EAST STROUDSBURG - Wrestler Jeremy Sluyter and lacrosse player Kristin Restivo were selected as the East Stroudsburg University Senior Athletes of the Year Sunday night at the annual ESU Athletic Awards Banquet.

The voting was done by athletes and coaches among the more than 250 persons attending the annual event in the Keystone Room. Dr. Robert J. Dillman, president, and Dr. Carey Snyder, associate athletic director, presented the awards.

Sluyter qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships for the fourth straight year. He was the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion at 125 pounds and finished second in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships.

The Towanda, Pa. resident posted a season record of 28-8 and had a career mark of 108-32, second most wins in the school's history.

Restivo broke all of ESU's scoring records with 72 goals this season and 189 for her career. She was the NCAA Division II scoring champion.

The Westbury, N.Y. youngster helped the ESU lacrosse team to a 11-5 record, most wins ever at the school, and to a runner-up finish in the conference.

Soccer midfielder Channing Swears and basketball guard Marie Schlegel received the Alumni Association Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards. They were given out by Julie DelGiorno, ESU's academic coordinator for athletics.

Swears, a member of the Warriors' conference championship men's soccer team, has a 3.608 average in Exercise Physiology while Schlegel, a four-year starter, has a 3.829 mark in Health and Physical Education. Both will graduate in December.

Former ESU basketball player Maggie McLaughlin `94, served as guest speaker on behalf of the ESU Alumni Association. She is now a playwrite working in New York City.

Volleyball player Brian Bucher and lacrosse player Britt Huckaby spoke as representatives of the school’s 450 student-athletes.

Outstanding athlete awards were presented in each of the Warriors’ 19 sports. Sluyter won the wrestling award and Jenny Heid captured the swimming award for the third straight year.

Matt Stohl was a double winner in both cross country and track and field. Football linebacker Kevin Nagle and basketball player Shannon Schwilk were both repeat selections.

The future of ESU athletics is bright as three freshmen, basketball forward Shahad Abdur Rahkman, softball catcher Erika Lee and volleyball player April Mellott, were all honored in their respective sports. Rahkman and Mellott were both PSAC Rookies of the Year while Lee is a top contender for the softball award which will be announced this week.

Record-setters honored included soccer forward Pat Stanco, who set an NCAA record for scoring in 11 straight games, track and field sprinter Cheryl Griffin, who has set five individual school records this season, baseball player Mike Pavolko, who pitched in a record 64 games during his career, and Restivo.

Other outstanding athlete award-winners were soccer player Kelly Frame, field hockey forward Jackie Koehler, volleyball middle blocker Tom Shaver and tennis players Lisa Bianchi and Dave Russo.

Coaches’ awards also were presented in all sports. Also honored with plaques were 46 senior athletes.

Jacket awards were presented to Jim Pry, ESU football offensive coodinator for the last ten years, and Bob Matthews and Chuck Seese, announcers for broadcasts of ESU sports.

Michele Geiger of Nazareth received the 13th annual Dave Carlyon Athletic Training Award for achievements in athletic training and sports medicine.

Dr. Dillman made a brief talk congratulating the athletes and their parents. Bryan Hill, 'The Voice of the Warriors' for 33 years, served as the master of ceremonies.

The Award Winners:

Outstanding Athletes: Male - Kevin Nagle (football), Pat Stanco (soccer), Matt Stohl (cross country), Shahad Abdur Rahkman (basketball), Jeremy Sluyter (wrestling), Tom Shaver (volleyball), Mike Pavolko (baseball), Stohl (track and field), Dave Russo (tennis);

Female - Jackie Koehler (field hockey), Kelly Frame (soccer), Amy Walbert (cross country), April Mellott (volleyball), Lisa Bianchi (tennis), Shannon Schwilk (basketball), Jenny Heid (swimming), Erika Lee (softball), Cheryl Griffin (track and field), Kristin Restivo (lacrosse).

Coaches' Awards: Male - Andre Myers (football), Channing Swears (soccer), Pete Sarro (cross country), Quincy Henderson (basketball), Rich Koehler (wrestling), Steve Shanabrook (volleyball), Scott Roth (baseball), Jay Rehrig (track and field), Nana Yaw Adoo (tennis).

Female - Charlie Hicks-Little (field hockey), Jen Amos (soccer), Cindy Dillon (cross country), Andi Myers (volleyball), Jessica Stout (tennis), Michele Pilenza (basketball), Erin Kowalik (swimming), Tina Morak (softball), Quanette Jester (track and field), Britt Huckaby (lacrosse).

###