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John Porter Luksic has been a standout performer on the men’s swim team ever since he stepped onto the Widener University campus, and this season is no exception.
Luksic, from Shavertown and a Dallas graduate, is not only the top breaststroke performer for the Pride, he’s one of the top swimmers in that event in the Middle Atlantic Conference.
Luksic earned third-team honors in the MAC in the 200 breaststroke the past two seasons after being an honorable mention in that event as a freshman. He was also a member of the team’s 400 medley relay team that earned second team MAC honors last season.
And, according to coach Mark Yankovich, Luksic is a key for the team in another area.
“Porter is and continues to be a strong leader for our program,” the coach said. “Over this season I have watched him take teammates aside and help them improve their technique and training.”
The coach said that Luksic leads by example as well.
“Porter plans out his strategy prior to a race and never backs down to his opponents,” Yankovich said. “The team’s success stems from Porter and his ability to work with others and encourage the younger players to take the next step.”
Luksic currently ranks third in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.8) and third in the 200 breaststroke (2:10.27). And the 400 medley relay is ranked second (3:34.73).
Steve Newell (Davidson)
The true freshman is off to a solid start with the wrestling team. The Dallas graduate opened the season by posting a 2-1 record to finish fourth at 174 pounds at the Southeast Open on Nov. 3 in Roanoke, Va. Newell posted a pin (3:31) and a major decision (11-2) before dropping the third place match.
He’s 3-3 in dual matches and posted a pin in 2:29 in a 24-18 victory over Long Island University in a non-league home match last Saturday.
Jordan Olenginski (St. Joseph’s)
The junior had a breakout season with the field hockey team and she was awarded by recently being named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Region second team. The Crestwood graduate finished second in the Atlantic-10 Conference in goals with 11 and fourth in points with 25.
She had the only goal as the Hawks captured their third straight league title with a 1-0 victory over Richmond on Nov. 9. St. Joseph’s finished 17-4 on the season.
Peyton McNulty (Vermont)
The freshman opened her career with the women’s swim team with a solid performance in a season-opening home dual meet on Sept. 21. McNulty, from Pittston and a Scranton Prep graduate, finished third in the 50 breaststroke in 32.85. She was the first Vermont swimmer to touch the wall. She also finished third in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:00.87.
Ryan Monk (North Carolina-Pembroke)
The redshirt junior has moved into the starting lineup at 285 pounds in dual meets for the wrestling team, which is ranked 12th in Division II. The Dallas graduate is 2-0 after picking up victories last weekend. Monk took a 2-0 decision in a 33-6 victory over Belmont Abbey and posted a 10-3 decision in a 20-15 triumph over Queens.
Monk is in his first season with the Braves after starting his college career as a defensive lineman for Penn State football.
Lydia Lawson (Elizabethtown)
The senior standout has found different ways to help the women’s basketball team. The Holy Redeemer graduate had just seven points but picked up 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals in an 80-76 loss to King’s last Wednesday. She then scored eight points but had a career-high 13 assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 72-60 triumph over Moravian last Saturday.
On the season, Lawson is averaging 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds and leads the 5-2 Blue Jays with 40 assists and 23 steals.
Stanley Zaneski (Ithaca)
The junior played a big part as the men’s swim team finished third out of 10 teams in its Bomber Invitational last weekend in Ithaca, N.Y. Zaneski, from Edwardsville and a Wyoming Seminary graduate, finished third in the 100 freestyle (46.57) and ninth in the 200 freestyle (1:43.46).
He swam the leadoff leg on the 200 free relay which finished second (1:26.18) and the 400 free relay which finished fifth (3:11.13). He also anchored the 400 medley relay which finished third (3:30.52) and the 200 medley relay which finished fourth (1:35.98).
Kade Kravits (King’s)
The sophomore is having a solid season with the wrestling team. The Dallas graduate, competing at 165 pounds, posted a 5-2 record at the Roger Williams Invitational on Nov. 16 in Bristol, R.I.
He followed that up by going 4-3 at Messiah’s Petrofes Invitational last weekend. He was beaten in the first round but had three pins and a forfeit victory in the consolation round before losing in the consolation quarterfinals.
Kravits is 13-6 on the season with six pins.
Isabella Schwabe (Susquehanna)
The 6-foot-1 freshman had the best game of her college career to help the women’s basketball team open its Landmark Conference schedule with a 78-69 victory over Juniata last Saturday. Schwabe, from Hazleton and a Marian Catholic graduate, had 12 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes of action off the bench.
On the season, she has played in six games in reserve and has a 3.5 scoring average and 2.2 rebounds a game for the 6-1 River Hawks.
Shane Noonan (Edinboro)
The true freshman is competing as a heavyweight in open meets for the wrestling team. The Hazleton Area graduate posted a 2-2 record at the Findlay Open on Nov. 16 and came back to post a 2-2 record in Lake Erie’s Storm Open on Nov. 24.
On the season, Noonan is 5-8 with a pin and a major decision. He is expected to be redshirted this season.
Gianna Roberts (Wilkes)
The senior, a Nanticoke Area graduate, was named MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Week and junior Maddie Kelley, a Dallas graduate, was selected as the league’s Defensive Player of the Week in women’s basketball on Monday.
Roberts had 23 points and nine rebounds in a 73-71 victory over Gwynedd Mercy last Wednesday and 15 points and five rebounds in a 65-49 triumph over Pratt last Saturday.
Kelley had 13 points and four rebounds against Gwynedd Mercy and a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Pratt.