricular activities, Leah has earned NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad status three times and is a three-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
PETER MARREN, Baseball
After waiting his turn as a reserve during his first two seasons at Bucknell, Peter Marren has broken through and become one of the Patriot League's top hitters in 2021. A unanimous selection for team captain, Peter is the son of two Bucknell alumni and simply bleeds Orange & Blue. His hard work in the weight room and in the batting cages has clearly paid off. His batting average was a stellar .315 through the first weekend in May, and he ranked in the top 10 in the Patriot League in both hits and average. He has 12 multi-hit games this season, including three straight in a recent three-game series against Navy in which the Bison won 2 of 3. Off the diamond, Peter is a Dean's List student majoring in accounting & financial management.
BRYAN-HUMPHREYS AWARD
ALEX BUTZ, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
High-flying Alexandra Butz will graduate as one of Bucknell's all-time best in both the pole vault and the high jump. Most notably, after finishing second in the high jump at three straight Patriot League Indoor Championships, Alex broke through this spring and captured her first league title at the Outdoor Championships at West Point. She set a new PR along the way – 5 feet, 6 ½ inches -- and moved up to fourth on Bucknell's all-time performers list. Alex will also graduate ranked No. 2 in school history in the pole vault, with her career best of 12 feet, 5 ½ inches trailing only Hall-of-Famer Melanize Buczko. Away from the track, Alex is a Dean's List student majoring in global management.
P.J. Barr, Football
P.J. Barr's versatility is undeniable. Over the course of his career, he achieved the rare distinction of starting games all five positions on the Bucknell football team's offensive line. Head coach Dave Cecchini praised the team captain for his vocal leadership and competitive fire, noting that his versatility gave the Bison the flexibility to put their five best offensive linemen on the field at any given time, regardless of their position. P.J. appeared in all 37 of Bucknell's games during his time in Lewisburg, starting the final 34 in a row to lead his class in career starts. He made 11 starts at right guard, 10 starts at left guard, nine starts at left tackle, three starts at right tackle and one start at center. His starts at center and right tackle came during his senior campaign, during which the Bison earned a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. P.J will graduate as a two-time All-Patriot League selection, having made the 2021 Spring First Team and the 2019 Second Team.
LEE S. "BUD" RANCK AWARD
ASHLEY BLAIR, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Selinsgrove native Ashley Blair is one of only five Bison women ever to earn three All-Patriot League citations in cross country. She finished 5th, 6th and 7th in her three appearances in the league meet, and she was Bucknell's No. 2 runner as a freshman in 2018, when the Bison splashed their way to a league title in the pouring rain on their home course. Ashley owns a Patriot League gold medal on the track, as she won the 3,000 meters indoors in 2019. She also took fifth in the 5,000 at the same meet, and then later that spring she took home the bronze medal in the 10K at the outdoor championships. Ashley is Bucknell's fifth-fastest all-time performer in the 3,000, and as a biology major she was named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team in cross country this spring.
MATT THORSHEIM, Men's Soccer
Patriot League men's soccer is littered with talented players across all 10 teams, so earning a spot on the all-league team is quite an accomplishment. Bison midfielder Matt Thorsheim did it four times. He became Bucknell's first four-time all-league selection since his older brother Chris from 2012-2015. Matt is also a two-time All-Region honoree, and he will graduate with 14 goals and 12 assists in his terrific career. Not only was he a star on the field, but as a Dean's List student in accounting & financial management, Matt is a two-time Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He is only the third Bison ever to receive that distinction twice, and he is just the second Bison to earn a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League Team in all three seasons of eligibility.
'RAY BUCKNELL AWARD
ABBY KAPP, Women's Basketball
As a three-year starter and a senior captain, Abby Kapp has been a driving force in some of the most successful seasons the Bison women's basketball program has ever seen. It's her impact off the court, however, that reaches far beyond the Bucknell community. Last summer, Abby joined together with athletes from rival universities in order to form the Patriot League Social Justice Coalition to advocate for positive change in the communities and campuses across the league. She was also selected to serve as a member on the Bucknell Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council last summer to engage Bison student-athletes, coaches and staff in conversations and action plans related to such areas. Last summer, she interned with the Shepherd Higher Consortium on Poverty in Lewisburg, where she developed a comprehensive voter registration plan. She coordinated efforts among local organizations, including The Hub for Progress and the Envisioning Project, committed to social change in Central Pennsylvania. She also helped organize the Bison Votes initiative on campus. In 108 games played and 78 starts for the Orange & Blue, Abby finished her basketball career with 902 points scored and a program-record 196 3-pointers made. As one of the Patriot League's most decorated basketball players in recent years, Abby has been a two-time All-Patriot League selection, a 2018 member of the All-Rookie Team, a two-time Academic All-League honoree, and a Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
AUTUMN CEPPI, Women's Basketball
Few players can be described as more unselfish on the basketball court than Autumn Ceppi. The trait carries over into the community, where Autumn has dedicated much of Bucknell career to making a difference in the lives of her fellow students. She's been heavily involved in Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory committee, both as a women's basketball representative and as the director of the Social Responsibility committee, as well as a member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute. Autumn has been a staunch advocate for social justice causes on campus and beyond as a member of the Bison Athletes of Color group and the Patriot League Social Justice Coalition. After serving as a key reserve for the women's basketball team through her first few seasons, Autumn entered the starting lineup this year and was a dominant force on a defensive unit that limited opponents to 55 points per contest while leading the team with 3.8 assists a game. She became the first Bison in nearly a decade to provide double-digit assists in a single outing and was named to the 2021 All-Defensive team. The senior captain finishes her career with 358 points and 249 rebounds in an even 100 games played.
EDWARD W. PANGBURN AWARD
KALI PEEPLES, Women's Lacrosse
Kali Peeples has been a leader not just on the Bucknell women's lacrosse team, but also in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus and in the Patriot League. A two-year team captain, she started 28 of her 38 career games at attack, logging 42 points on 37 goals and five assists and adding 68 draw controls and 16 ground balls. Off the field, Kali was instrumental in forming the Bison Athletes of Color student-run affinity group, which strives to build a community among student-athletes of color where they can come together in a space with shared experiences. In addition to serving on the Bison Athletes of Color's inaugural executive board, she was a founding member of the Patriot League Student-Athletes of Color Leadership Council and the Bucknell Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Kali also served as Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice President this year. In the classroom, Kali was a biology and Africana studies double major. Outside of Bucknell, she interned in the United States' Attorney's Office and for Johnson & Johnson Federal Affairs; she also completed an internship for Juma Art Tours in Cape Town, South Africa, where she explored how South Africa is addressing the legacy of apartheid through social entrepreneurship and community development.
TYLER KEISER, Football
Tyler Keiser has been an ambassador for the Bucknell Athletics Department as an intern, a Bison Nation student fan group leader and a football kicker. A native of nearby Paxinos who was born in Lewisburg and grew up attending Bison sporting events, it's safe to say that Tyler bleeds Orange and Blue. He broke into the athletics department as a marketing intern in 2018. Fans likely know him as the gameday emcee in the bright orange wig. His enthusiasm, energy and determination rallied crowds during home basketball and football games; his out-of-the-box ideas also helped create a better entertainment atmosphere. As Bucknell Athletics' Executive Intern in a year without fans due to COVID-19 safety protocols, Tyler helped create a virtual basketball season ticket plan that included fan cutouts, an ESPN+ subscription, an exclusive Bison basketball face covering and more. Throughout both of his internships, he could always be counted on to help out whenever needed, even donning the Bucky costume on numerous occasions. At Southern Columbia High School, Tyler lettered in five different sports; notably, he was a member of the 2015 PIAA AA state championship football team. He returned to the football field during his senior year at Bucknell; when the Bison's placekicker was felled by injury, he walked onto the team in October 2019 and assumed kicking duties for the final three games. During the 2021 spring season, he served as Bucknell's left-footed kickoff specialist. In the classroom, Tyler completed a five-year dual degree program, obtaining degrees in civil engineering and management for engineers.
RONALD J. "PETE" PEDRICK AWARD
TESSA BRUGLER, Women's Basketball
Tessa Brugler went from seeing limited minutes off the bench to becoming one of the most dominant post players in the Patriot League over her final two seasons on the Bucknell women's basketball team. Tessa turned into a weight room warrior between her sophomore and junior seasons, and the results paid off when she entered the starting lineup in 2019. She averaged 10.7 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field over her final two seasons to lead the Bison to two regular season titles. Tessa became a double-double machine, recording 10 in her 35 starts. She averaged a double-double this season with 13.2 points and 10 rebounds a game. She led the Bison in rebounding 18 times over her final two seasons, including a career-best 19 boards in a road win over Lehigh. Her efforts were recognized league-wide, as she earned All-Patriot League status twice, All-Defensive team accolades as a senior, and All-Tournament Team honors in 2021. She was also named the Patriot League Player of the Week three times during her career. Tessa served as a two-time team captain and has qualified for the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll three times.
CONNOR McMENAMIN, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Connor McMenamin has not only made great strides during his four years at Bucknell, but he is leaving his mark as one of the top Bison distance runners of recent times. After two straight Patriot League runner-up finishes in the steeplechase, Connor broke through this spring and won his first conference gold medal. He ran the fourth-fastest winning steeplechase time in Patriot League Championship history, and he also moved up a spot into fourth place on Bucknell's all-time performance list by running the fastest time by a Bison in 11 years. Connor's steeplechase performance added to a banner spring, as just a few weeks earlier he earned First Team All-Patriot League honors with a fifth-place finish at the Patriot League Cross Country Championship. Connor was also an all-star in the classroom. As an international relations major with a GPA above 3.9, he is a two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection.
Each day during the week of May 17, we revealed the award winners on the @Bucknell_Bison twitter account, and a running log has been posted here as well. Congratulations to all of this year's awards recipients! Monday:
12:30 p.m. -- RONALD J. "PETE" PEDRICK AWARD: Presented in recognition of demonstrated improvement and special contributions to Bucknell athletics over a four-year period. (RECIPIENTS: Tessa Brugler, Connor McMenamin)
1 p.m. -- EDWARD W. PANGBURN AWARD: Presented for sportsmanship, fellowship, and contribution to the University. (RECIPIENTS: Kali Peeples, Tyler Keiser)
1:30 p.m. -- 'RAY BUCKNELL AWARD: Presented to the senior student-athlete who through his/her actions has worked to eliminate attitudes and actions that have separated, excluded or marginalized people in the past and has facilitated true understanding and recognition among multiple campus and Lewisburg community constituencies. (RECIPIENTS: Abby Kapp, Autumn Ceppi)
Tuesday:
11 a.m. -- LEE S. "BUD" RANCK MEMORIAL AWARD: Presented for outstanding spirit and contributions to the Bucknell athletics program. (RECIPIENTS: Ashley Blair, Matt Thorsheim)
12 p.m. -- BRYAN-HUMPHREYS AWARD: Presented to a student-athlete who has exhibited exceptional versatility within his/her sport, displaying outstanding achievement and the selfless determination to help the team succeed by contributing in a variety of ways. (RECIPIENTS: Alex Butz, P.J. Barr)
Wednesday:
11 a.m. -- JOHN F. ZELLER AWARD: Presented for outstanding contributions to Bison Athletics, while exemplifying the best of Bucknell in the manner that John Zeller did in his 68 years of service to the University. (RECIPIENTS: Leah Fogelsanger, Peter Marren)
12 p.m. -- ROBERT A. LATOUR SERVICE AWARD: Presented for extraordinary service to Bucknell and local communities. (RECIPIENTS: Bri Kropinack, Eamon O'Connor)
Thursday:
11 a.m. -- BRADLEY N. TUFTS AWARD: Presented in recognition of exceptional athletic achievement and contribution to Bucknell athletics. (RECIPIENTS: Ally Furano, Nicholas Marino)
12 p.m. -- BISON CLUB AWARD: Presented to the senior athletes who best exemplify the winning spirit of the University's athletic program. (RECIPIENTS: Maggie Wyngowski, Chris Tanabe)
Friday:
11 a.m. -- ALVIN F. JACKSON, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD: Presented for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, and future promise as Bucknell alumni. (RECIPIENTS: Kaelyn Long, Rick Mottram)
12 p.m. -- CHRISTY MATHEWSON AWARD: Presented to the outstanding senior athletes. (RECIPIENTS: Maura Fiamoncini, Simeon Page)
CHRISTY MATHEWSON AWARD
MAURA FIAMONCINI, Women's Track & Field
It is not hyperbole to say that no athlete in the history of the Bucknell track & field program has ever thrown a javelin like Maura Fiamoncini. A native of nearby Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, Maura broke the school record in the javelin in the very first meet of her collegiate career … and she broke the record by more than 25 feet! It's been an uphill ascent ever since then. Maura has dominated the Patriot League Championship in all three of her appearances, claiming three gold medals by huge margins. Twice she went on to post top-five finishes at the NCAA Regional meet, and both times she went on to earn All-America honors at the NCAA finals. Maura finished ninth nationally in 2019 and 13th in 2018, and she is the only two-time All-American in Bucknell women's track & field history. Despite competing though a shoulder injury, she has topped the 180-foot mark again this season, she currently owns the eighth-best throw in the nation, and she will be competing at nationals again later this month looking for a third All-America citation. Maura has also performed on the international stage. She placed 14th at the Junior World Championships in Finland in 2018, and she has qualified for this summer's U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon. In addition to her prowess throwing the javelin, Maura is also a Dean's List student majoring in mathematics.
SIMEON PAGE, Football
Simeon Page has terrorized opposing teams' offenses since his freshman campaign on the Bucknell football team. Head coach Dave Cecchini praised his ability to change games defensively, noting that he could always be counted on to force a critical turnover or make a momentum-changing hit. Simeon burst onto the scene by setting a rookie school standard with nine sacks, a school record four of which came in the 2017 finale at Fordham. As sensational as that performance was, the best was yet to come. He ultimately became the fifth Bison to make four All-Patriot League Teams, wrapping up his storied career with 160 tackles, 40 tackles for a loss of 219 yards, 26 1/2 sacks for a loss of 179 yards, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and one interception in 31 career games. Simeon entered his abbreviated senior campaign with 22 1/2 career sacks, three shy of a Bucknell school record unmatched since 1995; he recorded a sack in each of the Bison's four games to seize sole possession of this record. The team captain's disruptive play helped the Bison earn a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. Along with making four All-Patriot League Teams, the final three of which were First Team nods, Simeon earned a spot on the 2021 Spring Academic All-Patriot League Team for his academic success as an English-Creative Writing major.
ALVIN F. JACKSON MEMORIAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
KAELYN LONG, Field Hockey
As one of the top field hockey players in the Patriot League, it's hard to believe Kaelyn Long's resume is just as impressive in the classroom as it has been on the field during her career. She's twice been voted to the Academic All-Patriot League Team and is a three-time NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad member. Her outstanding 3.92 GPA has landed her a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll each year as well. Kaelyn is the epitome of an "involved" student-athlete as a sports writer for the Bucknellian, a Bucknell Buddies tutor, a member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute, and as a coach for local club field hockey teams. She helped found the Bison Cares program, which involved student-athletes from each sport taking on community service projects. On the field, Kaelyn has been voted to the All-Patriot League Team two times and was recognized as the Patriot League Tournament MVP this season after scoring the game-winning goal in the championship game against Boston University to give the Bison their first-ever league title. She captained a Bucknell team that earned a win in the first round of this year's NCAA tournament, and she finishes her career with 25 points on nine goals and seven assists.
RICK MOTTRAM, Football
Rick Mottram is a true scholar-athlete. A football team captain, he has excelled on the field and in the classroom during his time at Bucknell. On the field, he logged 170 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 28 career games, 17 of which were starts. As a junior, he became the first Bison since 2014 to post at least 100 tackles in a single season. In the classroom, Rick has maintained a near perfect grade point average in Bucknell's rigorous mechanical engineering program while also obtaining a minor in physics. For his efforts, he was recognized as a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American, a William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist and a Patriot League Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year; he was also voted to three-straight Academic All-Patriot League Teams. Over the last four years Rick has logged numerous hours as a peer tutor and research assistant, and he has also done extensive volunteer work in the community. Rick also served as a private equity summer analyst for Twin Bridge Capital Partners, a mechanical engineering intern for Princetel Inc. and a research and web design intern for Lohnpack Contract Filling. He will work as a systems engineer at Lockheed Martin Space following his graduation from Bucknell.
BISON CLUB AWARD
MAGGIE WYNGOWSKI, Women's Swimming & Diving
Maggie Wyngowski has made an impact for the Bucknell women's swimming & diving team since arriving in Lewisburg. As a first-year, she became the second Bison to be named the Rookie of the Patriot League Championship Meet after capturing a silver medal in the 400 IM and placing fourth in the 200 breaststroke and the 200 IM. Maggie's silver medal proved to be her first of five; the following year, she again placed second in the 400 IM. As a junior, at what proved to be her final Patriot League Championships, she won a gold medal in the 400 IM behind a school-record time of 4:15.26, a silver medal in the 200 IM behind a school-record time of 2:00.15 and a bronze medal in the 200 breaststroke. She ultimately scored a combined 147 points at the Patriot League Championships, making all three possible All-Patriot League First Teams during her time as a Bison. A winner of 41 individual races, she will graduate with Bucknell records in the 200 breaststroke, 200 IM and 400 IM; notably, she is the first Bison to clear 2:15 in the 200 breaststroke, 2:02 in the 200 IM and 4:18 in the 400 IM. She was also a member of three medley relay teams with program top-10 times, including the record holding 200 medley relay team. A double major in psychology and Italian studies, she was voted to the 2021 Academic All-Patriot League Team on the strength of her performance in the classroom and in competition.
CHRIS TANABE, Men's Golf
Chris Tanabe will go down as one of the finest players in Bison men's golf history. An All-Patriot League selection in 2019 and the winner of two collegiate tournaments, Chris will graduate with the second-lowest career scoring average in program history at 74.4. Last year he had just broken the record for lowest fall scoring average at 72.1 and was off to a great start in the spring when the pandemic halted play for the year. In the fall of 2019, he won the Dartmouth Invitational with scores of 68 and 65. His 9-under total of 133 was a school record for a 36-hole event, and he joined Ben Pellicani as the only Bison ever to shoot 65. Earlier that summer, Chris returned home from a study abroad program in Spain and went right out and won the Pennsylvania Amateur Championship, shooting 5-under par over 54 holes to win the prestigious title by two shots.
BRADLEY N. TUFTS AWARD
ALLY FURANO, Women's Water Polo
Quite simply, Ally Furano was a goal-scoring machine for the Bison women's water polo team. When Ally arrived at Bucknell, the team record for goals in a season was 75. As a sophomore in 2019, she poured in 123, smashing that 10-year-old record by a whopping 48 goals. She scored 77 more goals in less than half a season in 2020, and she will graduate as Bucknell's all-time leader with 293 goals. Even though her junior and senior seasons were both shortened by the pandemic, Ally owns the career goal-scoring mark by 56 goals, and her 380 career points are second-most in school history. Ally is a two-time All-CWPA selection and a two-time Honorable Mention All-American. Most importantly, she contributed to one of the most successful eras of Bison water polo. Her class contributed to a stellar 64-38 record over the last four years, and Bucknell's third and second-place finishes at the last two CWPA Championships are the best in program history. Ally is also a Dean's List student with a double major in economics and political science, and she has been a part of the CWPA's Academic Super Recognition team every year so far.
NICHOLAS MARINO, Men's Track & Field
Nicholas Marino is one of the top pole vaulters ever to compete with the Bucknell track & field team. A 2019 NCAA regional qualifier, Nick's career best of 16 feet, 7 ¾ inches is the second-best mark in team history. He won a silver medal with a runner-up finish at the 2020 Patriot League Indoor Championships, and the previous year he finished fifth at the IC4A Championships.
ROBERT A. LATOUR SERVICE AWARD
BRI KROPINACK, Women's Soccer
Bri Kropinack's passion for people and for the sport of soccer extended well beyond the Bucknell campus, and even well beyond international borders. As a rare two-year team captain for the Bison women's soccer team, Bri was a major contributor as an attacking player right from day one. She recorded three goals and two assists during her rookie campaign and was a key part of a Bucknell team that won its second straight Patriot League championship. She recorded four goals and five assists while playing in 56 career games in Orange & Blue. Off the pitch, Bri traveled the world with the Goals for Girls organization, using the platform of soccer to help empower young girls in impoverished areas of India and Africa. She also volunteered with the Summitt Early Learning Center and Ainsley's Angels; she was an active member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute; and she is a Dean's List student majoring in international relations.
EAMON O'CONNOR, Men's Soccer
Eamon O'Connor was a versatile member of the Bison men's soccer team, playing both forward and defender during his time with the Orange & Blue. But his contributions to Bison Athletics extended well beyond the touch line at Emmitt Field. Throughout his time at Bucknell, Eamon has been heavily involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and this past year he served as chair of the organization's Community Service Committee. He oversaw major initiatives like the Turkey & Trimmings Basket collection, which helped provide Thanksgiving Dinner to more than 600 families in need. He also oversaw a canned food drive that collected more than 1,000 items for the Union County Food Hub. Eamon was the men's soccer team's representative on the newly formed Bison Cares community service group, and this past year he helped recruit volunteers for the Bison Athletes of Color virtual reading initiative with Kelly Elementary School. Eamon gave hundreds of hours of his time to charitable causes over the last four years, and he did it all while excelling as a student majoring in mechanical engineering with minors in Spanish and mathematics.
JOHN F. ZELLER AWARD
LEAH FOGELSANGER, Field Hockey
Leah Fogelsanger has been the embodiment of toughness and grit throughout her Bucknell field hockey career. She's been a mainstay on the Bison attack over the past two seasons, starting all 28 games and earning All-Patriot League recognition twice. In fact, she never missed one of Bucknell's 66 games played since she arrived on campus in 2017. Leah led the Bison in points as a junior with seven goals and a pair of assists, and this season she captained a Bucknell team that captured its first-ever Patriot League title as well as a first-round win in the NCAA tournament. Leah's leadership doesn't end when she steps off the field. She's served as the president of Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has been a member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute. Leah has also been a Bucknell representative on the Patriot League Mental Health and Wellbeing subcommittee and a co-editor of the Bucknellian sports page. On top of her extra-curricular activities, Leah has earned NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad status three times and is a three-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
PETER MARREN, Baseball
After waiting his turn as a reserve during his first two seasons at Bucknell, Peter Marren has broken through and become one of the Patriot League's top hitters in 2021. A unanimous selection for team captain, Peter is the son of two Bucknell alumni and simply bleeds Orange & Blue. His hard work in the weight room and in the batting cages has clearly paid off. His batting average was a stellar .315 through the first weekend in May, and he ranked in the top 10 in the Patriot League in both hits and average. He has 12 multi-hit games this season, including three straight in a recent three-game series against Navy in which the Bison won 2 of 3. Off the diamond, Peter is a Dean's List student majoring in accounting & financial management.
BRYAN-HUMPHREYS AWARD
ALEX BUTZ, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
High-flying Alexandra Butz will graduate as one of Bucknell's all-time best in both the pole vault and the high jump. Most notably, after finishing second in the high jump at three straight Patriot League Indoor Championships, Alex broke through this spring and captured her first league title at the Outdoor Championships at West Point. She set a new PR along the way – 5 feet, 6 ½ inches -- and moved up to fourth on Bucknell's all-time performers list. Alex will also graduate ranked No. 2 in school history in the pole vault, with her career best of 12 feet, 5 ½ inches trailing only Hall-of-Famer Melanize Buczko. Away from the track, Alex is a Dean's List student majoring in global management.
P.J. Barr, Football
P.J. Barr's versatility is undeniable. Over the course of his career, he achieved the rare distinction of starting games all five positions on the Bucknell football team's offensive line. Head coach Dave Cecchini praised the team captain for his vocal leadership and competitive fire, noting that his versatility gave the Bison the flexibility to put their five best offensive linemen on the field at any given time, regardless of their position. P.J. appeared in all 37 of Bucknell's games during his time in Lewisburg, starting the final 34 in a row to lead his class in career starts. He made 11 starts at right guard, 10 starts at left guard, nine starts at left tackle, three starts at right tackle and one start at center. His starts at center and right tackle came during his senior campaign, during which the Bison earned a spot in the first-ever Patriot League Championship Game. P.J will graduate as a two-time All-Patriot League selection, having made the 2021 Spring First Team and the 2019 Second Team.
LEE S. "BUD" RANCK AWARD
ASHLEY BLAIR, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Selinsgrove native Ashley Blair is one of only five Bison women ever to earn three All-Patriot League citations in cross country. She finished 5th, 6th and 7th in her three appearances in the league meet, and she was Bucknell's No. 2 runner as a freshman in 2018, when the Bison splashed their way to a league title in the pouring rain on their home course. Ashley owns a Patriot League gold medal on the track, as she won the 3,000 meters indoors in 2019. She also took fifth in the 5,000 at the same meet, and then later that spring she took home the bronze medal in the 10K at the outdoor championships. Ashley is Bucknell's fifth-fastest all-time performer in the 3,000, and as a biology major she was named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team in cross country this spring.
MATT THORSHEIM, Men's Soccer
Patriot League men's soccer is littered with talented players across all 10 teams, so earning a spot on the all-league team is quite an accomplishment. Bison midfielder Matt Thorsheim did it four times. He became Bucknell's first four-time all-league selection since his older brother Chris from 2012-2015. Matt is also a two-time All-Region honoree, and he will graduate with 14 goals and 12 assists in his terrific career. Not only was he a star on the field, but as a Dean's List student in accounting & financial management, Matt is a two-time Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He is only the third Bison ever to receive that distinction twice, and he is just the second Bison to earn a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League Team in all three seasons of eligibility.
'RAY BUCKNELL AWARD
ABBY KAPP, Women's Basketball
As a three-year starter and a senior captain, Abby Kapp has been a driving force in some of the most successful seasons the Bison women's basketball program has ever seen. It's her impact off the court, however, that reaches far beyond the Bucknell community. Last summer, Abby joined together with athletes from rival universities in order to form the Patriot League Social Justice Coalition to advocate for positive change in the communities and campuses across the league. She was also selected to serve as a member on the Bucknell Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council last summer to engage Bison student-athletes, coaches and staff in conversations and action plans related to such areas. Last summer, she interned with the Shepherd Higher Consortium on Poverty in Lewisburg, where she developed a comprehensive voter registration plan. She coordinated efforts among local organizations, including The Hub for Progress and the Envisioning Project, committed to social change in Central Pennsylvania. She also helped organize the Bison Votes initiative on campus. In 108 games played and 78 starts for the Orange & Blue, Abby finished her basketball career with 902 points scored and a program-record 196 3-pointers made. As one of the Patriot League's most decorated basketball players in recent years, Abby has been a two-time All-Patriot League selection, a 2018 member of the All-Rookie Team, a two-time Academic All-League honoree, and a Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
AUTUMN CEPPI, Women's Basketball
Few players can be described as more unselfish on the basketball court than Autumn Ceppi. The trait carries over into the community, where Autumn has dedicated much of Bucknell career to making a difference in the lives of her fellow students. She's been heavily involved in Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory committee, both as a women's basketball representative and as the director of the Social Responsibility committee, as well as a member of the Bucknell Athletics Leadership Institute. Autumn has been a staunch advocate for social justice causes on campus and beyond as a member of the Bison Athletes of Color group and the Patriot League Social Justice Coalition. After serving as a key reserve for the women's basketball team through her first few seasons, Autumn entered the starting lineup this year and was a dominant force on a defensive unit that limited opponents to 55 points per contest while leading the team with 3.8 assists a game. She became the first Bison in nearly a decade to provide double-digit assists in a single outing and was named to the 2021 All-Defensive team. The senior captain finishes her career with 358 points and 249 rebounds in an even 100 games played.
EDWARD W. PANGBURN AWARD
KALI PEEPLES, Women's Lacrosse
Kali Peeples has been a leader not just on the Bucknell women's lacrosse team, but also in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus and in the Patriot League. A two-year team captain, she started 28 of her 38 career games at attack, logging 42 points on 37 goals and five assists and adding 68 draw controls and 16 ground balls. Off the field, Kali was instrumental in forming the Bison Athletes of Color student-run affinity group, which strives to build a community among student-athletes of color where they can come together in a space with shared experiences. In addition to serving on the Bison Athletes of Color's inaugural executive board, she was a founding member of the Patriot League Student-Athletes of Color Leadership Council and the Bucknell Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Kali also served as Bucknell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice President this year. In the classroom, Kali was a biology and Africana studies double major. Outside of Bucknell, she interned in the United States' Attorney's Office and for Johnson & Johnson Federal Affairs; she also completed an internship for Juma Art Tours in Cape Town, South Africa, where she explored how South Africa is addressing the legacy of apartheid through social entrepreneurship and community development.
TYLER KEISER, Football
Tyler Keiser has been an ambassador for the Bucknell Athletics Department as an intern, a Bison Nation student fan group leader and a football kicker. A native of nearby Paxinos who was born in Lewisburg and grew up attending Bison sporting events, it's safe to say that Tyler bleeds Orange and Blue. He broke into the athletics department as a marketing intern in 2018. Fans likely know him as the gameday emcee in the bright orange wig. His enthusiasm, energy and determination rallied crowds during home basketball and football games; his out-of-the-box ideas also helped create a better entertainment atmosphere. As Bucknell Athletics' Executive Intern in a year without fans due to COVID-19 safety protocols, Tyler helped create a virtual basketball season ticket plan that included fan cutouts, an ESPN+ subscription, an exclusive Bison basketball face covering and more. Throughout both of his internships, he could always be counted on to help out whenever needed, even donning the Bucky costume on numerous occasions. At Southern Columbia High School, Tyler lettered in five different sports; notably, he was a member of the 2015 PIAA AA state championship football team. He returned to the football field during his senior year at Bucknell; when the Bison's placekicker was felled by injury, he walked onto the team in October 2019 and assumed kicking duties for the final three games. During the 2021 spring season, he served as Bucknell's left-footed kickoff specialist. In the classroom, Tyler completed a five-year dual degree program, obtaining degrees in civil engineering and management for engineers.
RONALD J. "PETE" PEDRICK AWARD
TESSA BRUGLER, Women's Basketball
Tessa Brugler went from seeing limited minutes off the bench to becoming one of the most dominant post players in the Patriot League over her final two seasons on the Bucknell women's basketball team. Tessa turned into a weight room warrior between her sophomore and junior seasons, and the results paid off when she entered the starting lineup in 2019. She averaged 10.7 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field over her final two seasons to lead the Bison to two regular season titles. Tessa became a double-double machine, recording 10 in her 35 starts. She averaged a double-double this season with 13.2 points and 10 rebounds a game. She led the Bison in rebounding 18 times over her final two seasons, including a career-best 19 boards in a road win over Lehigh. Her efforts were recognized league-wide, as she earned All-Patriot League status twice, All-Defensive team accolades as a senior, and All-Tournament Team honors in 2021. She was also named the Patriot League Player of the Week three times during her career. Tessa served as a two-time team captain and has qualified for the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll three times.
CONNOR McMENAMIN, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Connor McMenamin has not only made great strides during his four years at Bucknell, but he is leaving his mark as one of the top Bison distance runners of recent times. After two straight Patriot League runner-up finishes in the steeplechase, Connor broke through this spring and won his first conference gold medal. He ran the fourth-fastest winning steeplechase time in Patriot League Championship history, and he also moved up a spot into fourth place on Bucknell's all-time performance list by running the fastest time by a Bison in 11 years. Connor's steeplechase performance added to a banner spring, as just a few weeks earlier he earned First Team All-Patriot League honors with a fifth-place finish at the Patriot League Cross Country Championship. Connor was also an all-star in the classroom. As an international relations major with a GPA above 3.9, he is a two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection.
Bucknell Swimming & Diving: Bucknell Invitational Diving Session (11/23/25)
Thursday, November 20
Bucknell Swimming & Diving: Bucknell Invitational Diving Session (11/22/25)
Thursday, November 20
Bucknell Swimming & Diving: Bucknell Invitational Diving Session (11/21/25)
Thursday, November 20
Bucknell Swimming & Diving: Bucknell Invitational PM Session (11/23/25)
Thursday, November 20