La Salle Athletics posted some impressive stats in 2021, with two track and field All-Americans, a conference champion, a silver medal for women’s rowing at the Dad Vail Regatta, and academic honors bestowed upon student-athletes across many programs, and all east-region honor for soccer player.

Let’s take a closer look:

All-American honors for Manyeah, Mancini
Track and field athletes Dennis Manyeah, ‘21, Grace Mancini, ’20, M.S. ’21, were honored as All-Americans by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Manyeah earned Second Team accolades, after finishing 16th out of 24 in the high jump at the NCAA Track & Field Championships. Mancini picked up Honorable Mention recognition after placing 18th among 24 runners in the national semifinals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Championships.

In addition, Mancini was picked as an Atlantic 10 Conference finalist for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

Conference champ
Luke Jaciw-Zurakowsky, ’22, became the fifth Explorer to win the Atlantic 10’s men’s cross country championship, and the first since 2013 to represent the University at the NCAA Championship. Jaciw-Zurakowsky’s title helped La Salle finish second or better in each of the last three A-10 cross country championship meets.

Making the grade
La Salle student-athletes boasted a 3.31 grade point average across all varsity programs during the Spring 2021 semester. In total, 45 Explorers tallied a perfect 4.0 during the spring and 10 teams eclipsed the 3.5 GPA mark, helping boost the department’s cumulative GPA up to 3.38 from this time last year when it was 3.30.

Silver at Dad Vail Regatta
The women’s novice eight took home silver at the 82nd Dad Vail Regatta, marking the first time a La Salle women’s boat earned a medal at the event in nearly two decades.

The women’s novice eight—comprised of Madison Albanese, ’24; Kate Vasey, ’24; Hailey Minter, ’24; Caleigh McMenamin-Martinez, ’24; Estefani Tretto Ayres, ’23; Sarah Reed, ’23; Avery Morris, ’24; Lily Henshaw, ’24; and coxswain Ava Grace Oronzi, ’24—led through the first 800 meters and battled throughout to earn silver.

New record for A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll members
La Salle set a University record for Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll members. The Explorers had a total of 272 student-athletes on the list for the 2020-21 academic year, breaking last year’s previous record of 263.

Among La Salle’s programs, women’s lacrosse had the most honorees with 28 in total. Women’s soccer was next with 26, followed by men’s soccer with 25.

DeFusco, Martinez earn ACWPC All-America honors
Sarah DeFusco, ’21 and Madison Martinez, ’21, were named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division I All-America Team Honorable Mention. These are just the second and third All-America honors in program history as DeFusco garnered the same recognition last year.

DeFusco was the team’s top goal scorer with 49 during her senior season. She added 25 assists for a total of 74 points. DeFusco finished tied for the team lead in steals with 24.

Louketis selected to United Soccer Coaches All-East Region First Team
Amirah Louketis, ’21, was selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region First team. The teams are selected through voting by member coaches. In a shortened spring 2021 season, Louketis was tied for the women’s soccer team lead in both points and goals.