Golden Paws honors excellence in TU Athletics
Student-athletes were recognized for success in athletics, community service and the classroom
By Towson University Athletics on May 8, 2018
Jack Saunderson of the men's swimming and diving team and Kendyl Scott of the softball team were honored as the Towson University Athletes of the Year at
the Golden Paws banquet held on Monday night in SECU Arena.
This event is part of Towson University's second annual “Celebration of Excellence,”
which is a series of events in April and May that recognize and celebrate the many
achievements of its students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The Golden Paws, which highlighted the successes and triumphs of the 2017-18 athletic
year, was hosted by women's basketball senior Daijha Thomas, women's soccer junior Alexis Toles, football junior Diondre Wallace and women's track and field junior Jaina McLean.
Saunderson was dominant in becoming the CAA's first repeat winner as Swimmer of the
Year since 2012 and the eighth in conference history to win consecutive Swimmer of
the Year honors. He made his second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Division I
Men's Swimming Championship and earned a pair of Honorable Mention All-America honors
after setting new all-time CAA records in both the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard
butterfly.
At the 2018 CAA Championship, Saunderson secured the most individual points of any
male swimmer with 60 points, sweeping both the 100 (45.75 seconds) and 200 fly (1:41.69)
events while also earning gold in the 200 IM (1:45.76). He set the program, conference
meet and conference all-time marks for each event. Saunderson is a three-time Honorable
Mention All-America selection and has won 15 medals at the CAA championship, including
six gold, five silver and four bronze.
Scott helped TU enjoy a memorable regular season in which it set school records for
wins, runs, hits, doubles and total bases, and the team is back in the CAA Tournament
for the first time since 2016.
Scott set a Towson single-season program record with 84 hits. She is the Tigers all-time
career leader in runs with 158 and hits with 247. Scott is second in the NCAA in hits,
fourth in batting average, and fifth in total bases. She's sixth in doubles, ninth
in doubles per game, 10th in toughest to strikeout, and 30th in slugging percentage.
The senior career achievements awards went to Mike Morsell of the men's basketball team and Megan Kelly of the women's track and field team. The award recognizes student-athletes for outstanding
achievements throughout their four years at Towson.
Morsell finished his Towson career ranked seventh in program history with 1,523 points.
He also ended his career ranked second in 3-point field goal attempts (459), third
in 3-pointers made (150), fourth in starts (103) fifth in made free throws (335),
sixth in free throw attempts (457) and sixth in program history in field goal attempts
(1,218). One of seven players in program history to score over 1,500 career points
and one of five players in program history to start at least 100 games.
A five-time CAA Women's Track Athlete of the Week winner, Kelly helped the Tigers
win their first conference championship as a junior. She's a two-time CAA champion
in the 400-meter hurdles. Kelly, who was also named the 2017 Towson Female Athlete
of the Year, currently owns the outdoor school record in the 400 meters and is a member
of the 4x400-meter relay team that holds the fastest time in school history. She is
also a member of the indoor 4x400-meter relay team that holds the fastest time in
school history.
Will Canny of the men's swimming and diving team and Kaitlin Thornton of women's lacrosse were selected as the Tiger Rookies of the Year. The award is
given to a freshman that had an outstanding first season and positively impacted their
team.
Canny was the second Tiger, and first since 2007, to win CAA Rookie Diver of the
Year. He won the bronze medal and earned All-CAA honors on the three-meter board at
the CAA Championship. Canny totaled a career-high 294.14 on the three-meter to place
first against Delaware on January 20 and posted a career-best 268.20 on the one-meter
to place second at Georgetown on October 14.
In helping the Tigers qualify for the NCAA Tournament, Thornton was named to the
CAA All-Rookie Team. She scored 26 goals, handed out 14 assists, and totaled 40 points
in 18 games this season. She was also named Inside Lacrosse Women's National Rookie
of the Week, and CAA Rookie of the Week.
Honored for their work in the classroom, as well as athletically, Zane Ventimiglia from the football team and Lauren Cahalan of women's gymnastics were named Senior Scholar Athletes of the Year. The scholar
athlete award was voted on by the Towson University athletic advisors.
The strength and conditioning staff selected Ventimiglia and Kelly as their Strength and Conditioning award winners. The sports medicine department
named Dirk Masters from the baseball team and Gabriella Yarussi from gymnastics as the Comeback Players of the Year.
The Community Service award was given to Adam Ceribelli of men's lacrosse and Cahalan. The award is given to a student-athlete that demonstrates
commitment to community service, involvement and general positivity in support of
Towson Athletics.
Richie Palacios' walk-off grand slam to beat Hofstra and Peyton Windell's ace with a torn anterior
cruciate ligament on senior day against Delaware were selected as the Best Moments.
The Best Moment is given to a student-athlete or team for the best moment/play of
the year.
Saunderson and the Towson softball team were the winners for Best Record Breaking
Achievement. Saunderson was recognized after his record setting junior year. The softball
team won a school record 40 games and opened the season with a 19-3 record, the best
start in program history.
Men's lacrosse and volleyball were the recipients of the Bobbi Madison award for
highest increase in GPA from fall 2015 to fall 2016. Men's golf and women's cross-country
were given the Wayne Edwards award for the highest GPA after the fall semester.
The following continue TU’s Celebration of Excellence:
- Service Awards Breakfast and Ceremony | May 9 | 9–11:30 a.m. | SECU Arena | By invitation only
- Foundation Scholars Luncheon | May 11 | noon–2 p.m. | Chesapeake Rooms, University Union | By invitation only
- Distinguished Alumni and Dean’s Recognition Awards Ceremony | May 24 | 6:30–9 p.m. | Chesapeake Rooms, University Union | Ticketed event