ITHACA, N.Y. – During Liberty League championship weekend during the fall season, Ithaca College secured six weekly awards, which were announced on November 7.
Volleyball – Performer of the Week – Aleka Darko
Aleka Darko helped power the Bombers win the Liberty League Championship with a pair of outstanding performances. Darko put together 13 kills and a pair of blocks in the semifinals before putting together a gutsy effort in the final where she added 12 more digs and five blocks, which included three solo efforts at the net.
Women’s Soccer – Defensive Performer of the Week – Claire Reader
Claire Reader was an absolute brick wall in net for Ithaca as she did not allow a goal in over 220 minutes of postseason action that saw the Bombers best Clarkson 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals before being crowned Liberty League champions with a penalty kicks win over No. 6 William Smith. Reader made 10 saves as she faced 21 shots in the championship match against William Smith.
Football – Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week – Michael Roumes
Michael Roumes made five total tackles, along with a forced fumble and recovery, which he ripped away from Donovan Pacatte deep in IC territory in the third quarter during Ithaca’s 31-28 Liberty League clinching victory at Union. Roumes also averaged 35.3 yards on three punts in the game.
Football – Special Teams Performer of the Week – Nicholas Bahamonde
Nicholas Bahamonde made four extra points and booted a 35-yard field goal with 11:25 remaining in regulation, which proved to be the different in Ithaca’s 31-28 victory over Union to clinch the Liberty League title.
Men’s Swimming & Diving – Diver of the Week – Connor Gleasman
Reigning Liberty League Diver of the Week Connor Gleasman was victorious on both the 1-meter diving board as well as the 3-meter. He put together a season-best score of 262.40 in the 1-meter event and followed it up with a 269.80 on the 3-meter boards.
Women’s Swimming & Diving – Diver of the Week – Karalyn Pawcio
Reigning Liberty League Diver of the Week Karalyn Pawcio was victorious on both the 1-meter diving board as well as the 3-meter. Pawcio (286.85) won the 3-meter over Abby Marraccino who had a score of 258.55. She went on to win the 3-meter competition with finals score of 261.10, which also bested Marraccino who put together a score of 249.45.
HONOR ROLL
Emily VanderSleen was dominant in the Bombers 215-85 victory over SUNY Cortland. VanderSleen won the 200-yard backstroke as she bested a Red Dragon swimmer with a time of 2:16.88. She was also impressive in the 100-yard butterfly with a season-best time of 1:00.31 as she topped two other Bombers. She also won the 400-yard medley relay with Katie Champagne, Abigail Ignagni, and Josephine Holman teamed up for a time of 4:08.17, which was over four seconds faster than the Red Dragons.
Maddie Cox along with her teammate Ella Graper helped swing the momentum in favor of IC in the Liberty League Championship match against Clarkson as they both entered the match in the third set. Cox ended up totaling 23 assists, five digs, two kills and had a service ace.
Joe Pezzini helped Ithaca’s men’s swimming & diving return to their winning ways with a pair of individual victories as well as contributing to the Bombers 400-yard medley win (3:37.80). Pezzini took home first place in the 100-yard breaststroke touching the final with a time of 1:00.92. He also won the 200-yard event over teammate Bryce Martin (2:18.36) finishing just over five seconds faster with a time of 2:13.32.
