JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com)York College department of athletics returned to campus to hold its annual athletics awards banquet for the first time since 2019 by celebrating its 2021-22 achievements Friday evening with The YESPYS, the 46th annual Athletic Awards Banquet, held inside York College Gymnasium. 

Juniors Ryan Lahens (men's cross country, indoor/outdoor track & field) and Aminata Sagna (women's basketball) helped recognize the outstanding athletic accomplishments as emcees for the night.

Prior to celebrating the 2021-22 achievements, the department handed out the 2020-21 awards.  In the absence of competition during the 2020-21 academic year, York recognized the elite student-athletes who stepped up during that time, displaying the leadership that each team needed.   

• Men's Basketball Coaches Award - Devine Chisholm
• Women's Basketball Coaches Award - Keyla Cabrera
• Men's Cross Country Coaches Award - Terrell Trumpet
• Women's Cross Country Coaches Award - Jaylene Coye
• Men's Soccer Coaches Award - Adedayo Epemolu
• Women's Soccer Coaches Award - Gema Guillen
• Softball Coaches Award - Veena Karupen
• Men's Swimming Coaches Award - Anthony Nazario, Jr.
• Women's Swimming Coaches Award - Shanice Welcome
• Women's Tennis Coaches Award - Geraldine Guese
• Men's Track & Field Coaches Award - Shevon Walker
• Women's Track & Field Coaches Award - Emely Cuevas
• Men's Volleyball Coaches Award - Anthony Nazario, Jr.
• Women's Volleyball Coaches Award - Emily Cabrera

Following the 2020-21 Team Coaches Awards, the department handed out the major awards.

Career Awards are given to a female and male student-athlete who were deemed to have the most impactful career with a minimum of three years played at York.  The honoree must have exhausted eligibility in their primary sport, if applicable, or be a graduating student-athlete. 

Female Career Award: Kalice Hitchman (Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field)
Hitchman competed during three seasons as one of the top performers in the conference. During her first season, Hitchman was named a CUNYAC All-Star for the 2017-18 indoor track & field campaign.  Hitchman then followed with a CUNYAC All-Star status in 2018 for outdoor track & field.  During the 2019-20 CUNYAC indoor track & field championship, Hitchman helped guide the 4x400-meter relay squad to victory for the second-straight year en route to earning her third-career CUNYAC All-Star distinction.  Hitchman compiled 42 of York's 49 points during the 2019-20 indoor Championships by also placing second in both the long jump and shot put events.

Male Career Award: Keshan Ross (Men's Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field)
Ross was a member of the Cardinals men's cross country, and indoor and outdoor track & field teams.  In 2020-21, Ross was named one of York's seven CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients, which recognizes the CUNYAC's best and brightest student-athletes, who not only excel in athletics but succeed in the classroom as well. During the 2018-19 academic year, Ross garnered CUNYAC All-Star status in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. In 2019, Ross earned a spot on the CUNYAC Indoor Track & Field Sportsmanship Team for the third-straight season.  Serving as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Team Representative, Ross represented York on the Sportsmanship Team for cross country and outdoor track & field in 2019. Ross was a mainstay at CUNYAC Championships, competing in a total of eight between cross country, and indoor and outdoor track & field.  

The "I Am A Cardinal" Award is presented to a student-athlete who embodies the team-first principles of sportsmanship, mutual respect, commitment and discipline. 

I Am A Cardinal Award: Cami Melson (Women's Basketball)
Melson's focus during the 2020-2021 academic year was certainly growth.  She was one of 535 female college athletes who were nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, which is awarded to a graduating female student-athlete that has distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service, and leadership. Recognized as one of the CUNYAC's best and brightest student-athletes, who not only excel in athletics but succeed in the classroom as well, Melson truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete. Melson was another one of York's seven CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients in 2020-21. As a team captain during the 2019-20 season, Melson contributed to the program's highest win total since 2009-10 and helped York return to the postseason for the first time since 2016.  Melson is also recognized as a four-time Dean's List honoree, two-time CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll recipient, as well as serving as a student-athlete mentor, and Student Government Association (SGA) Senator and Recording Secretary.

The Team of the Year Award recognizes a team that was deemed to have had the best overall season, with not only success on the field of play, but also factors in off-the-field matters such as embodying community spirit and consistently representing the school with character and integrity.

Team of the Year: Softball
In the absence of competition during the 2020-21 academic year, Softball is being recognized as the Team of the Year based on their efforts made to excel academically and support department and institutional programming.  Softball consistently supported departmental and institutional events and initiatives, including hosting alumni networking and giving back by way of community service.  These efforts were especially commendable given the extended timeline between seasons of competition.  

Traditionally, the Student-Athlete of the Year awards recognize our top female and male student-athletes who had the most successful season of competition.  However, in the absence of sport, the 2020-21 Student-Athlete of the Year was based off of nominations from the team coaches award and the student-athlete's overall contribution to the team and the department. 
 
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Veena Karupen (Softball)
Despite playing her lone season during the 2019 campaign, Karupen made a great impact on the program.  During 2020-21, Karupen served as York Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President, and gained additional leadership experience as a senior in her role as CUNYAC SAAC Secretary and Student Government Association (SGA) Senator.  Prior to 2020-21, Karupen held SAAC positions as Vice President in 2019-20, and Team Representative in 2018-19.  As a Cardinal, Karupen also became a Dean's List honoree, CUNYAC Academic Honor Roll recipient, and served as a student-athlete mentor.  Karupen was recognized as one of the CUNYAC's best and brightest student-athletes, who not only excel in athletics but succeed in the classroom as well.  Karupen truly embodied what it meant to be a student-athlete and was one of York's seven CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winners in 2020-21. 

Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Anthony Nazario, Jr. (Men's Swimming, Volleyball)
Nazario Jr. was a key contributor to York's programming efforts throughout the 2020-21 academic year.  As a true student-athlete leader, Nazario Jr. was named to the Team Coaches Award for both men's swimming and volleyball during 2020-21.  Nazario Jr. was an ambassador for the Student-Athlete Mentor (SAMs) program and also starred as a virtual co-host for The YESPYS 2019-20 Awards Show.  He was also a mainstay for the department's social media campaigns, in addition to supporting Intramurals and Recreation virtual programming. 
 
Following the 2020-21 awards, director of athletics Carl Christian opened with welcoming remarks to open the 2021-22 awards portion of the program.



The department of athletics gave out SAAC recognition awards by recognizing a select group of campus personnel for their contributions that contribute to further enhancing the student-athlete experience:

• Dr. Lori Hoeffner Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning 
• Office of Information Technology 
• Office of Public Safety 
• Dr. Ariel Nassim, Team Physician

CUNYAC Scholar-Athletes, CUNYAC All-Stars and CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team recipients from the 2021-22 academic year were also recognized.
 
2021-22 Team Awards were announced by each program's respective coach. 
Men's Basketball
Most Outstanding - Quran Dublin
Most Improved - Guillermo Hernandez
Coaches Award - Devine Chisholm
 
Women's Basketball
Most Outstanding - Mac-Dege Dessources
Newcomer of the Year - Alicia Gumbs
Coaches Award - Aminata Sagna
 
Men's Cross Country
Most Outstanding - Shawn Nemoto
Newcomer of the Year - Glenver Stuart 
Coaches Award - Djelili Okoro
 
Women's Cross Country
Most Outstanding - Taylor Bellmon
Newcomer of the Year - Taylor Bellmon
Coaches Award - Jaylene Coye
 
Men's Soccer
Most Outstanding Kervin Mondesir
Newcomer of the Year Ahmed Elgendy
Coaches Award Adedayo Epemolu
 
Women's Soccer
Most Outstanding Taylor Bellmon
Newcomer of the Year Emelin Cajamarca
Coaches Award Gema Guillen
 
Softball
Most Outstanding - Mary Cuevas
Newcomer of the Year - Kiara Gonzalez
Coaches Award - Andrea Wright
 
Women's Tennis
Most Outstanding - Monique James
Newcomer of the Year - Jamelia Jordan
Coaches Award - Alyssa King
 
Men's Track & Field (Indoor)
Most Outstanding Shevon Walker
Newcomer of the Year Hakeem Griffiths
Coaches Award Andrew George
 
Women's Track & Field (Indoor)
Most Outstanding Destiny Scott
Newcomer of the Year Charlia Webb
Coaches Award Jaylene Coye
 
Men's Track & Field (Outdoor)
Most Outstanding - Ryan Lahens
Newcomer of the Year - Hakeem Griffiths
Coaches Award - Andrew George
 
Women's Track & Field (Outdoor)
Most Outstanding - Destiny Scott
Newcomer of the Year - Taylor Bellmon
Coaches Award - Shalanie McIntosh
 
Men's Volleyball
Most Outstanding - David J. Heyliger, Jr.
Newcomer of the Year - Kensley Jean Gilles
Coaches Award - Anthony Nazario, Jr.
 
Women's Volleyball
Most Outstanding - Kiara Gonzalez
Newcomer of the Year - Kylana Laspina
Coaches Award - Ruth Lopez
 

The 2021-22 senior class of 23 (listed below) were presented with Senior Awards and a tribute video for their dedication to York College Athletics.

• Jaylene Coye (Women's Cross Country, Track & Field)
• Mary Cuevas (Softball)
• Wayne Dawkins (Men's Soccer)
• Elodie Dorvile (Women's Soccer)
• Quran Dublin (Men's Basketball)
• Adedayo Epemolu (Men's Soccer)
• Kirk Gardner (Men's Soccer)
• Andrew George (Men's Cross Country, Track & Field)
• Kiara Gonzalez (Women's Volleyball, Softball)
• Geraldine Guese (Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis)
• Stephanie Gutierrez (Women's Soccer)
• Guillermo Hernandez (Men's Basketball)
• Chayana Jimenez (Women's Volleyball)
• Alyssa King (Women's Tennis)
• Mambe Koureissi (Men's Basketball, Volleyball)
• Shalanie McIntosh (Women's Cross Country, Track & Field)
• Roki Mendoza Familia (Men's Basketball)
• Anthony Nazario Jr. (Men's Swimming, Volleyball)
• Shawn Nemoto (Men's Cross Country, Track & Field, Volleyball)
• Melissa Noble (Softball)
• Destiny Scott (Women's Track & Field)
• Alexandra Taveras (Women's Volleyball)
• Shevon Walker (Men's Cross Country, Track & Field)

Long-standing member of the York College family, head men's volleyball coach Andre M. Titus, Jr. was recognized the "Once A Cardinal, Always A Cardinal Award".  After 24 seasons at York, coach Titus has announced that he has stepped away from the sidelines at York.  Coach Titus was recognized for his dedication, commitment, leadership and service during his long-standing tenure at York. 

Athletics staff and campus administration presented the department's 2021-22 major awards. 
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year award recognizes a student-athlete with highest cumulative grade-point average.  The honoree must have competed in a minimum of one season of competition and successfully completed two academic semesters of full-time enrollment with a minimum of 24 credits at York.

Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Madonna Adiebe (Women's Swimming, Tennis)
Madonna Adieb, a junior member of the women's swimming and tennis teams, earned the Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second-consecutive year. Adieb holds a 3.864 cumulative grade-point average as an occupational therapy major.  During her time at York, she has been on the Dean's List four times and is one of the top students in her major.

The Team Academic Award recognizes a team with the highest cumulative grade-point average based on our academic report prior to the start of the Spring semester.  The Team GPA Award encompasses all student-athletes rostered and/or who triggered a season of eligibility based on the average of individual cumulative GPA.  

Team Academic Award: Men's Indoor Track & Field
Men's Indoor Track & Field collectively held a 3.032 cumulative grade-point average to earn the 2021-22 Team Academic Award. 

Newcomer of the Year awards are presented to our top female and male student-athlete newcomer who had the most successful first season as a Cardinal.
Female Newcomer Student-Athlete of the Year: Alicia Gumbs (Women's Basketball)
Gumbs averaged 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals per contest while connecting on 35.7 percent from the field in 17 games played.  As a freshman, Gumbs ranked 12th in NCAA Division III with 38.2 minutes per game.  She also ranked in the top-20 in the CUNYAC in points per game (16th), rebounds per game (18th), assists per game (T-6th), steals per game (T-14th), field goal percentage (17th) and minutes per game (3rd, 38.2).  Gumbs closed out her season by being recognized as a Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Divisions II-III Honorable Mention weekly selection after leading York to victory in the season finale by playing all 40 minutes to tie a career-high with 19 points during a home win against CCNY. 

Male Newcomer Student-Athlete of the Year: Hakeem Griffiths (Men's Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field)
Griffiths was twice named the CUNYAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Rookie of the Week and was a one-time selection as a CUNYAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Rookie of the Week.  Griffiths tallied 24 points at the CUNYAC Indoor Championships to be named a CUNYAC All-Star.  He won the triple jump with a leap of 12.23 and also placed third in the long jump with an effort of 5.92 meters.  Griffiths led the CUNYAC in the triple jump (12.64m), and is rated on the CUNYAC Indoor Performance List by ranking second in the 4x400 relay (3:43.45), a performance that generated a second-place finish at CUNYAC Championships.  During the outdoor season, Griffiths produced 37 of York's 55 points at the Championships as he captured victory in the long jump, triple jump and 4x100 events, and also placed second in the 100-meter dash event. Griffiths is the CUNYAC Outdoor Performance list leader in the triple jump and ranks second in the long jump.  He competed in all 11 track & field meets and also ran in five meets as a member of the cross country team.
 
Career Awards are given to a female and male student-athlete who were deemed to have the most impactful career with a minimum of three years played at York.  The honoree must have exhausted eligibility in their primary sport, if applicable, or be a graduating student-athlete. 

Female Career Award: Geraldine Guese (Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field)
Guese has competed as a member of the cross country, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field programs during her time as a Cardinal. Throughout her career at York, Guese has won over 100-career games at singles and garnered CUNYAC recognition as the program's first-ever 3-time Tennis All-Star.  In 2019, Guese garnered a first-team selection as York's first honoree to land on the first-team since 2011.  In three seasons as a member of the women's soccer team, Geraldine started in 34 of her 35 games played. The 2018 CUNYAC Women's Soccer Sportsmanship Award winner contributed to a defensive front that registered three shutouts and aided a unit that held the opposition to one goal or less in seven games during her time as a Cardinal.  As a member of Track & Field, Guese was named an Indoor Track & Field All-Star after leading York to victory in the 4x400 relay event at the 2018-19 CUNYAC Championships
 
Male Career Award: Shevon Walker (Men's Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field)
Walker is a three-time CUNYAC Indoor Track & Field All-Star and was also named a CUNYAC Outdoor Track & Field All-Star in 2019.  He generated 89 career-points during five CUNYAC Indoor and Outdoor Championship meets that saw him medal in nine events.  Walker contributed to a pair of 4x400 outdoor relay championships. He also captured two 200-meter dash indoor titles, and as a senior, Walker earned gold in the 60 and 200-meter dash events.  Walker produced second-place in the 4x400 relays at the 2019 outdoor and 2021-22 indoor championships.  He also registered a second-place finish in the 60-meter dash at the 2019-20 indoors and added to a third-place 4x400 finish at the 2018-19 indoors.  As a senior, Walker set personal-records in the outdoor 100 and 200 meter races, while his 2019-20 indoor season saw his cement personal-bests in the 60, 200 and 400-meter events.  Walker also ran in three CUNYAC Championship meets as a three-year member of the men's cross country team. 
 
The "I Am A Cardinal" Award is presented to a student-athlete who embodies the team-first principles of sportsmanship, mutual respect, commitment and discipline. 
I Am A Cardinal Award: Taylor Bellmon (Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field) 
Bellmon took on a lot of responsibility during the 2021-22 academic year. During a year that marked a return to sport for the Cardinals, Bellmon played a major role for York College.  Not only did she return to form as a member of the women's soccer and track & field teams, but when injuries and illness impacted whether or not a team will be able to field a team to compete safely, Bellmon volunteered to join.  In total, Bellmon competed in 39 contests combined as a member of the women's basketball, cross country, soccer, softball and track & field programs.  Bellmon was rewarded for her hard work and dedication by being named the CUNYAC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year, a CUNYAC Cross Country and Soccer All-Star, and was also recognized as the CUNYAC Women's Soccer Sportsmanship Award winner.  At the 2021-22 CUNYAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, Bellmon medaled with a second-place finish in the 4x400 relay and placed third in the 200-meter dash.  Bellmon truly embodies what it means to be a student-athlete.

The Coach of the Year Award honors a coach who has demonstrated an exemplary ability to develop and improve individual and team performance both on and off the field of play throughout the year. This has truly been a unique and unprecedented year and as such, this year's Coach of the Year Award is shared between two equally deserving recipients in recognition of their personal efforts, sacrifice and commitment to their program.  
 
Coach of the Year: Nolan Adams (Men's Basketball)
Coach Adams and his men's basketball staff displayed a resilient and collaborative approach to managing his personal circumstances during the season.  The Cardinals posted their highest win total since 2014-15, with a 13-11 overall record and went 10-4 to advance to the CUNYAC playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.  York qualified as the No. 3 seed, advancing to the CUNYAC Championship semifinals for the first time since 2014-15. 

Coach of the Year: Tracey Marshall (Softball)
Coach Marshall worked diligently to field a team after a three-year hiatus so that softball was able to compete for the first time since May 2, 2019.  Since then, coach Marshall has gradually rebuilt the program and was able to provide an experience for her senior class and new student-athletes.  Throughout the year, it is well known that coach Marshall has put the team ahead of her own personal circumstances and done everything she can to provide a positive experience for her team under challenging circumstances.

The Team of the Year Award recognizes a team that was deemed to have had the best overall season, with not only success on the field of play, but also factors in off-the-field matters such as embodying community spirit and consistently representing the school with character and integrity.
Team of the Year: Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball posted their highest win total since 2014-15, generating 13-11 overall record and went 10-4 to advance to return to CUNYAC Championship play for the first time since the 2015-16 season.  Playing as the No. 3 seed, York then moved past CCNY in the opening round to advance to the CUNYAC Championship semifinals for the first time since 2014-15.  York shot a CUNYAC-leading 72.3 percent from the free-throw line and 32.4 percent from three-point range.  In the NCAA Division III Statistical Rankings Summary, York finished the season ranked 6th in rebounds per game, 5th in defensive rebounds per game, 41st in offensive rebounds per game, 28th in free-throws made and 38th in points per game.  The program was recognized with their second CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month since 2019, and produced a pair of CUNYAC Player of the Week awards and one CUNYAC Rookie of the Week distinction.  York developed its first All-Region selection since 2013-14, in addition to a pair of CUNYAC All-Stars and one CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team honoree. 
 
The Student-Athlete of the Year awards recognize our top male and female student-athletes who had the most successful season of competition in 2021-22.

Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Mac-Dege Dessources (Women's Basketball)
For the third-time in her career, Dessources has been named the Female Student-Athlete of the Year.  Dessources, a junior center was recognized as a first-team CUNYAC Women's Basketball All-Star, the program's first since 2009-10, after leading the conference in points per game, rebounds per game and blocks per game.  She led York to CUNYAC Championship play for the second-straight season, registering a career-high 20.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 50.2 percent from the field.  In the NCAA Division III Statistical Rankings Summary, Dessources ranked second in the nation in rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game, 14th in points per game, 21st in defensive rebounds per game, 27th in blocks per game and 34th in double-doubles.  Dessources scored a program-record 43 points and grabbed a season-high 25 rebounds on February 7 in a 77-59 win at Baruch College on the way to being named the program's first-ever D3hoops.com Team of the Week selection.  This two-time CUNYAC All-Star capped her junior season by being named a Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association All-Met Division III Third-Team honoree. 

Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Quran Dublin (Men's Basketball)
Dublin, a senior guard, was named York's first CUNYAC Men's Basketball All-Star first-team selection since 2013-14.  In 24 games, Dublin averaged 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals per contest.  In the final NCAA Statistical Rankings Summary, Dublin ranked 21st in points per game, 12th in free-throw percentage, 39th in points and 22nd in minutes per game.  To conclude a dominant 2021-22 season, Dublin was recognized by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association as an All-Met Division III Second-Team selection in addition to being named a D3hoops.com All-Region Second-Team honoree for the program's first distinctions since 2013-14.  Dublin Quran was twice named the CUNYAC Player of the Week, and also garnered a pair of Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Honorable Mention distinctions and one Co-Player of the Week selection. 
   
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