A Look Back at Ramapo Athletics – Spring and Fall 2022

Winter 2023

The Ramapo College Department of Athletics saw much success for the Roadrunners in 2022. More than 50 Roadrunners received postseason accolades for their outstanding performances not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. Numerous individual NJAC Champions were crowned and six teams earned seedings in postseason NJAC Championship Tournaments, while members of the Ramapo Outdoor Track & Field teams represented the college on the National Stage at the 2022 Outdoor Track & Field NCAA Championship meet. The department watched as 56 senior student-athletes crossed the stage at the Prudential Center in May, wrapping up their collegiate athletic and academic careers and joining the alumni family. Once a Roadrunner, always a Roadrunner!

Outdoor Track & Field

The men’s track & field team had a successful season with individuals breaking national, college and personal records.  Most notably, senior Cheickna Traore was named the Thomas M. Gerrity Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year following the NJAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships; where he won the 100-meter and 200-meter races. He was also named NJAC First Team All-Conference in both events. Steven Fiumefreddo defended his 5K title and also earned NJAC First Team All-Conference while Alec Mabie earned NJAC Second Team All-Conference when he posted a personal best in the 110-hurdles, finishing 2nd overall. Matt Cortez also earned NJAC Second Team All-Conference when he finished 2nd in the 800-meter race. With a 3rd place finish, Chris Andersen earned NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference for his efforts in the 1,500-meter race. He clocked in with a personal best 3:56.89, which is fourth all-time at Ramapo. The 4×400-meter relay team earned NJAC Second Team All-Conference after finishing 2nd overall at the NJAC Championships. Cortez, along with Kenyon Fenderson, Traore, and Max Dubac comprised the team.

The women also saw individual success as Lindsay McNeill (5k) and Delilah Cruz (100-meter hurdles) were crowned NJAC Champions in their respective events while also being named NJAC First Team All-Conference. Gbarper Dwah ran the 100-meter dash at the NJAC Outdoor Championships where she placed 3rd and earned NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference. The 4x100m relay team (Cruz, Meredith Yaskovic, Rebecca Kneppel, and Dwah) finished in 2nd place overall to earn NJAC Second Team All-Conference.

Traore was named U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Metro Region Outdoor Athlete of the Year (USTFCCCA). Him (400-meter dash), along with  teammate Steven Fiumefreddo (10K), were crowned All-Atlantic Region Champions in their respective events while seven (Traore, Fenderson, Dubac, Cortez, Chris Andersen, Steven Fiumefreddo and Alec Mabie) members of the team were named to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field All-Region team.

At the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Traore became a three-time NCAA All-American when he captured two 2nd place finishes at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. Traore clocked in with times of 46.54 seconds in the 400-meter dash and 20.56 seconds in the 200-meter dash breaking his own outdoor school records while his time in the 200-meter race was the second-fastest time in NCAA Division III history. Traore now holds all three outdoor sprint records at Ramapo College in the 100, 200 and 400-meter races.  The women’s 4×100-meter relay team posted a combined time of 47.16 seconds in their first showing on the national stage. This was their second-best time of the season as they finished in 14th place overall. The team was made up of Cruz, Yaskovic, Kneppel, and anchored by Dwah.

Baseball

The Roadrunner baseball team wrapped up the 2022 season with a key victory in their final game of the season, a 14-8 win over TCNJ. The Roadrunners earned their 20th NJAC Tournament berth in program history with the #6 seed. This was also the seventh straight tournament appearance for the Roadrunners and third under head coach Ryan Rinsky. Ramapo won a thrilling late-game comeback in the opening game of the tournament over #1 Rowan where they won, 16-13. The Roadrunners fell in their next game before coming back to defeat #2 Montclair State.  They would later be knocked out of tournament play by the #3 seeded Pioneers of William Paterson in the double elimination tournament. Brian Baranok was named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III Region 4 All-Region Third Team and NJAC Second Team All-Conference, while Sean Donaghue was tabbed NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Women’s Lacrosse

The 2022 women’s lacrosse team, led by first-year head coach Nicole Barbella, recorded two wins during the season. Barbella earned her first collegiate coaching victory over Centenary University on March 23rd, with a 19-3 win at home. The Roadrunners second win came in a thrilling overtime victory over NJAC rival Rutgers-Camden, 13-12 on April 23rd. For their efforts on the field and in the classroom, Brianna Curto and Katie Riva earned a spot on the International Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Honor Roll.

Men’s Tennis

The men’s tennis team wrapped up the 2021-2022 season with an 8-5 overall record. Siddharth Byreddy was named NJAC East Division Rookie of the Year. He also earned NJAC First Team All-Conference honors as he led Ramapo in NJAC East Division play, where he played at the number one spot, taking on the NJAC East Division Player of the Year, Justin Wain (TCNJ) to three sets and the 2021 NJAC Player of the Year, Nico Teynie (NJCU) to three sets. Byreddy earned NJAC Rookie of the Week twice last season and also earned NJAC Player of the Week honors. 

Women’s Tennis (2021-2022 & Fall 2022)

The Roadrunners recorded four wins during the 2021-2022 season including a NJAC conference win over William Paterson, 7-2. Individually, Melanie Brentnall and Kassie Britt each collected seven wins in singles play. After a 2022 Fall season, the Roadrunners stand 3-2 overall and will continue play during the warmer months this upcoming Spring season.

Men’s Soccer

The Roadrunner men’s soccer team earned the number two seed in the NJAC Tournament after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll. The Roadrunners finished the regular season with a 5-2-2 conference record to finish second in the league. Head Coach DJ Pinton was named NJAC Coach of the Year, the third time he’s earned this honor in his coaching career. Osbin Mendez was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV Second Team while also being tabbed as the NJAC Defensive Player of the Year with NJAC First Team All-Conference honors. Damian Zurawski was also named to the NJAC First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV Third Team, while Dorant Bokshi, Ederson La Torre and Jake Szatkowski were named NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference. The team also earned the #1 seed in pod two of the ECAC Championship Tournament, their 14th tournament appearance in program history. For their efforts in the classroom, Nebi Ademi and Juan Uribe each earned Academic All-District, which are selected by the College Sports Communicators. 

Women’s Soccer

The Ramapo women’s soccer team recorded five wins during the 2022 season, including three shutout victories over Sarah Lawrence, Neumann and NJAC rival William Paterson. Carla Goodwin was named NJAC Second Team All-Conference and Emma Conlon earned NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference. For their efforts in both the classroom and on the field, Ashley Agrillo, Jessica Guccione, Sam Ingannamorte, Shayna Kenduck and Lauren Vladyka were each named to the Academic All-District team, which is selected by the College Sports Communicators. 

Men’s Cross Country

Men’s cross country placed 4th overall at the NJAC Men’s Cross Country Championships where they posted 112 team points in the 8k race. Ian McCauley placed first for the Roadrunners and 15th overall, while Ryan Pena finished right behind him in 17th place. Jason Mercado finished third for the team with a time of 26:56.8 and Mohamed Nidaazzi posted a time of 27:10.7 to finish fourth for Ramapo. Joe Dutan clocked in at 28:18, finishing fifth for the Roadrunners as he rounded out the team’s top five finishers. At the NCAA Metro Regional Championships, the team placed 12th overall. Mercado led the way finishing first for Ramapo in 35th place overall, earning NCAA Metro All-Region honors. Ryan Pena was second for the squad as he clocked in at 27:19.8 and Ian McCauley was third for the team in 27:51.2. Mohamed Nidaazzi finished fourth with a time of 28:05.5 and Joseph Dutan posted a time of 29:27.7.

Women’s Cross Country

Sophomore Suzanne Zaugg was crowned NJAC Women’s Cross Country Champion at the NJAC Championship meet this past Fall becoming the second consecutive Roadrunner to win the NJAC crown.  She crossed the finish line in 22:51.3. As a team, Ramapo placed 4th overall with 112 team points in the 6k race. Zoey Cassavell placed second for the team and 22nd overall while Jane Wagner finished third for the team and 28th overall after winning the 2021 NJAC individual title. Franchesca Cartanega placed fourth for Ramapo and Angelica Ocasio finished fifth for the team to round out the team’s top five finishers. At the NCAA Metro Regional Championships, the Roadrunners placed 10th overall, the best team finish in program history. Zaugg placed 11th overall when she clocked in at 23:45.5 earning NCAA Metro All-Region honors. Cassavell finished second for Ramapo also earning All-Region honors. Wagner crossed the finish line with a time of 25:52.2 and Cartanega posted a time of 28:25.

Women’s Volleyball

The Roadrunners earned ten wins during the 2022 season including head coach Rob Pichardo’s 500th career coaching victory on September 10th in a 3-1 win over Bard College. The team earned the number #6 seed in the NJAC Championship Tournament, their 15th appearance in program history. Caleigh Golabek earned NJAC First Team All-Conference honors for her team leading efforts last season, while Stephanie Ross was named to the NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference team. The duo were also named to Academic All-District team for their efforts in the classroom, which is selected by the College Sports Communicators.