ALFRED, NY – Several Alfred University student-athletes were recognized for their achievements during a year-end luncheon ceremony Friday afternoon.

Among those honored were seniors A.J. LiCata (Lake View, NY/Frontier), Seth Spicer (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) and Beryl Torthe (Pretoria, South Africa/St. Mary's Diocesan-South Africa), who were named 2018 recipients of the Alfred University Ideal Saxon awards (pictured above with Director of Athletics, Paul Vecchio, and former Ideal Saxons Dana Torchia '16 and Jake Spadoni '13.

The Ideal Saxon award, established in 2013, is an annual honor that recognizes the achievements of a male senior and a female senior student-athlete at Alfred University who "displays excellence in both academics and athletics while providing service and leadership of distinction to the AU Community."

LiCata, Spicer and Torthe were honored as the sixth annual Ideal Saxon award winners during the Senior Student-Athlete Recognition Luncheon on Friday. The luncheon, sponsored by Saxon Nation, is held each year on the Friday before Commencement. 

"Our senior student-athlete luncheon is without a doubt my favorite event of the year," Paul Vecchio, Director of Athletics, said. "It is our chance to give a most heartfelt thank you to our seniors for the incredible memories they have provided to all of us. This year's winners of our Ideal Saxon Award – Beryl, Seth and A.J. – are truly indicative of the tremendous student-athletes and people that Alfred University produces. We can take great pride in the lives these seniors have already affected and the many more they will impact in the coming years. They have truly embraced the adage that 'Every day is a Great Day to be a Saxon!'" 

LiCata was a four-year starting outside linebacker for the AU football team, earning Empire 8 All-Conference three times and All-America accolades twice while in Purple & Gold. He earned AFCA First Team Honors in both 2016 and 2017 while being named to the D3Football.com All-American Third Team in 2016 and Honorable Mention in 2017. He was also recognized on the HERO Sports Division III Football All-America Second Team and Associated Press Third Team in 2016. The Empire 8 recognized LiCata as the Defensive Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017 while he earned Empire 8 Honorable Mention in 2015 as a sophomore.

LiCata led the Saxons to three consecutive postseasons, including a trip to the 2016 NCAA Division III Football Quarterfinal, tying the deepest journey in the NCAA tournament in AU history (tied with 2010 team). The Saxons posted a 33-12 record and earned one Empire 8 Championship with LiCata on the field. The 2016 team currently holds the record for most consecutive wins in a single season (12).

LiCata shined individually on the field as well at AU, setting a new school record in career tackles (412), surpassing Nick Clark '11 on the all-time list. He also ranks second on the single-season tackle list, recording 153 tackles in 2016, trailing only John Hoosock who tallied 154 tackles in 1990.

LiCata was accomplished in the classroom as well. As a junior and senior (2016, 2017), he was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) All-District III Academic Team. LiCata is a 2016 inductee into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national honor society for collegiate student-athletes. He was also nominated for the Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award and was part of the Student Management Investment Fund, Accounting Club and Economics Club. A finance major and winner of the Newark Senior Award of Entrepreneurial Promise, LiCata has a 3.62 cumulative GPA.

On being considered for the Ideal Saxon Award LiCata said: "Being in consideration for the Ideal Saxon Award is a great honor and one that I could have never imagined stepping on campus four years ago. Alfred has helped me grow throughout my four years and has shaped me into an overall better man. Being an Ideal Saxon to me means being accountable on and off the field while also providing mentorship to those in need. I am extremely proud and honored when people ask where I went to school because without Alfred I really have no idea where I'd be today. The groundwork for being an Ideal Saxon is laid out from day one, and I am privileged to say that I did my best to follow through."

Spicer, a two-time All-American already – with hopes of adding another honor later this month at the 2018 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships – has been amongst the top multi athletes in Division III track and field over the past three years. A two-time team captain, he is a four-time NCAA national qualifier, has captured an ECAC title and twice has captured New York State titles. He is the school record holder in both the heptathlon (4,978) and decathlon (6,598).

In the classroom, he has been a regular staple on the Dean's List, a 2016 inductee Chi Alpha Sigma, the national honor society for student-athletes which requires a 3.4 cumulative GPA or higher. He has been the Athletic Training Club President and a member all four years; while also earning induction into Iota Tau Alpha, the Athletic Training National Honor Society and has contributed to Saxon Nation as a student. He was also a finalist for the Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award.

In his personal statement, he noted: "The Ideal Saxon Award stands for everything that I have tried to be in my previous four years here as a student-athlete. I'm honored to be considered and hope that my standards of academia, and devotion to our teams, has been enough to qualify me for it. The summary of my time here is riddled with ups and downs due to tough academics, personal life difficulties, and falling short of my own expectations. I found a quote from Vince Lombardi a while back that said, 'The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.' What I've been blessed with at Alfred has undoubtedly made me into the person I am today. I attribute my leadership qualities, my obsession for the truth in the fine details, and my compassion for all who treat me with respect to the workings of our programs. I hope to someday be able to give back to the rising programs I came from."

Torthe has twice served as the captain of her team and was awarded the Empire 8 sportsmanship honor this past season. In the classroom, she boasts the highest GPA in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Torthe has presented at the Undergraduate Research Forum and will be presenting this summer at the Eastern Psychological Association Conference in New York City.  She has been a member of the Empire 8 Presidential list each semester she has played tennis and is a current member of the following honor societies: Chi Alpha Sigma; Phi Beta Kappa; Omicron Delta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi, Psi Chi and Pi Gamma Mu.

Within the campus community, she was inducted into the ODK National Leadership Honor Society, served as an RA for two years, while also serving on the University Conduct Board, Peer Review Board and Bias Response Team while helping as a tour guide for Admissions. Amongst her major awards are the Alpha Kappa Omicron Social Change Award in 2017; the Fred Gertz Award for excellence in Academic Writing, the Excellence in Psychology Award this spring as well as the Phi Beta Kappa "Wit and Wisdom" Winner. She is also a Saxon Circle student member and serves as a student representative for University Advancement on the Board of Trustees and has volunteered her time with the A.E. Crandall Hook & Ladder.

Torthe said about the opportunity to be the Ideal Saxon: "I am honored and humbled to be considered for the Ideal Saxon Award. As a senior, I am able to look back at my time as a member of the tennis team with a profound sense of accomplishment and value my time spent on the courts. Regardless of the outcome of the game, I feel a sense of pride sharing the courts with teammates who have worked exceptionally hard.

There is an Nguni word, native to South Africa, which has followed me throughout my journey at Alfred. It describes our common, intangible purpose: Ubuntu. In brief, Ubuntu can be summarized as 'I am who I am because of who we all are.' This sense of interconnectedness – Ubuntu – is the magic that results from playing for the love of the game. My involvement and experience as a student-athlete enabled me to experience a different dimension of Alfred and connect with peers from different walks of life…that's the magic of athletics at Alfred."

Other female finalists for the Ideal Saxon awards were: Jacquelynn Hicks (Greenville, NY /Greenville), women's volleyball and women's lacrosse; Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South), women's soccer; Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep), women's volleyball; and Shannon Gray (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) women's lacrosse.

Other male finalists for the Ideal Saxon awards were:  Sam Craver (Great Falls, VA/The Field School), men's soccer; Jake Lynch (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point), men's lacrosse; and Trevor Monk (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool), football.

Also recognized at the luncheon were the following student-athlete award winners: 

ECAC Merit Medal: Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) of women's volleyball and A.J. LiCata. The award, given each year to a male and female senior, recognizes academic and athletic excellence. During the fall semester, Totsline

was working as a student-teacher while maintaining her academic excellence, earning Empire 8 Presidents' List honors. She also was named to the 2017 Empire 8 All-Tournament Team after helping the Saxons earn their first berth to the tournament since 2000. Totsline set new AU records in set assists in a game (56), season (931) and career (2,976).

Muriel Strong Morley Award, Outstanding Female Athlete: Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South). Shanahan is a four-year starter for the women's soccer program that earned Empire 8 First Team honors for the first time in her career in 2018. Earlier this year she set a new school record with 611 career saves. She also ranks second all-time in saves in a season with 182 saves during the 2014 season.
Franklin Morley Award, Outstanding Male Athlete: Seth Spicer
 
Chi Alpha Sigma inductees, senior and junior student-athletes with cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher:

Senior inductees are: Sam Craver (Great Falls, VA/The Field School) men's soccer; Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep)

women's volleyball; Elizabeth Finney (Dryden, NY/Dryden) women's swimming & diving; Shannon Gray (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) women's lacrosse; Michael Guarglia (Hornell, NY/Hornell) men's swimming & diving; Tracy Johnston (Akron, NY/Akron) women's lacrosse; A.J. LiCata (Lake View, NY/Frontier) football; Jesse Lichtman (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) men's soccer; Kade McGarrity (Angola, NY/Lake Shore Central) men's soccer; Trevor Monk (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) football; Erin Siebert (Campbell, NY/Bath-Haverling) women's soccer; Seth Spicer (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) men's track & field; Megan Steen (Portsmouth, RI/Portsmouth) women's swimming & diving and track & field; Beryl Torthe (Pretoria, South Africa/St. Mary's Diocesan-South Africa) women's tennis; Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) women's volleyball; Maddison VanEtten (Harpursville, NY/Harpursville Central) women's volleyball; Kevin Volz (Olean, NY/Olean) men's tennis.

Junior inductees are: Andrew Barnikel (Commack, NY/Commack) men's soccer; Richard Berger (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) men's swimming & diving; Olivia Cronmiller (Livonia, NY/Livonia) women's soccer; Michael Ditroia (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) football; Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) women's volleyball; Alyssa Garbarino (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) women's soccer; Lea Georgatos (Emerson, NJ/Immaculate Conception) softball; Zach Goodwin (Holden, MA/Wachusett) men's swimming & diving; Gabby Griffin (Sterling, NY/Hannibal) women's track & field; Brennan Jelstrom (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) men's soccer; Nurila Kambar (Almaty, Kazakhstan/Republic Physics and Mathematics School) women's tennis; Kourtney Keys (East Concord, NY/Springville) women's tennis; Brian Larkin-Gero (Chagrin Falls, OH/Kenston) men's soccer; Rachel Pera (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West) women's tennis; Cole Reed (Gratz, PA/Upper Dauphin Area) football; Nicholas Reitz (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) men's track & field; Anthony Ricottilli (Cortland, NY/Cortland) men's lacrosse; Amber Smith (Prattsburgh, NY/Prattsburgh Central) women's tennis; Kelley Staub (Eden, NY/Eden) softball; Alexander Tostanoski (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) men's soccer; Michal Urban (Ridgewood, NY/Kiski Prep)
football; Sophia Weiss (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial) women's track & field; Emily Wright (Dallas, TX/Plano West) women's soccer; Ethan Zyglocke (Livonia, NY/Livonia) men's swimming & diving.
Other student-athletes honors included: LiCata, CoSIDA District 3 All-Academic (football); LiCata, AFCA All-American, D3football.com All-American and Associated Press All-American, D3football.com East Region First Team, and Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist (football); Spicer, NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field All-American (heptathlon), USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region (indoor); senior Maleke Fuentes (Olean, NY/Olean), D3football.com East Region Third Team; Spicer, NCAA Division III Track and Field All-American (heptathlon); Lynch, 2017 USILA-Nike All-American Honorable Mention.

Vecchio presented the second annual Exceptional Saxon Award to Jeff Danaher, the Director of Major Gifts within the University

Advancement Office. The winner of the award is chosen from nominations made by AU faculty, staff and student-athletes offered throughout the school year and recognizes an AU employee "who has provided exceptional support and service to the Alfred University Athletic Department."