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Winter 2016 Hawk Talk The Official Hunter Athletic Alumni Newsletter Winter Sports Recap

The swimming team had a fantastic season after going undefeated in conference play and then capturing its second-straight CUNYAC Championship. The Hawks set several new school records, including four relay times, as sophomore Alexandra Rubiano was named CUNYAC Performer of the Year.

The wrestling team had several wrestlers qualify for the NCAA East Regionals as Jaydon Rice, Dennis Melendez, David Naupari, William Heine, Declan Gray and Nick Brutus each traveled to Lexington, VA for the meet. Melendez and Rice both punched tickets to the NCAA Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after placing first and third respectively. Rice, a two-time qualifier, fell to his initial two opponents after facing tough competition. Bob Gaudenzi Inducted Into the Melendez wrestled in four matches on the first day and capped his career with a 2-2 NWCA Hall of Fame record. Melendez was also named a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete After being a part of Hunter for more than also extends off the mat as he has coached for his efforts in the classroom. 30 seasons in all capacities from student- eight NCAA Academic All-Americans. athlete, assistant coach, and the majority of The women’s basketball team finished the the time at the helm of the Hunter College Gaudenzi was inducted into the Hunter season with a 10-17 record, while going wrestling team, Bob Gaudenzi was inducted College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and 5-11 in conference play and making it to the into the National Wrestling Coaches As- was then chosen as the 2007 NYC Beat the sociation NCAA Division III Hall Streets College Coach of the Year. He has of Fame on March 10. Gaudenzi served as the president of the Metropolitan joined the seven other induct- Wrestling Conference Coaches Association ees of the 2016 NWCA Hall of from 1988-2012 and was the secretary of Fame class at the NCAA Division the New York State Collegiate Wrestling III Wrestling Championships in Coaches Association from 2004-2010. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Coach Gaudenzi invested tirelessly in The head coach of Hunter Col- developing a competitive and respected lege wrestling from 1980 to program,” said Hunter Director of Athletics, 2009, Gaudenzi boasts one of Terry Wansart. “In my 30 plus years working the most successful tenures in in athletics, I know that Coach Gaudenzi Division III wrestling program epitomizes the foundation of coaching history. As Hunter’s all-time win- which is teaching and supporting young ningest coach, he has guided 13 adults through the challenging times they NCAA All-Americans, including endure through their college years.” the 2007 NCAA National Cham- pion, Terry Madden. His success

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Winter 2016 Hawk Talk The Official Hunter Athletic Alumni Newsletter second round of the CUNYAC tournament before falling to College of Staten Island. The Fall Sports Recap team was led by Ashley Yu’s 10.4 points per Highlights included women’s volleyball and women’s cross country teams winning the game, while Ayanna Hudson led the Hawks CUNYAC Championships while the women’s tennis was the runner up. Men’s cross country with 9.4 rebounds per game. finished third and the men’s soccer team made it to the quarterfinal round of the CUNYAC tournament. Women’s volleyball made an NCAA Tournament appearance courtesy of their The men’s basketball team had a transition conference championship. year under first-year head coach John Pelin but once again made it to the conference Overall, the Hawks earned five major award winners, two Tournament MVP’s, five ECAC tournament quarterfinals. Brian Kruger was All-Star selections and 18 donned with CUNYAC All-Star status. Julia Connolly of women’s named a CUNYAC Second-Team All-Star after volleyball was named the Player of the Year and Tournament MVP while teammate Miranda leading the team with 15.6 points per game Hogan took home Rookie of the Year kudos. Women’s cross country swept the major awards and surpassed the 1000 career point mark. with Deborah Ramirez earning Performer of the Year as well as meet MVP, Tiffany Merlinsky being named the Rookie of the Year and first year Head Coach Daniel Selsky taking home The women’s indoor track and field team Coach of the Year. took home the 2016 CUNYAC Championship after scoring 140 points in the conference meet. Kristy Carlin led the team in the meet by placing first in the 800 meter run, placing second in the high jump and long jump and helping the 4x400 meter relay team to a title. Carlin was named the Most Valuable Performer for her efforts. Bob Gaudenzi Inducted Into the NWCA Hall of Fame The men’s indoor track and field team placed Gaudenzi currently resides in Hazlet, NJ and Akeem Carter – Wartburg College third at the CUNYAC Championships this coaches softball and swimming at Hunter Bob Gaudenzi – Hunter College season, posting 86 points to trail behind College High School. Additionally, he re- Henry Gerten – Augsburg College CCNY’s 124 points and York College’s 112 mains active in the wrestling community. Cody Koenig – U. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point points. Walter Rodriguez had a fantastic Dick Simmons- Cornell College performance, placing first in three different Gaudenzi is one of eight that were part of Randy Steward- Loras College events, including the mile run, the 800 meter the 2016 induction class. His fellow induct- Jimmy Wallace- Wilmington College run and the 5,000 meter run to be named the ees included the following members: Scott Whirley- Augsburg College CUNYAC Most Valuable Performer.

The men’s fencing team went 4-20 this season, earning wins over Drew University, Yeshiva University, Army and College of William & Mary. Five qualified for NCAA Regionals.

The women’s fencing team recorded three wins this season, defeating Lafayette College, LIU Post and Yeshiva University. Allison Berdichevsky has led the team, most recently placing second in foil at the NIWFA Championships. At the NCAA Regional, Allison Berdichevsky was the Hawk’s top finisher in 16th in foil.

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