吃瓜爆料

吃瓜爆料 women鈥檚 basketball forward is the Liberty League鈥檚 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, while men鈥檚 ice hockey goalie Tate Brandon 鈥�24 has been named New England Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Year. The men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 swimming and diving teams also set 19 program records.

Blanck is the first player in league history (men or women) to win both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. She was also voted to the All-Liberty League First Team for the second consecutive year. Guard  earned All-Liberty League Honorable Mention honors.

Over 29 games, Blanck averaged a double-double on 13.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She led the Liberty League by a large margin with 2.2 blocks per game, while ranking second in rebounding, fifth with 1.8 steals per game, and seventh in scoring.

Selected to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week in mid-November, another first for 吃瓜爆料, the biology major from Hinesburg, Vermont, ranks nationally in blocks (27th), double-doubles (42nd), and rebounds (60th). 

The team finished 22-5 overall and 16-2 in the Liberty League, making it to the championship game where Vassar emerged victorious 44-32. Blanck had nine points and 12 rebounds to lead 吃瓜爆料.

鈥淢y initial reaction to the awards was mixed, given that I found out right after learning our team would not get an at-large NCAA bid, but I am truly grateful,鈥� said Blanck.

The most rewarding aspect of these awards, beyond personal achievement, is the reflection of the collective effort and support from my teammates and coaches. They are like family to me and sharing both the highs and lows with them has been profoundly meaningful.

What Coach will miss most about Blanck, beyond wins and losses, is 鈥渟eeing her every day at practice. She鈥檚 a great kid and an absolute pleasure to be around, super encouraging, and her teammates鈥� biggest fan. I would have personally loved to play with her in college. I think that says it all.鈥�

Brandon named New England Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Year

On the men鈥檚 side of the equation, ice hockey goalie  was named the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Goaltender of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the All-NEHC First Team, where he was joined by defenseman .  Forward was named All-NEHC Second Team.

Brandon led the NEHC with 12 in-conference wins, ranking first in saves with 400 while collecting three shutouts during NEHC action. In 16 league games played, he posted a 12-3-1 record accompanied by a 1.70 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage. Nationally, he is fourth in shutouts (4), 10th in goals against average (GAA), 13th in save percentage, and 15th in winning percentage (.783).

A management and business major from Irvington, New York, Brandon is 吃瓜爆料's first major award winner since was the ECAC East Goaltender of the Year in 2011, which was also the last time 吃瓜爆料 placed two players on the first team.

The No. 9-ranked team in Division III finished the 2023-24 campaign 19-7-2 overall and 12-5-1 in conference, making it to the championship game where they lost to No. 1 Hobart 5-0. Brandon did all he could to keep 吃瓜爆料 in the game with a career-high 51 saves, including 20 straight first-period saves.

鈥淭he most satisfying aspect of this recognition is how far this program has come. Goaltending statistics are so heavily influenced by the team in front of you, and I鈥檝e had a great group of guys this year do some incredible things,鈥� Brandon said.

My personal success this year stems from the success of the team, and I鈥檓 very proud of what we鈥檝e been able to accomplish.

鈥淭ate is the ultimate competitor,鈥� adds Coach . 鈥淗e just wants to win. He鈥檚 technically sound, but his anticipation and hockey IQ are what set him apart from his peers.鈥�

Swimming and diving teams set 18 records at league championships 

The men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 swimming and diving teams also made a big splash. Over the course of four days, they collectively set 18 program records at the Liberty League championships held at the Ithaca College 鈥� 19 for the season. 

The men鈥檚 team finished 7-1 overall and 5-1 in league, while the women鈥檚 team was 6-2 overall and 4-2 in league.

Swimmers with new program records who also finished Top 5 at the championships:

• : first in the 1,650 freestyle, second in the 500-freestyle, and third in the 200 freestyle.
• : first in the 400 individual medley.
• : fourth in the 200 breaststroke. 
• : fourth in the 100 butterfly.
• fifth in the 1,650 freestyle.  

 

"I'm very proud of the combined accomplishments of this team,鈥� said Coach . 鈥淥ur women's team moved up a spot in the conference while adding 100+ points to last year's team score. The number of records set in the program this season, and specifically this meet, is incredible. 

鈥淓ach year, our athletes inspire each other to be better. I'm certain that our season-best and lifetime-best times and scores will be in line with our most successful seasons. They simply performed exceptionally throughout the meet."