Cats honored for dedication in weight room

Four UVM athletes were honored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association last week, receiving the prestigious All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award.

Senior Cameron Grant and junior Jan Carlson of the track and field team were honored, along with senior Jilyne McDonald and sophomore Valerie Kechian of the alpine ski team.

The award, which is currently in its third decade, is given out to 207 college athletes from 116 schools. 

Vermont’s four honorees matches last year’s school record  for the most recipients single season.

Mens basketball team announces recruiting class

Head coach Mike Lonergan announced the men’s basketball class of 2013 last week, a collective of four incoming freshman who will occupy the roster spots left by graduating seniors Mike Trimboli, Colin McIntosh, Ryan Shields and Jordan Dean.

The class consists of three McDonald’s All-American nominees in forwards Luke Apfeld and Ben Crenca and point guard Simeon Marsalis, along with guard Brendan Bald, a former Washington-area AAU standout.

Apfeld and Crenca will provide some much-needed depth in the post for the Cats, as the two recruits stand at 6′ 7″ and 6′ 9″, respectively.

Bald, who averaged 20.7 points and 6.7 rebounds during his senior campaign, will provide scoring and defense in a backcourt which will be looking to replace the void left by Trimboli.

Marsalis, a standout point guard from New York, is not only a steady backcourt presence, but also the son of legendary jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.

“Each one of these young men bring different talents to our program and I think they will all have a great impact on our basketball team and on our University,” Lonergan said.