WEST BABYLON, N.Y. (June 25, 2024) – Mercy University volleyball senior Larissa Schneid (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Iowa Western CC), softball graduate student Samantha Franck (La Habra Heights, Calif./La Habra), women's lacrosse junior Lindsey Shimborske (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), men's lacrosse senior Tyler Pjatak (Shelton, Conn./Shelton), men's basketball graduate student Garrett Kirkland (Springdale, Md./Bishop McNamara) and men's soccer sophomore Johannes Hanken Tjostheim (Aalesund, Norway/Spring Hill College) have been named ECC Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their respective sports. The six scholar-athletes of the year are the most out of any ECC school.
All ECC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients hold at least a 3.30 GPA, are a starter or key reserve and have reached at least sophomore standing both athletically and academically.
Schneid is named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year for volleyball for the second straight year. The senior graduated last month with a 4.0 GPA as a Biomedical Science major. The outside hitter was named ECC Player of the Year and First Team All-ECC in 2023. Schneid was also named AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention and D2CCA Second Team All-Region. The CSC Third Team Academic All-American had 318 kills, 252 digs and 26 aces in 24 matches. Schneid helped lead the Mavericks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005 and first NCAA Tournament win since 2001. Schneid recently was named Commencement speaker at Mercy's School of Health and Natural Sciences ceremony.
Franck earns Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for the first time. She was named Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year with Molloy's Steph Conrade. The graduate student graduated with a 4.0 GPA as an Organizational Leadership major last month. The first baseman was named D2CCA Second Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC. Franck was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and hit .331 with 41 hits, 30 runs, nine doubles, 18 home runs and 38 RBI. She led the team in home runs and RBI, setting a single-season school record for home runs.
Shimborske takes home Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for the second straight year. The junior has a 3.98 GPA as a Health Science – Physical Therapy major. The defender was named IWLCA First Team All-American, USA Lacrosse Magazine Second Team All-American, IWLCA First Team All-Region, ECC Defender of the Year and First Team All-ECC. Shimborske appeared in and started in 18 games with 58 ground balls, 41 caused turnovers, 114 draw controls and two goals. She led the team in ground balls, caused turnovers and draw controls.
Pjatak receives Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the first time. The senior graduated with a 3.84 GPA last month as a Business Administration – Finance major. Pjatak was named USILA Second Team All-American, USILA First Team All-Region, USA Lacrosse Magazine Third Team All-American and Second Team All-ECC. Pjatak started all 16 games and had five goals, three assists, 57 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers. He ranked second on the team in ground balls and caused turnovers and helped lead the Mavericks to their fifth straight ECC Championship and fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.
Kirkland is named Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's basketball for the second straight year. The graduate student has a 4.0 GPA as an Organizational Leadership major. The guard was named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and appeared in all 26 games making 17 starts. He averaged 9.9 points per game and led the team with 71 three-pointers. Kirkland set a school record for career three-pointers and career games played and set a single-season school record for three-pointers made.
Hanken Tjostheim earns Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors following his first year as a Maverick. The sophomore has a 3.93 GPA as a Psychology major. The forward was named College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region, D2CCA Second Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC. Hanken Tjostheim appeared in 16 games making 14 starts, finishing with 13 goals, four assists, 30 points and four game-winning goals. He led the team in goals, points and game-winning goals. Hanken Tjostheim tied for the ECC lead in goals and ranked third in the ECC in points.
