Manhattan Athletics Celebrates Student-Athletes at JASPYS

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Sunday night was a night to remember for the student-athletes at Manhattan College as it featured the 2023 JASPYS.

For the first time in the event's history, the event was moved out of Draddy Gym and moved just across the street to the fifth floor of Kelly Student Commons, one part of the overhaul the event received.

The awards presented at the event included team MVPs, Student-Athlete of the Year, Impact Student-Athlete, Comeback Player of the Year, Play of the Year, Academic Top Performer, Rookie of the Year, Mr. and Ms. Jasper, Iron Jasper, and Unsung Hero.

"This JASPYS event was like no other. We incorporated a lot of new things and wanted to elevate the award show for all student-athletes!" said Kaya Simpson, SAAC's President. "Working on the event for the past couple of months was a lot of hard work, but seeing the result and having everyone say how much they loved the event, made it all worthwhile! We thank the athletic staff who worked extremely hard to help us pull this event off!"

"This year's JASPYS was one I will never forget," added Teddy Segmuller, Vice President of SAAC. "I cannot express my gratitude towards the SAAC members and all of the athletic administration that worked tirelessly to make this event so special for the student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff. I was honored to be recognized as this year's Ms. Jasper and Impact Student-Athlete. This moment was even more special because I got to share this recognition alongside Kaya, as someone I can truly call my friend. Seeing the student-athletes come together and celebrate with each other was very rewarding."

"The JASPYS is an event that we all look forward to every year. Being named Men's Athlete of the Year after my freshman year is an absolute honor considering the incredible work that all of our student-athletes have put in this season," said Nassim Akki, "I want to congratulate all the student-athletes that represent this great school sincerely. Finally, I dedicate this award to my coaches (Jorden, Andrew, Sean, and Ornette) and my teammates who have supported me throughout this year. I would also like to thank the Manhattan College staff, SAAC, and administration, who put us in the best conditions every day. I am very proud to represent Manhattan College."  

"First and foremost, I want to thank this administration as well as SAAC representatives (particularly, Kaya and Teddy) for putting together such an extraordinary event," said Dee Dee Davis, the winner of Female Student-Athlete of the Year. "This is something many student-athletes look forward to year after year. I am beyond proud to be a part of the 2022-2023 JASPYS celebration. Winning this award for a second consecutive year means the world to me. Coach Vulin makes it well known, any individual award is automatically counted as a team award. With that in mind, this award was for my teammates! I am extremely grateful for the past five years. Once a Jasper, always a Jasper!" 

The night's award winners:
Mr. Jasper - Kaya Simpson, men's track & field
Ms. Jasper - Teddy Segmuller, women's swimming & diving
Academic Top Performer (Male) - Liam Moore, men's soccer
Academic Top Performer (Female) - Kaitlyn Holly, softball
Rookie of the Year (Male) - Gunnar Studenhofft, men's soccer
Rookie of the Year (Female) - Anne Bair, women's basketball
Play of the Year - women's soccer: Nicolette Caneda's goal against Mount St. Mary's
Unsung Hero (Male) - Christian Clifford, men's lacrosse
Unsung Hero (Female) - Julia Nicholas, women's soccer
Iron Jasper (Male) - Darien Rorabeck, baseball
Iron Jasper (Female) - Madison Mulkigian, women's soccer
Iron Jasper (Team) - Men's Lacrosse
Male Student-Athlete of the Year - Nassim Akki, men's soccer
Female Student-Athlete of the Year - Dee Dee Davis, women's basketball
 
Team Academic Top Performers
Frankie Marinelli, baseball
Logan Padgett, men's basketball
Ryan Cleere, men's cross country
Lincoln Haymaker, golf
Bryce Morris, men's lacrosse
Joe Brennan, men's swimming
Peter Athanailos, men's track & field
Emily LaPointe, women's basketball
Andria Scaglione, women's cross country
Ashley Bonitch, women's lacrosse
Maura McCarthy, rowing
Caitlin Alcoba, women's soccer
Kyla Guilfoil, women's swimming
Ava Kowal, women's track & field
Julieanne McKee, volleyball

Team MVPs
Will Hesslink - baseball
Ant Nelson - men's basketball
Michael Hennelly - men's cross country
Jimmy Escoto - golf
Kyle Gucwa - men's lacrosse
Joe Brennan - men's swimming
RJ Decker & Noah Jefferson - men's track & field
Andria Scaglione - women's cross country
Andrea Liotta - women's lacrosse
Kim Mains - women's soccer
Maura McCarthy - women's rowing
Gabriella Mazzotta - softball
Julia Menocal - volleyball
Abbey Mink - women's swimming
Kristin Stickdorn - women's track & field