Athletics news, winter 2021
Athletics celebrates Homecoming Weekend
For the Binghamton Athletic Department, the 2021 University Homecoming Weekend was rich in meaning for many different individuals and programs. Such was especially true against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the cancelation of last year’s festivities.
For the swimming & diving program, the weekend began with the sculpture dedication in honor of the late Gregg Wenzel. A 1991 alum and member of the program, he died in 2003 while serving in the CIA. On Friday afternoon, Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger was on hand as a sculpture outside the West Gym was dedicated in Wenzel’s memory. The current Bearcat swimming & diving program was on hand.
Soccer assistant Pacapelli selected for national coaching program
In the midst of helping steer her Binghamton women’s soccer team to the top of the standings this fall, assistant coach Nicole Pacapelli has been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches - the sport’s national organization - for her achievements and potential as a rising member of the coaching profession.
Pacapelli was selected from more than 300 applicants for the USC’s “30 Under 30” program, which was created in 2013 to afford young coaching professionals top-level education and mentorship. Each member of the 30 Under 30 class receives an educational scholarship which provides registrations for the United Soccer Coaches Convention and an Advanced Diploma course of the coach’s choosing. In addition, members of the 30 Under 30 Program are matched with a mentor dedicated to fostering their growth in the game and expanding their coaching network.
Women’s basketball player Bowman named to preseason all-conference team
Junior guard Denai Bowman has been named to the America East Women’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team. It marks the first time in her career that she has received the accolade, which was voted on by the conference head coaches.
After a promising freshman campaign, Bowman broke through during her sophomore year in 2020-21. She was named first-team all-conference and was also chosen to the America East’s All-Defensive Team. In the process, Bowman became the first Binghamton underclassman in 17 years to earn first-team honors.
Former men’s basketball standout Show makes G League roster
Former men’s basketball standout J.C. Show has earned a chance to play in the NBA G League after being selected in the draft. Show, who played for the Bearcats from 2016-19, was taken by Salt Lake City in the third round of Saturday’s virtual draft from New York City.
“I’m grateful to be drafted by Salt Lake City,” Show said. “I look forward to the opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp. It’s been a long road for me to get to this point but I thank God for the lessons He has taught me through this process. I’m excited and ready to work!”
Speaker series for student-athletes features talk on “Building a Championship Mindset”
Amber Selking presented on “Building a Championship Mindset - Resilience and Mental Toughness” in the Benet Alumni Lounge on campus on Monday, Oct. 18. Selking presented virtually to student-athletes gathered in person as well as via Zoom based on their individual schedules. This presentation was part of the Ben G. VanDerLinde ’84 Memorial Bearcat Speaker Series for Student-Athletes.
Selking is a performance consultant and the founder of the Selking Performance Group. She works to emphasize the power of mindset and leadership to drive lasting change in businesses, on athletic teams and in individual lives. She received her PhD in applied sport psychology, with an emphasis in positive psychology and the effect of brain functioning on performance.
Five women’s soccer players honored by America East
After earning the program’s fourth postseason berth in the last five years, Binghamton women’s soccer was well represented in the America East season awards. The conference released their all-conference teams Friday afternoon and Binghamton University garnered five honors — four all-conference and one all-rookie selection.
Named Second Team All-Conference were midfielders Olivia McKnight and Victoria McKnight, defender Nicole Scudero and forward Maya Anand. In addition, forward Peyton Gilmore was selected to the All-Rookie Team. The four all-conference selections was second-most among member schools, behind only regular-season champion Vermont (5).
Mackay and Schaffer sweep cross country titles
At Binghamton University, each Friday is known as Green Day Friday, where staff and students are encouraged to wear green to promote school spirit on campus. On Friday afternoon at New Hampshire, senior Emily Mackay and graduate student Dan Schaffer wore their school colors as they made history at the America East Cross Country Championships.
The Bearcat duo swept the women’s and men’s America East individual cross country titles. It marked the first time since 2001 that the same school won both individual conference titles at the meet.
Mackay won her second straight title. In the process, she becomes just the sixth runner to win multiple cross country titles since the meet was first held in 1988.
Basketball games return to radio
Once again in 2021-22, Binghamton basketball fans across the country can follow the Bearcats all season long on Townsquare Media radio stations. All home and away regular season and playoff games for the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be broadcast live on Townsquare stations WNBF News Radio 1290 and WYOS CBS Sports Radio 1360, the department announced Tuesday.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Townsquare Media and provide our fans, both local and across the country, full audio coverage of all home and away games this season,” Interim Director of Athletics Dennis Kalina said. “With familiar local voices Roger Neel and Jacob Wilkins calling all the action, Bearcat fans can look forward to keeping up with our men’s and women’s basketball teams all season long. Not only will the Townsquare radio stations offer play-by-play throughout the regular season and playoffs, but will also include analysis and behind-the-scenes features and interviews with our student-athletes and coaches. We think fans will really enjoy following our teams and getting inside-the-huddle access.”
Men’s soccer standout Luescher honored by America East
Graduate student midfielder Noah Luescher has been named second-team all-conference by the America East for the 2021 men’s soccer season. He was also chosen to the America East All-Academic Team.
This marks the third straight season Luescher has been named all-conference. He was a second team honoree in 2019 and was selected to the first team last season (2020-21).
Luescher’s appearance on the America East All-Academic Team, meanwhile, was his fourth in a row – something no other Binghamton men’s soccer student-athlete has achieved. In fact, no one else in the program has been named to the America East Academic Team more than twice.
Golf announces pair of recruits
The Binghamton golf program has received a National Letter of Intent from Brandon Conner (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Harrison Blech (Montebello, N.Y.) as part of the early signing period. Both of them will join the program as freshmen next fall.
“We’re very excited for the signing of Harrison Blech and Brandon Conner,” head coach Bernie Herceg said. “They are both very accomplished players with plenty of tournament experience throughout their junior golf careers. This will really have an impact on our team and in making us stronger and competitive towards our future goals.”
Conner, who is a current senior at Madeira High School, tied for third at the 2021 Ohio State Championship and tied for fifth the previous year. He was also the medalist at the Southwest Ohio District Championship. In addition, Conner has recorded five Top-10 finishes in Golfweek Junior Tour Events as well as three Top-10 finishes in Southern Ohio PGA Tour Events.
Blech, who is a current senior at the Golf Performance Academy, has recorded four victories and five other Top 10 finishes in local tournaments. He currently has a 73.9 scoring average in tournament play and in his sophomore year, he led the county with a 34.8 scoring average.
Cross country lands recruit
The Binghamton cross country program has received a National Letter of Intent from Sydney Leitner (Yorktown, N.Y.), a current senior at Yorktown Heights High School. She will join the Bearcat program as a freshman next fall.
During the recent cross country season, Leitner placed 15th overall at the New York State Class A championships. She was also the Westchester County champion as well as the Somers Invitational Big Red champion. Leitner also was first at the Suffern Invitational.
Leitner’s top times are 4:55 in the 1,500, 10:41 in the two mile and 18:31 in the 5,000.
“We are so excited to have Sydney join our team,” head coach Annette Acuff said. “She will make an immediate impact and is a perfect fit for our program. We can’t wait to watch her compete as a Bearcat!”
Two volleyball players honored by America East
Sophomore outside hitter Stefana Stan and senior middle blocker Tyra Wilson have received America East honors, as announced by the conference Thursday morning. After another strong offensive season, Stan was named Second Team All-Conference while Wilson earned her second straight nod to the All-Academic Team.
The duo have had a significant impact on the team, on and off the court.
Men’s lacrosse releases 2022 schedule
The Binghamton men’s lacrosse team has announced its 2022 schedule. Coming off of a 5-4 conference-only spring season in 2021, the Bearcats will look to take advantage of playing 13 games this spring.
The season begins Saturday, February 12 against Marist, followed by another home match against St. Bonaventure on February 19.
Mackay competes at NCAA Cross Country Championship
Graduate student Emily Mackay placed 52nd out of 250 runners at the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning at Apalachee Regional Park. Her time for the 6,000-meter course was 20:08.
With today’s meet, Mackay has now competed in three NCAA Championship Meets during the 2021 calendar year. After placing 14th overall at the 2020-21 cross country meet back in March, she was seventh overall in the 5,000-meter race at the outdoor track & field championships in June.
Softball signs five recruits
The Binghamton softball program has announced the signing of five high school seniors as part of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) early signing period. Each of them will join the Bearcats as freshmen next fall.
Akira Kopec (Kingston, Pa.) is an infielder from Holy Redeemer High School. In her junior season, she hit .469 with an on-base percentage of .623 as well as 26 stolen bases. Kopec has been named to the Wyoming Valley All-Conference Team and was chosen as a PIAA District 2 All-Star. She is member of the National Honor Society and her travel ball team is PA Chaos, coached by Joe Spina.
Kaylin Curro (Oneida, N.Y.) is a utility player from Oneida High School. Her career stats include a .481 batting average, 134 hits and 84 stolen bases. Curro is a two-time New York Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) all-state selection, having been named to the third team in 2019 and the first team in 2021. Also in 2021, she was named the Tri-Valley Player of the Year. Her travel ball team is the Conklin Raiders, coached by Bob Bates.
Emma Lawson (Monroe, N.Y.) is a catcher/infielder from Monroe-Woodbury High School. In 18 games as a junior, she hit .393 with 28 RBI and led her squad to the Section 9 title. Also in 2021, she was a second-team NYSSWA all-state selection. Her travel ball team is the Empire State Huskies National, coached by Joe Porcelli and Penny Roberts. Lawson is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Kendal Leitner (Hatboro, Pa.) is a pitcher from Hatboro-Horsham High School. During the 2021 season, she struck out a school-record 221 batters and posted a 0.89 ERA. Offensively, she hit .378 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI. In both 2019 and 2021, she was named to the Suburban One All-Conference Team as well as the Bucks County Courier All-Star team. Her travel ball team is Rock Gold, coached by Rick Waye.
Finally, Rebecca Minnichbach (Langhorne, Pa.) is an infielder from Villa Joseph Marie High School. She was chosen to the AACA All-Star team in 2021 and helped lead her team to the District 1-4A title. Her travel ball team is Newtown Rock, coached by Ashlee Hutchins. In the summer of 2021, Minnichbach hit .427 for her travel ball team with eight home runs and 29 RBI.
Track and Field signs scholastic standout
The Binghamton track & field program has received a National Letter of Intent (NLI) from Brian Luciano (Lincolndale, N.Y.), a senior at Somers High School. He will join the Bearcats as a freshman next fall.
Luciano is currently ranked third in New York State in the hammer throw and fourth in the weight throw. He holds the Somers school record and is the current Section 1 leader in both events.
Luciano’s top performances are 180-7 ¼ in the hammer, 65-1 in the weight throw, 144-11 in the discus and 47-2 in the shot put.
“Brian will make an immediate impact for us in the hammer and weight throw,” head coach Mike Thompson said. “He has the potential to develop in the discus and shot put as well.”
Binghamton opens the 2021-22 season at the Greg Page Relays next Saturday, Dec. 4.
Change in leadership for volleyball program
Binghamton athletics is changing the leadership of its volleyball program, the department announced on Monday. After 23 seasons at the helm, head coach Glenn Kiriyama has stepped down for personal reasons and the University will begin a national search for a new head coach.
“We appreciate everything Glenn has done for Binghamton volleyball during his long tenure here,” Interim Director of Athletics Dennis Kalina said. “Glenn has always had the best interests of his student-athletes at heart and he has been an exceptional mentor and ambassador for our program.”
Kiriyama has been BU’s coach for its entire 21-year NCAA Division I era and he amassed 288 wins and three NCAA tournament berths. Kiriyama took over the program in 1999 and won back-to-back Division II ECAC titles before ushering the Bearcats into the America East and Division I in 2001. There, his teams compiled 12 postseason trips in a 14-year span, highlighted by conference titles in 2005, 2009 and 2012. Additionally, the Bearcats reached the America East championship match in 2008 and 2017.
Swim teams continue “Pink the Pool” initiative for breast cancer awareness
Binghamton’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) as well as the Bearcat swimming & diving program continued the tradition of hosting a Pink the Pool event during the fall semester.
On Oct. 29, the Bearcats swept Colgate in a dual meet while raising awareness for breast cancer research. The Saunders Aquatic Center was decked in pink and the SAAC E-Board had a table outside the entrance with information as well as pink ribbons.
Women’s soccer defender Scudero named all-region
Women’s soccer senior defender Nicole Scudero has been selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team, the association announced Tuesday. Scudero was selected to the Atlantic Region third team, joining players from ACC schools and national contenders Florida State, Duke, Virginia and Notre Dame among others.
A two-time all-conference selection, Scudero was a mainstay at central back for a Bearcats defense that totalled seven shutouts and kept opponents to less than a goal per game (0.84). It was the second-rated defense in the America East. Scudero also pushed forward on set pieces and added a pair of goals, including a game-winner.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee collects food for charity
The #AEFoodFrenzy initiative is an America East conference-wide community service initiative organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at each of the 10 member institutions. It is designed to provide cans and non-perishable items to charities in campus communities.
This fall, the Binghamton University Athletic Department donated over 1,900 non-perishable items to the Binghamton University Food Pantry on campus. Leading the efforts was Binghamton’s SAAC.
“Food insecurity is an ongoing problem that effects everyone. We had a great turnout this year with our can collection.” said Stefania Piantadosi, Binghamton SAAC E-board member and women’s soccer senior. “As a group, being able to collect these cans and help those not as fortunate as others to put food on the table is amazing.”
Women’s lacrosse releases 2022 schedule
The Binghamton University women’s lacrosse team has released its 2022 schedule, which begins on the road against Syracuse on Sunday, February 13. The 16-game slate includes nine contests at the Bearcats Sports Complex and includes matchups against competition from several strong conferences in the northeast.
Following the season opener against the Orange, the Bearcats will play host nine times over the course of the regular season, including five non-conference opponents in Cornell (Feb. 22), Lafayette (Mar. 2), Marist (Mar. 5), Canisius (Mar. 9) and Quinnipiac (Mar. 19).
Binghamton will look to build on victories over Quinnipiac and Lafayette in 2020, and to avenge defeats at the hands of Cornell and Marist.
Men’s soccer midfielder Luescher named all-region
Graduate student midfielder Noah Luescher has been named second-team All-Northeast Region by the United Soccer Coaches (USC) for the 2021 season. It marks the first time in his illustrious career that he has earned the honor.
Luescher, who was named second-team America East All-Conference earlier in the fall, finished the 2021 season with three goals and three assists. He was also named to the America East All-Academic Team for the fourth straight season.
Baseball 2022 schedule released
Binghamton baseball will embark on a special 2022 season that features a game against the reigning NCAA champions and the christening of the program’s new stadium complex, set to open in March.
Head coach Tim Sinicki enters his 30th year at the helm — the seventh-longest current tenure (same school) in NCAA Division I baseball. His team will face a 51-game slate comprised of 32 road games and 19 home games set at the team’s new state-of-the-art facility.
Hall of Fame adds two induction classes
Binghamton University Athletics held its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday following the men’s basketball game and more than 150 guests celebrated the Induction Classes of 2020 and 2021.
The 25th Annual Ceremony featured a total of six individuals and two teams that will join the more than 100 current members. The 2020 class comprises wrestler Dave Berry ’74, soccer coach Hristos Dimitriou, soccer player Meghan Taylor ’06 and the 1961-62 men’s basketball team. Their accomplishments can be found here.
The Class of 2021 comprises wrestler Justin Lister ’12, softball player Jami Pier ’00, cross country/track runner Erik van Ingen ’12 and the 1995 softball team. Their accomplishments can be found here.