The Spring semester is coming to a close, which means it is time to reveal the second batch of Manhattan College athletes to have made the All-Quadrangle first team.
The first group consisted of the five best athletes during the fall semester, which ranged from Aug. 26, 2013 to Dec. 13, 2013.
Here were the criteria for the All-Quadrangle first team:
1) Only the athletes who played in between the end of the Fall semester and the beginning of the Spring semester, or during the Spring semester (Jan.21-May 14), were taken under consideration.
2) Only the athlete’s current season statistics were used. Previous season stats were not considered.
3) How important the athletes were to their team during the season was considered.
These were the five best athletes of the fall/spring:
1) George Beamon, basketball, senior
When looking for a reason as to why the men’s basketball team was able to earn its first NCAA Tournament berth in 10 years, look no further than George Beamon. The fifth-year senior bounced back from an injury that forced him to miss most of the 2012-2013 season by leading the team in points per game (18.8), rebounds per game (6.5), and steals per game (1.6). Without Beamon, who sat out due to an ankle injury, Manhattan lost the 2013 MAAC Championship game to Iona. This time around, a healthy Beamon scored 16 points to go along with eight rebounds to help the Jaspers defeat Iona. The 6-foot-4-inch guard earned first team All-MAAC honors as well as being named the MVP of the MAAC Tournament.
2) Rhamel Brown, basketball, senior
Had Rhamel Brown not returned for his senior season, he would have still gone down as one of the best big men to put on a Jasper uniform. But Brown came back and his 2013-2014 season cemented his legacy. The 6-foot-7-inch forward averaged a respectable 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds, but it was his eye-popping 3.6 blocks per game that resonated. Brown broke his own single season record with 120 blocks, and in recognition of his defensive supremacy, he was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season.
3) Mohamed Koita, track and field, senior
After seamlessly making the transition from basketball to high jump in 2013, there were heavy expectations for Mohamed Koita going into the 2013-2014 track and field season. It’s safe to say he’s met those expectations. Koita has participated in 15 meets this season, of which he’s won seven and finished second four times. At the 2014 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Koita finished 15th, securing All-American honors. It’s also been a record-breaking year for Koita who surpassed the Manhattan high jump record with a leap of 7 feet 2.5 inches at the 2014 Draddy Invitational.
4) Kate Bowen, Softball, senior
Kate Bowen is perhaps the most indispensable player on the softball team. As a hitter, she leads the team in batting average with a .324 mark, hits with 57, and stolen bases with seven. As a pitcher, she leads the team with an 11-6 record. She’s been a big reason why the lady Jaspers have qualified for the MAAC Softball Championships, and they’ll need her to not only pitch, but hit well, if they want to have a chance of advancing.
5) Elena Bowman, Softball, sophomore
Whether you want to call Elena Bowman Batman or Robin is up to you, but there’s no denying that she’s been as important to the softball’s team success as Kate Bowen has. Bowman is among the leaders in the MAAC in runs scored (35), runs batted in (41), walks (30), and home runs (12). Her stats show that she’s a natural born slugger. With the MAAC Softball Championships approaching, the lady Jaspers will need a couple big hits from Bowman.
Notable Omissions
1) Michael Alvarado, Basketball, senior
Alvarado was named to the third team All-MAAC after averaging 11.9 points and four assists per game.
2) Christian Santisteban, Baseball, sophomore
He leads the team in batting average, hits, and runs batted in.
3) Lydia Wehrli, Track and Field, junior
Wehrli won the hammer throw at the 2014 MAAC Outdoor Championships, and took bronze in the weight throw at the 2014 MAAC Indoor Track and Field Championships.
4) Bianca Marten, Track and Field, junior
Marten was named Most Outstanding Performer for Field Events in the women’s category at the 2014 MAAC Indoor Championships. She has won several events this season in the 60 and 100-meter hurdles, as well as the triple and long jump.
5) Ida Virdebrant, Track and Field, freshman
Has won five of the 11 meets she’s competed in, including the women’s high jump event at the 2014 MAAC Indoor Championships and 2014 MAAC Outdoor Championships.