Athletic Accomplishments
sportsscan
BY DAN TELISKI ’97, director of athletic media relations and BRIAN VAIL, graduate assistant
The Gannon basketball teams might have received the most media attention, but the entire Gannon athletic department flourished during the 2008-09 winter season, securing championships and raising the bar for future student-athletes. Women’s Basketball
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The Gannon women’s basketball team in 2008-09 produced one of the best seasons in the program’s 35-year history. The Lady
Knights tied the school record for victories (26) in a season and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history. Additionally, the squad won four games against nationally-ranked opponents and were ranked among the nation’s top 25 twice.
team. Nolan averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, ending the season with at least one three-pointer in 32 consecutive games. Tabron produced 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She recorded 10 double-doubles, accomplishing the feat in three of Gannon’s four post-season contests.
Junior Kristina Freeman was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Atlantic Region and All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division first teams after averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game. Fellow juniors Carrie Nolan and Brittany Tabron were selected to the All-PSAC West second
Women’s and Men’s Swimming The 2008-09 season was
Thirty victories. One thousand career points. Elite Eight championship play. It was a season of significant figures and astonishing statistics for Gannon’s men’s basketball team. The Golden Knights set the school record for victories (30) and took the program’s fifth trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, where senior forward Tyler Stoczynski became the 25th player in school history to score 1,000 career points. “They have a lot to be proud of because it truly was an outstanding season,” said Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.,
filled with new beginnings for the Gannon swimming and diving teams. With a new head coach and a new conference, the Golden Knights produced one of the best campaigns in school history. First-year coach Nate Walters directed the men and
president. “The men’s and women’s basketball teams combined for the highest winning percentage in the country (.862). That’s a great accomplishment by the studentathletes and coaches.” Gannon, ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II, concluded its season at 30-4 following an 86-77 loss to Central Missouri State on March 25. The Golden Knights ended the 2008-09 campaign with the best winning percentage (.882) in school history. The squad won at least 26 games in consecutive seasons for the first time ever and posted a 56-9 record over the last two campaigns. “The unselfishness of the players really stood out; their goals were always about the team. They’re good friends and have made some lifelong friendships, and a close team is that much harder to beat,” said John Reilly ’89M, head coach. Stoczynski said he’d remember his teammates