Cassandra Barrett ’19
Staff Writer
Lebanon Valley College looks toward its 149th commencement ceremony in 2018, and among the graduating class of 2018 are some of the most talented and accomplished student-athletes to have ever attended LVC.
While there are many successful and noteworthy student-athletes in the class of 2018, some seniors have broken program records, won awards and reached impressive milestones throughout their collegiate careers at The Valley.
Tom Klemick, director of athletic communications, says that the class of 2018 is one of the best combinations of athletics and academics in recent LVC history, and some senior standouts from this class will still be remembered and recognized for years to come.
“There will be a couple of kids from this class that will end up in the hall of fame,” Klemick said. “It’s a special class.”
Men’s Soccer
Nate Gibbons, a physics and mathematics major and Allwein Scholar, is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, an honor awarded to student-athletes who show both outstanding athletic and academic achievement. Not only has Gibbons received this honor two years in a row, but he is also the recipient of an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. These postgraduate scholarships are only awarded to roughly 50 student-athletes in the NCAA each year, spanning all three athletic divisions.
Cam Avery, a physical therapy major, is the team’s starting goalkeeper. He will graduate with the most all-time wins in program history with 44.
Field Hockey
Maddie Fox, a physical therapy major, is one of only 19 women in program history to play in the NFHCA North/South Division III All-Star Game.
Cross Country and Track
Nick Scullin, a biology major, was named a MAC Men’s Cross Country Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the MAC’s highest individual honor. This prestigious award is given to one senior in each conference sport and recognizes outstanding student-athlete achievement both athletically and academically. Scullin also qualified for and competed in the 2018 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 800-meter dash.
Swimming
Ian Lloyd, a physical therapy major, is considered to be one of the most decorated swimmers in the program’s history. He is a two-time MAC champion, winning gold in both the 200 fly in 2017 and in the 200 IM in his senior season. He was also named the MAC Men’s Swimming Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference’s highest individual honor. In addition to these honors and accolades, Lloyd also holds program records in 15 events including the 50y free, 100y fly, 200y fly, 200y IM, 200y free relay, 200m fly, 100m fly, 200m breast, 400m IM and more.
Women’s Basketball
Becky Evans, an early childhood and special education major, became the 14th player in program history to score 1,000 career points.
Men’s Basketball
Sam Light, a business administration major, is the second all-time leading scorer in program history. In his senior campaign, Light joined the 2,000 point club and ended his career with 2,097 points.
Andy Orr, a business administration major, is the only player in program history to score 1,900 points (1,946 points) and collect 900 rebounds for his career (910 rebounds). He was also a top ten finalist for the Jostens Trophy, a national honor that recognizes outstanding achievement in athletics and academics with a dedication to community service. Orr is the third athlete in school history to become a finalist for this prestigious honor. In addition to these achievements, Orr was also named the MAC Men’s Basketball Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the MAC’s highest individual honor.
Baseball
Colin Albright, an accounting and economics major, is graduating as a member of the 100 hit club after reaching this milestone in his junior season.
Marshal Kiessling, a business administration major, joined Albright after picking up his 100th-career hit in his senior campaign.
Softball
Cheyanne Brown, a global studies and sociology major, recorded her 100th-career hit, joining the elite club during her junior season.
Women’s Lacrosse
Emma Jones, a biology major, ranks third all-time in career goals.