UNH Student-Athletes Are at the Top of Their Academic Game
University Ranks No. 1 on America East Honor Roll

Contact: Lori Wright
603-862-0574
UNH Media Relations

February 11, 2004



DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire student-athletes are the most successful academically in the America East Conference, ranking No. 1 with the largest number of student-athletes on the conference’s fall Academic Honor Roll.

“ The dedication to the rigors of academic study as well as the enormous commitment to athletic sports demonstrates the quality and caliber of our student-athletes at UNH. We are proud to have them on our team, in the classroom and in intercollegiate competition,” UNH President Ann Weaver Hart said.

Eighty-five Wildcat students were named to the Academic Honor Roll, earning a grade point average of at least 3.0. In total, 542 student-athletes were named to the honor roll from 11 institutions: UNH, University at Albany, Binghamton University, Boston University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Northeastern University, Stony Brook University and the University of Vermont.

In addition, more UNH student-athletes were named to the conference’s prestigious Commissioner’s Honor Roll than any other institution in the conference. Forty-three of the 247 student-athletes named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll, which recognizes student-athletes with a grade point average of at least 3.5, were UNH students.

When broken down by sport, the women’s cross country, women’s soccer and men’s cross country teams outdid their peers academically at all other conference institutions. The women’s cross country team boasts 24 honor roll athletes, with 18 women’s soccer players and 14 men’s cross country athletes on the list.

“ The University of New Hampshire should take great pride in having 85 of its fall student-athletes named to the America East Academic Honor Roll,” said Chris Monasch, commissioner of America East. “This success demonstrates the commitment to academics by New Hampshire's student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Wildcat fans should be tremendously proud not only of their teams' accomplishments in the athletic arena but in the academic sector as well.”

Three of the 85 UNH honor roll students have earned a 4.0 grade point average. They are Mark Gosztyla, a senior from Londonderry and member of the men’s cross country team; Robert Zolla, a sophomore from Londonderry and member of the men’s cross country team; and Lesley Read, senior from Dover and member of the women’s cross country team. Read, 23, who is majoring in English, said she does better in school when she is involved with athletics because it requires her to better manage her time.

“ Because I am involved in athletics, I have to make time for academics because I just don’t have a lot of time. I can’t procrastinate or put off doing a paper,” Read said. “Working toward your goals on the track is very similar to working toward your goals academically. They go hand in hand.”

She gets reinforcement from her coach, who tells the athletes that academics come before athletics. If Read or any of her teammates are under pressure because of an upcoming exam or paper, her coach schedules workouts around study time.

“ UNH has had a fine record of academic achievement in America East and combined with the recent athletic success as exhibited this fall, the university is well served by its student-athletes. These achievements are a real tribute to not only the students but the coaches, staff and academic support personnel,” said Marty Scarano, UNH director of athletics.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AMERICA EAST FALL HONOR ROLL

Men’s Cross Country
Matthew Donahue, East Greenwich, RI
Mark Gosztyla, Londonderry
Brian Hinchee, Ossipee
Nicholas Jenkins, Francestown
Mackenzie Kilpatrick, Concord
Andrew Lawson, Holland Patent, NY
Pater Mallett, Manchester
Jeff Manley, Milton, VT
James Olsen, Londonderry
William Smith, Hampstead
Roert Stiles, Southbury, CT
Andrew VanHoogenstyn, Hooksett
Robert Zolla, Londonderry

Women’s Cross Country
Margaret Ackley, Keene
Jennifer Busse, Brookline
Heather Carmichael, Windsor, VT
Leighann Carpenter, Princeton, MA
Amy Czesnowski, Branford, CT
Wendy Farrell, Belmont
Hillary Greene, Old Town, ME
Caitlin Hayes, Keene
Megan Hepp, Milton, VT
Trisha Hewitt, Manchester
Katie Litwinowich, Holden, MA
Allison March, Londonderry
Emily Mareb, Great Barrington, MA
Kelly McCloskey, Hopewell Junction, VT
Theresa Murphy, Brewster, MA
Sarah Patsos, Meriden, CT
Lesley Read, Dover
Amanda Reinhardt, Honeoye Falls, NY
Miranda Rought, Merrimack
Amandaa Schweizer, Merrimac, MA
Elizabeth Stokinger, Hampstead
Nicole Whalen, Warwick, NY
Lisa Winn, Rye
Michelle Zitta, East Swanzey

Field Hockey
Heidi Anderson, Hampton Falls
Lauren Bruce, Amherst, NY
Christie Buckley, Walpole, MA
Samantha Carr, Yorktown Heights, NY
Samantha Geary, Norwood, MA
Caitlin Gillen, New Preston, CT
Jennifer Harrison, Hanover, MA
Julie Munson, Dover
Brittany Schneider, Myersville, MO
Holly Schurk, Northford, CT
Margaux Shute, Norridgewock, ME
Jennifer Stamp, Tyngsboro, MA

Men’s Soccer
Jonathan Burg, New Milford, CT
Matt Chambers, Conifer, CO
Matt Glode, Barrington
Brendan Hankard, Glastonbury, CT
Josh Hareld, Jamestown, RI
Nich Laliberte, Nashua
Otasowie Osayimwese, Avondale, PA
Matt Shump, Durham
Mike Vignola, Hudson

Women’s Soccer
Lia Barros, Sammamish, WA
Chiara Best, Rose Valley, PA
Ashlee Cieslak, Greendale, WI
Lauren Engel, Pittsburgh, PA
Lynn Gugliuzza, Kenmore, NY
Kristin Kearney, Sandown
Jacquelyn Kendall, Belchertown, MA
Liz MacKay, Scituate, MA
Erin Margentino, Farmington, CT
Hillary Mefferd, Portland, OR
Deb Newman, Union, CT
Shannon Oltman, Edmonds, WA
Amber Radzevich, Dover
Julie Randall, East Longmeadow, MA
Lindsey Smagula, Beford
Kelly Stevens, Downingtown, PA
Katie Sullivean, Worcester, MA
Ana Tobon, Rydal, PA

Volleyball
Anne Davis, Groveland, FL
Chelsea Hammer, Eden Prairie, MN
Karen Harrington, Windham
Erin Ludwig, Franklin Lakes, NJ
Natasha Otte, Plymouth
Sasha Scott, Durham
Katie Steffens, Monroe, CT
Erin Walker, Fulton, NY

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