BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland celebrated its 2018-2019 athletic seasons on Monday night with The Iggys Awards, an event to celebrate the athletic and academic pursuits of the Greyhounds throughout the year.
Learn more about the award winners:
Male Freshman of the Year
Chase Scanlan leads all NCAA Division I midfielders and all freshmen in goals scores this season and was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year earlier today. He is closing in on the Loyola freshman record for goals scored and is an All-Patriot League First Team honoree.
Female Freshman of the Year
Katie Forsythe broke school and Patriot League records in her first season at Loyola, earning Patirot League Rookie of the Year, Libero of the Year and All-Patriot League First Team honors in her first season. She set the school and conference records for digs in a season, helping Loyola to its first-ever Patriot League semifinals.
Male Sophomore of the Year
On Friday night, Kevin Lindley broke the school record for most goals in a season, breaking a record in 14 games that was originally set in 18 during the 2012 season. The sophomore attackman leads all NCAA players in goals and goals per game this season entering the Patriot League Championships.
Female Sophomore of the Year
Livy Rosenzweig took down a school record on Friday afternoon, continuing what has been a standout sophomore season for the women's lacrosse team. She became the school's single-season leader in assist with 54. She has also posted the fifth season with 90 or more points in school history and is 12 back of the single-season record of 102 she set last year.
Male Junior of the Year
Andrew Kostecka put together one of the finest seasons in Loyola men's basketball history, earning All-Patriot League First Team and All-NABC Regional honors. He led the Patriot League in points and steals per game and scored 682 points, second-most in school single-season history. He was the only player in NCAA Division I to score more than 625 points and have more than 80 steals this season.
Female Junior of the Year
Ann Ernst became the first Loyola volleyball outside hitter to earn All-Patriot League First Team recognition this season as she helped lead the Greyhounds to their first-ever appearance in the Patriot League Championships. She led the Patriot League in kills and kills per set this season and raised her season hitting percentage by almost 70 points from her previous career mark.
Male Senior of the Year
Earlier today, Pat Spencer became the first player in Patriot League men's lacrosse history to earn Offensive Player of the Year honors four-straight years. He is the Loyola and conference record-holder in career assists and points, and he is the only player in the NCAA to rank in the top-20 for points, goals and assists this season. Entering the the Patriot League Championships, he is ranked third all-time in NCAA career assists and points.
Female Senior of the Year
Taylor VanThof was named the Patriot League Midfielder of the year earlier today and has been one of the most statistically dominating players on the draw circle throughout her career for the Greyhounds. VanThof will graduate as Loyola's game, single-season and career leader in draw controls and with 27 this season, she is one goal shy of 100 for her career.
Men's Fr. McManamin Unsung Hero Award
Erick Alonso has been a key member of the Greyhounds starting lineup throughout his career and is on track to leave Loyola with one of the top three scoring averages in program history. The Greyhounds graduated their entire starting lineup last season, but Alonso chose to return for his fourth year of eligibility by going to graduate school, a decision that was a boon for the Greyhounds with his addition of consistency and leadership.
Female Fr. McManamin Unsung Hero Award
Alisah Cash sat out last spring's practices with an injury, but she dedicated her summer to having the best year she could as a senior in 2018 for the volleyball team. Through her work-ethic and positive attitude, Cash did just that, improving in every statistical category while being a formidable blocker at the net as she helped Loyola reach the Patriot League Championships for the first time in program history.
Male Anne McCloskey Leadership Award
Being a three-year captain is a rare feat for anyone, but that was just the start of Mickey Watson's leadership efforts on the Loyola campus. Mickey made a lasting impact on the men's soccer team's locker room and team culture while also serving in may capacities on campus, including as a member of the Green & Grey Society and as the co-president of Loyola SAAC. Also active in student government at Loyola, Watson has attended the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference and the Naval Academy Leadership Conference during his time as a Greyhound.
Female Anne McCloskey Leadership Award
An injury did not derail Mia Gioia's contributions to the Loyola women's rowing team when she was told by doctors that she would not be able to compete this season. She has been one of the Greyhounds' fastest rowers, but she stepped into the coxswain seat to fulfill a clear need for the team, and the boats she has worked with have all performed at their highest levels with her as a member. Also a co-president of Loyola's SAAC, Gioia's leadership efforts have extended well past her team and she has impacted the lives of other student-athletes, coaches, administrators and the general student body at Loyola.
John Mohler Award
He will leave Loyola as the most-decorated lacrosse player in program history with three All-America honors and four conference player of the year trophies to his name. Pat Spencer was named the top attackman in the game last season and he is in the top three of two NCAA career offensive categories. He has long been a leader to the Greyhounds' offense, but his passion for winning has extended to all this year as he was named team captain prior to the year with his difference-making abilities making him a transcendent talent for the sport.
Ernest Lagna Award
On the field, Kristen Yanchoris has been one of the top defenders in a women's lacrosse program since she came to the Evergreen campus, and earlier today she was named to the All-Patriot League team for the fourth time in her career. She was the Patriot League Defender of the Year last season and also earned Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. She was named to the Inside Lacrosse Women's Midseason All-America list for her play to date in 2019, and she has been active off the field, as well. Yanchoris attended the Athlete Connection Leadership Conference in New York this year, and last year she received the Student Choice ALIVE Award for Action, Leadership, Integrity, Values and Excellence.
Diane Geppi-Aikens Inspiration Award
Near the end of May and at high-school graduation time, Brian Hoffarth was in an automobile accident that broke his femur and pelvis, leaving him hospitalized for a long time. Hoffarth's unbridled determination, however, led him to work hard through hours of painful rehabilitation and physical therapy throughout the summer and into his freshman year so that he was able to return to the tennis court during the spring season. Hoffarth continued to put in a very high work ethic and competed in the starting lineup in singles and doubles as a sophomore before moving up to the No. 1 singles slot as a junior and senior when he has also been a co-captain. Brian's inspiration and dedication to his recovery and ability to play the sport he loves was an inspiration to his teammates and those around him.
The women's tennis team earned the honor of having the highest cumulative grade-point average (3.757), while women's basketball's Courtney Vannoy and Richie Easterly were recognized as the seniors with the highest GPAs.
