Category: Bison Athlete of the Week

Lauren Boone

Sports Editor

To say that Michael McGowan ’15, a runner on the men’s cross-country team, has had a stellar season thus far would be an understatement.

McGowan has lead the herd in both of the cross-country events so far this fall season. In the first competition, McGowan took first place at the Bison Open. On Sept. 13, at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational at Penn State, McGowan claimed second place, running the 5.2-mile course in 26:03. He was a mere 13 seconds shy of a first-place finish.

Following his all-star performances, McGowan was named Bison Athlete of the Week and also received an Honorable Mention for the Patriot League Runner of the Week.

“I was happy with my performance against a strong PSU team and a decent field,” McGowan said. “I thought I gave [Robby] Creese of PSU a good run for his money considering he is a sub four-minute miler, and he ran at the U.S. Track and Field Championships this summer. I still think I have a lot to improve on, though.”

Looking forward to the rest of the fall season, it is safe to say that we can only expect the best from McGowan. 

Bison Profile

Class: Junior

Hometown: Wynnewood, Pa.

High School: Lower Merion

Major: Economics

Season Stats

First meet (Bison Open): First-place finish (14:42)

Second meet (Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational): Second-place finish (26:03)

Lauren Boone

Sports Editor

Imagine this: you are sitting in the stands at the Navy Invite watching the men’s water polo team compete against Notre Dame (Ohio) in the squad’s season-opening match. The Bison have been fighting hard in this nail-biting game, and they are tied 14-14, with only seconds left on the clock. Just when you think all hope is lost, a Bison breaks through, scoring the winning goal.

This is not the first time that Stefan Aleksic ’16 has made a clutch play. In fact, despite his sophomore status, he is one of the squad’s strongest players.

Aleksic had a monster rookie season. He was one of only three Bison, and the only non-senior, to start all 31 games of the season. He led his squad in almost every category possible: assists (50), points (101), steals (44), and field blocks (30). He was also third in goals (51). He netted at least one goal for the Bison in 26 games, with 14 multiple-goal matches. After posting six goals, three assists, seven steals, and seven field blocks in just three games at the Eastern Championship, he was selected as the Rookie of the Tournament.

Aleksic was an accomplished athlete in high school, as well. As a member of his native Serbian National Team, he competed in several championships and world cups. He was also a 10-year member and starter for WC Partizan in Belgrade, assisting them to win tournaments in numerous countries such as Croatia, Greece, and Hungary, among others.

Keep an eye on this Bison athlete this season, as he is off to a strong start.

Player Profile

Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia

Position: RAT

Major: Computer Science & Engineering

Season Stats

Games started / total number of games: 3/3

Goals: 3

Assists: 6

Points: 9

Lauren Boone

Sports Editor

Although the season has just begun, defender Mayowa Alli ’14 is starting off his senior year with a bang. Following his selection as one of three team captains, Alli was chosen to be on the Men’s Soccer 2013 Preseason All-Patriot League Team.

Alli had a stunning 2011 season. As a sophomore, he started every game as left back. Furthermore, he scored seven goals and 16 points, leading his squad and ranking second in the Patriot League for both categories that season. These statistics earned him a reputation as a tough, athletic defender who was key to finishing set plays. He was honored with a selection to First Team All-Patriot League and Second Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region.

Alli’s momentum continued into the 2012 season. He was named to the Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Patriot League Team in 2012, as well. In 15 games, Alli posted two goals and one assist as a defender before a shoulder injury ended his season early. As a result, Alli missed the last five games of the regular season.

“My selection to the Men’s Soccer Pre-Season All-Patriot League Team was a pleasant surprise considering the fact that I had been injured for a large portion of the season last fall. However, putting it into perspective, it doesn’t mean much if I don’t perform and help my team become successful,” Alli said.

Clearly, Alli has his team’s success as his first priority. The squad ranks sixth in the now 10-team league. Despite the challenging schedule, Alli and his team have high hopes and goals for the upcoming season.

“Looking into the season I truly believe we have a strong team and have the ability to surprise a lot of teams who are overlooking us on their schedule. We haven’t won the Patriot League title since my freshman year, and it’s evident that the team has high expectations for the year. Personally, my goal coming into the season is to stay healthy and lead my team through a strong season,” Alli said.

Bison Profile

Hometown: Lanham, Md.

High School: Bishop McNamara

Height/Weight: 6-0/190

Position: Defender

 

Stats

2011 Season

Games: 18

Goals: 7

 

2012 Season

Games: 15

Goals: 2

 

Andrew Arnao

Sports Editor

Leonard “Lenny” Joseph ’13 has worked hard for a long time, and thanks to his dedication and perseverance, a school record is now his. Joseph was one of two Bison men last weekend to set new school records at the Bison Outdoor Classic, as he threw the hammer for 209-11, shattering the previous mark that had stood for 17 years. Joseph was also the only thrower in his event to clear 200 feet, allowing him to easily win gold.

Joseph has had a great year for the Bison in both indoor and outdoor field events. In 2012, he registered a distance of 157-10 in the discus, good for seventh-best in school history. A couple of months ago, Joseph moved into the second place all-time in the weight throw with a distance of 65-0 3/4, which is second-best all time and just 10 inches behind the current record holder Tyler Hoffman ’07.

But the hammer throw has become Joseph’s crowning event. He has yet to be defeated in the event this spring, claiming two gold medals in both meets he has participated in. Both of his distances have already qualified him for the IC4A Championships in May.

Other recent honors for Joseph include being named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team along with fellow record-breaker Luke Webster ’13 following the indoor track and field season. Joseph also earned All-East honors after earning first place in the weight throw at the IC4A championships in March.

“The first couple meets have given me a solid start and a pretty competitive national ranking, and that I’m looking forward to the championship portion of the season,” Joseph said. “Also, I’m very optimistic about [Webster’s] chances in the discus going into the national meet.”

Joseph is nearing the end of his career as a Bison, but he has certainly left his mark. He has won three individual Patriot League Championships, including back-to-back victories in the hammer throw and a top finish in the weight throw last year. Considering his dominance in the hammer event, expect more awards to come Joseph’s way by the end of the spring season.

 

Hometown: Whitesboro, N.Y.

Major: Psychology

Best hammer throw distance: 209-11 (school record)

Best weight throw distance: 65-0 3/4 (second all-time)

Best discus distance: 157-10 (seventh all-time)

Goalie Kyle Feeney ’13 has been an integral part of the men’s lacrosse team’s successful season. Already eighth all-time on the school’s career saves list, Feeney’s continued excellence defending the net has played a big part in the Bison’s current 9-2 record this season. In January, Feeney was selected in the eighth round of Major League Lacrosse’s Collegiate Draft by the Charlotte Hounds, one of two goalies and seven Patriot League players overall that were selected.

Feeney is putting the finishing touches on a fantastic career as a Bison. He was a second-team All-Patriot League selection in 2011, the same year he set a school record with 13 wins. During that season, Feeney was in goal for every game as the Orange and the Blue charged towards an eventual Patriot League Championship, and he excelled in the playoffs by recording 17 saves while allowing only eight goals.

During his junior year last season, Feeney was a first-team All-Patriot League selection, and he recorded a career high 169 saves.

Feeney’s stiff goaltending has made a direct impact on several outcomes this season. His 11 saves in the season opener against Delaware helped protect the team’s eventual 9-8 win, including stopping a Delaware charge with 20 seconds remaining. Feeney also had three saves in the final 66 seconds of a game against Bryant to preserve the Bison’s 10-8 victory. Finally, Feeney’s six saves proved vital for the Orange and Blue’s 9-8 upset of No. 2 Cornell.

Feeney’s success will hopefully aid the Bison in their quest for another Patriot League Championship. Come out and see Feeney and the rest of the men’s lacrosse team play their final home game against Lehigh next Friday.

 

Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.

Major: Civil Engineering

Win-loss record (this season): 9-2

Win-loss record (career): 28-16

Number of saves (this season): 90

Numbers of saves (career): 426

Save % (this season): .520

Save % (career): .555

Goals allowed per game (this season): 7.90

Goals allowed per game (career): 7.83

 Andrew Arnao

Sports Editor

Paul Petrov ’16 has only been a member of the men’s wrestling team for a short time, yet the 133-pounder has made a positive impact on his way to a breakout season. He has an overall record of 16-10, but has been on a tear recently, going 7-2 in his last nine matches.

Petrov first opened eyes when he started off his collegiate career with three straight wins, including a 14-1 major decision and a 18-8 major decision. Petrov would later increase this hot streak to an 8-2 record, before hitting a rough patch in December with four straight losses to close out the year.

Looking to start 2013 on a positive note, Petrov recorded an 18-3 technical fall over Michigan State’s Christian Olanowski. After losing two more bouts, Petrov began his current 7-2 win streak, which included his first collegiate pin against Columbia’s Andrew  Grabfelder. Petrov also recorded three major decisions during this span.

With an injury to 125-pound wrestler Austin Miller ’15, Petrov will be depended upon for the remainder of the season to give the Bison a strong start to their matches. Look to see if Petrov is up to the challenge Friday and Saturday as the men’s wrestling team faces Clarion and American in two matches on the road.

Hometown: Cedar Lake, Ind.

Major: Undeclared

Weight Class: 125/133

Overall record: 16-10

Dual record: 9-8

Tournament record: 7-2

Biggest decision: Pin (4:08) against Columbia

 

 Andrew Arnao

Sports Editor

Sasha Hornock ’13 was part of a spectacular day for the Bison last weekend, when two school records were broken and the women’s track and field team won by a mere 0.16 points. For Hornock, who broke the tie for the best 60 meter dash time in Bison history, it was just another day of putting her name in the record books.

Hornock has been blazing around the track for the past three years as a Bison and has records in the top 10 for the 60 meter, 100 meter, 200 meter, long jump and various relays. The 60 meter event is where Hornock has thrived. During prelims of a meet last season, Hornock tied a school record with a time of 7.75 seconds. It took almost a year, but she finally moved into sole possession of the Bison record when she ran for 7.74 seconds during the Youngstown State Invitational last weekend.

In addition to garnering six points on her record-breaking finish, Hornock also garnered one point with her eighth place finish in the 200 meter, while finishing .04 seconds ahead of the next competitor. This extra point proved to be crucial, as the Bison managed to win the meet with 150.16 points, just ahead of Duquesne.

In addition to her achievements this year, Hornock has been successful for most of her tenure as a Bison. She was voted Player of the Year in 2009, and last year she was chosen for the Academic All-Patriot League Team for both indoor and outdoor track and field. Her performance so far this season indicates that her accolades will only continue as she finishes her final year.

Hornock and the rest of the women’s track and field team will return to action Saturday for the Bucknell Winter Classic.

Hometown: Dover, Pa.

Major: Biology

Top 60 m dash time: 7.74 seconds (all-time school record)

Top 100 m dash time: 12.25 seconds

Top 200 m dash time: 25.22 seconds

Top Long Jump: 18-4.75