MADISON, N.J. – The Landmark Conference has announced that 32 student-athletes have been honored with selection to the 2009 Spring Landmark All-Academic Team. Two male and two female athletes from each of the eight Landmark institutions were selected for the team which honors athletes who have excelled athletically and academically. Nominees could compete in any of the Landmark spring sports and must be a sophomore or older with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. The Landmark Conference sponsors baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s outdoor track & field during the spring season.

The Spring All-Academic Team features 18 seniors, 10 juniors and four sophomores. Seven honorees are earning Spring All-Academic honors for the second time in their careers. In addition all eight spring sports sponsored by the Landmark Conference are represented with at least one student-athlete. The Landmark Conference selects an All-Academic Team for each of the three athletics seasons during the year.

2009 Spring Landmark All-Academic Team
Name. School, Class, Sport, Major
Luigi Alverado, Catholic, Sr., M. Tennis, Biochemistry
Caitlin Dunn, Catholic, Sr., W. Tennis, Political Science
Kristen Kennedy, Catholic, Sr., W. Outdoor Track/Field, Biomedical Engineering
Mike Pratt, Catholic, So., M. Tennis, Philosophy & Pre-Law
Alexandra Aarons, Drew, Jr., Softball, Neuroscience
Jon Bucknam, Drew, Jr., M. Lacrosse, Economics
Katherine Mulligan, Drew, Sr., Softball, Psychology
Michael Riccardi, Drew, Sr., M. Lacrosse, Economics
Mouna Attarha, Goucher, Sr., W. Tennis, Psychology
Alex Boucher, Goucher, Jr., M. Lacrosse, Economics
Colleen Cole, Goucher, So., W. Lacrosse, Undecided
Billie Weiss, Goucher, So., M. Tennis, Communications
Alyssa Erb, Juniata, Jr., Softball, Theatre Performance & Natural Science
Ryan Johnson, Juniata, Jr., M. Outdoor Track/Field, Biology
Laura Rupprecht, Juniata, Jr., W. Outdoor Track/Field, Biology
Matt Sullivan, Juniata, Sr., Baseball, Biology
Ian Box, Moravian, Jr., M. Tennis, Biology
Erica Klepeisz, Moravian, Sr., Softball, History & Elementary Education
Blair Maginnis, Moravian, Sr., M. Outdoor Track/Field, Sociology
Jessica Posimo, Moravian, Jr., W. Outdoor Track/Field, Biochemistry
Kyle Fox, Scranton, Sr., Baseball, Accounting
Thomas Kornobis, Scranton, Sr., M. Lacrosse, Finance
Heather Melone, Scranton, Jr., W. Lacrosse, Occupational Therapy
Deirdre Wylie, Scranton, Jr., W. Tennis, Biology
J.J. Brooks, Susquehanna, Sr., M. Outdoor Track/Field, Accounting
Gretchen Halsey, Susquehanna, Sr., Softball, Accounting & German
Ray Snarski, Susquehanna, Sr., M. Outdoor Track/Field, Finance & Economics
Shelby Werronen, Susquehanna, Sr., W. Tennis, Accounting
Darin Coleman, USMMA, Sr., Baseball, Logistics & Intermodal Transportation
Kevin Dwyer, USMMA, So., M. Lacrosse, Logistics & Intermodal Transportation
Jennifer Swanson, USMMA, Sr., Softball, Engineering Systems
Karen Taylor, USMMA, Sr., Softball, Logistics & Intermodal Transportation

Luigi Alverado from Lima, Peru showed steady improvement throughout his career as part of the Catholic men’s tennis team. He moved from 10th singles to second singles over his four years, and went on to lead the Cardinals in singles victories in his senior season. A biochemistry major, he sported a strong cumulative GPA and was twice honored with selection to the Landmark Academic Honor Roll.

Caitlin Dunn of Hanover, Pa. was a standout for the Catholic women’s tennis team throughout her career. She capped her career by earning first-team All-Conference honors as a senior after she collected eight doubles victories and four singles wins. She earned her degree in political science and finished with an outstanding GPA and was a two-time Academic Honor Roll choice.

Kristen Kennedy, a native of Great Falls, Va., saved her best for last as she earned All-Conference honors in her senior season as a member of the Catholic track & field team. She won the heptathlon at the Landmark Championships, and added top-six finishes in three other events. She finished a degree in biochemistry and managed to earn both her undergraduate and graduate degree in four years.

Mike Pratt from Niles Mich. is off to a strong start in his career for the Catholic men’s tennis team. He earned a spot in both the singles and doubles lineup for the Cardinals in his sophomore season and was a strong contributor for the team. Off the court he boasts a stellar GPA as he works towards a degree in philosophy/pre-law and he claimed Landmark Academic Honor Roll status for the first time this semester.

Alexandra Aarons, from East Norwich, N.Y., missed the entire 2009 softball season due to injury but remained a valuable part of the team with her leadership ability and commitment. A pitcher for the Rangers she has piled up more than 50 innings of work during her career. A neuroscience major her strong GPA has earned her Dean’s List and Landmark Academic Honor Roll credentials during her career.

Jon Bucknam, a native of Flemington, N.J., has been a standout member of the Drew lacrosse program for three seasons. He led the Landmark in goals per game in his junior year as he capture first-team All-Conference honors. It was his second All-Conference honor in as many seasons. Off the field the economics major also earned Dean’s List and Academic Honor Roll recognition for the second time.

Katherine Mulligan of Clark, N.J. closed a stellar softball career for Drew in which she started all but one game over her four seasons. The senior outfielder finished her career with more than 120 games played, 70 hits and 30 RBI. She also helped Drew reach the Landmark postseason as a junior. In the classroom she is a three-time Academic Honor Roll selection and boasts a stellar GPA while earning a degree in psychology.

Michael Riccardi of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. saved his best performances for his senior year as a strong four-year player for the Drew men’s lacrosse team. He played in every game in his senior campaign as a midfielder and scored three goals including one game-winning tally. The economics major also had his best semester off the field posting a 4.0 GPA in his final semester at Drew.

Mouna Attarha, a native of Piedmont, Calif., was a key contributor for the Goucher women’s tennis team that reached the Landmark Championship match. The senior went 13-7 in singles on the year, and also collected nine doubles wins in her last season. A psychology major, she has compiled a stellar cumulative GPA and has twice been honored with Academic Honor Roll selections.

Alex Boucher of North Wales, Pa. earns All-Academic honors for the second time in as many seasons after another strong year for the Goucher men’s lacrosse team. A co-captain, he scored 13 goals and added three assists for the Gophers, after earning All-Conference honors last season. An economics major, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in six of his eight collegiate semesters.

Colleen Cole from Holliston, Mass put together a breakout season for the Goucher women’s lacrosse team and continued her good work in the classroom. She was a first-team All-Conference choice as a midfielder as she scored 35 goals, passed out 20 assists and produced 40 draw controls. She earned Landmark Academic Honor Roll status for the first time, and has a strong GPA while she has not decided on a major.

Billie Weiss of Lutherville, Md. is off to a strong athletic and academic start to his career after his sophomore campaign for the Goucher tennis team. He was Goucher’s co-leader in singles wins in 2009 and has collected a total of nine singles victories in his first two seasons. He’s majoring in communications at Goucher and picked up Landmark Academic Honor Roll recognition for the first time this semester.

Alyssa Erb, a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa., was a second-team All-Conference choice as she continued her standout career for the Juniata softball team. She set a new Juniata single season record with 167 strikeouts while adding 14 victories and a 2.37 earned run average in 2009. She has twice collected Landmark Academic Honor Roll status and is working towards a degree in theater performance and natural sciences.

Ryan Johnson of Mountaintop, Pa. put together a strong season for the Juniata track & field team. He picked up second-team All-Conference honors by placing second in the hammer throw at the Landmark Outdoor Track & Field Championships while also adding an eighth-place finish in the javelin. He will begin a term as Juniata Student Government President next fall and is studying biology.

Laura Rupprecht of Jefferson, Md. has excelled for Juniata in track & field and cross country. She was a second-team All-Conference performer at the Landmark Outdoor Track & Field Championships by placing second in the 1,500 and she’s been an All-Conference and All-Region performer in cross country. A biology major, she is a six-time Landmark Academic Honor Roll choice.

Matt Sullivan of Elizabethtown, Pa. concluded a strong career for the Juniata baseball team this spring. A two-year starter in the outfield, he hit .268 for his career and was tied for third on the Eagles this spring with 20 runs scored. He also added 26 hits and 14 RBI in his senior campaign. A member of the Beta Beta Beta Honor Society, he earned his degree in biology and was a two-time Academic Honor Roll selection.

Ian Box, a native of Charlestown, Mass., finds a spot on the All-Academic Team for the second-straight year after another strong season for the Moravian men’s tennis team. He earned first-team All-Conference honors for the second time, claiming a spot in both singles and doubles, and finishing with 12 singles wins. He is studying biology and has twice captured Academic Honor Roll recognition.

Erica Klepeisz, of Nazareth, Pa. closed a stellar career with the Moravian softball team this season. She earned All-Region honors for the third time in her career and was also a first-team All-Conference pick as she hit .346 with 44 hits and 27 runs scored. She also was a two-time ECAC All-Star. She earned her degree in history and elementary education and twice earned Landmark Academic Honor Roll distinction.

Blair Maginnis, from Asbury, N.J., capped a standout career by earning Field Athlete of the Year honors at the Landmark Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He claimed first-team All-Landmark honors four times in his career and won multiple events at Landmark Track Championships. A sociology student he earns All-Academic Team laurels for the second time and is a four-time Academic Honor Roll honoree.

Jessica Posimo of Philadelphia, Pa. earned All-America honors this spring as part of the Moravian track and field team. She was part of the sixth-place 4x100 relay team at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, and also qualified in the long jump. She earned first-team All-Conference honors and finishing second in three events. A biochemistry major she earns All-Academic honors for the second time.

Kyle Fox of Scranton, Pa., enjoyed a decorated career on and off the field for the Scranton baseball team. He was a second-team All-Conference choice in 2008 and closed his career with 10 overall victories and 100 strikeouts in 118 innings as a reliever. He earned a degree in accounting while claiming Dean’s List laurels every semester, and he boasted the highest cumulative GPA of all student-athletes in the senior class.

Thomas Kornobis, a native of Merrick, N.Y., earns All-Academic honors for the second time in as many seasons after helping the Scranton men’s lacrosse team to the Landmark Championship match. A two-time All-Conference choice he finished his career ranked second in school history with 78 assists and 12th in total points with 113. He was a three-time Dean’s List honoree while earning his degree in finance.

Heather Melone of Wall, N.J. has put together a strong three seasons as a member of the Royals’ women’s lacrosse team. She earned All-Conference honors this past season, and through three years has amassed 58 goals and 17 assists in just 46 games. She is studying occupational therapy at Scranton and has twice earned a spot on the Dean’s List and on the Landmark Academic Honor Roll.

Deirdre Wylie from Schnecksville, Pa. has been a standout for the Scranton women’s tennis team in her first three seasons. She was honored as a first-team All-Conference singles player, and a second-team All-Conference doubles pick this season as she led the Royals in singles victories. She has earned 19 singles wins in her career. She is studying biology and is a two-time Landmark Academic Honor Roll selection.

J.J. Brooks of Cogan Station, Pa., earns a spot on a Landmark All-Academic Team for an unprecedented sixth time in his career after being selected to three teams last year and three again in 2008-09. Brooks scored nine points for Susquehanna at the Landmark Outdoor Track & Field Championships, helping the team place second at the meet. An accounting major, he graduated this spring with a stellar GPA.

Gretchen Halsey from Pottsville, Pa. was a significant contributor for the Susquehanna softball team that placed second in both the Landmark regular season and postseason. She hit .320 as a co-captain for the team and both played the outfield and worked as a pitcher. She graduated with a degree in accounting and German and captured conference Academic Honor Roll status three times in her career.

Ray Snarski of Elysburg, Pa. earns Spring All-Academic recognition after also earning a spot on the Winter All-Academic Team. He produced 10 points for Susquehanna at the Landmark Outdoor Track & Field Championships after earning second-team All-Conference honors in indoor track. He closed his collegiate career with an excellent GPA as a double major in finance and economics.

Shelby Werronen, a native of Concord, Ohio, earns a spot on the Spring All-Academic Team for the second time after closing a strong career for the Crusader women’s tennis team. She won eight total matches in 2008-09 playing at either first or second singles and doubles. An accounting major she also captured Landmark Academic Honor Roll accolades twice in her career.

Darin Coleman, a native of Grand Junction, Colo., was a key piece and tri-captain for the USMMA baseball team that enjoyed a record-breaking season. Batting leadoff he hit .311 with 19 stolen bases, 35 runs scored and 24 RBI while helping the team establish a program record for wins in a season. He earned his degree in logistics and intermodal transportation and was a two-time Academic Honor Roll honoree.

Kevin Dwyer from Smithtown, N.Y. was a starting defenseman for the USMMA men’s lacrosse team that won the Landmark Championship and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in school history. He had 39 ground balls and seven caused turnovers for the Mariners defense. A logistics and intermodal transportation major, he twice was recognized with a spot on the Academic Honor Roll

Jennifer Swanson of Tucson, Ariz. Earns All-Academic honors for the second time in as many seasons after a strong year for the USMMA softball team. A co-captain for the team she hit .324 in her senior season, with 20 RBI and 19 runs scored while playing both catcher and shortstop. With a strong GPA she is studying marine engineering systems and earned Landmark Academic Honor Roll status twice.

Karen Taylor of Amarillo, Texas earns a spot on a Landmark All-Academic Team for the third time after earning the accolade in the spring last year and this past winter as a member of the Mariner women’s basketball team. She hit .317 for USMMA on the year and also boasted a 2.69 ERA with 122 strikeouts as a pitcher for the Mariners. She is majoring in logistics and intermodal transportation at the Academy.