FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Women's basketball guard Sabra Wrice and men's soccer forward Sam Bailey earned the athlete of the year awards at Fairfield University's annual athletics awards banquet, held at the Trumbull Marriott.
Wrice enjoyed a stellar season with the women's basketball
team. She played an instrumental part in the Stags' 22-win season
this year, leading the team in scoring with a 16.2 scoring average,
which placed fourth among MAAC players. She earned her second
All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference first team honor, also
garnering the award in 2006-07. She also collected All-Met
Basketball accolades in 2007-08. She finishes her career ranked
among the top ten for scoring with 1,577 points, steals with 216,
and three-pointers made with 143.
Bailey led the men's soccer team in scoring with 26 total points,
securing 11 goals and four assists with six game-winning goals. He
finished his career with 70 points, making the program's all-time
leading scorer. His 27 career goals and 23 career assists also
represent school records. He capped his senior season by earning a
spot on the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference first team, his
third appearance on the squad and second as a first teamer. He also
collected All-Region first team honors from the National Soccer
Coaches Association of America.
Kristen Coleman earned the Female Freshman of the Year award after helping the women's lacrosse team post a 17-2 overall record, including a 17-game winning streak. She set single-season records at Fairfield with 68 goals and 90 points, which helped her earn the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year as well as the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year. She earned four MAAC Rookie of the Week awards, three MAAC Offensive Player of the Week awards, and one MAAC defensive player of the week accolade, giving her a weekly award for eight straight weeks. Her 90 points already place her among the top ten scorers all-time at Fairfield, despite completing just one season in uniform. She tallied five game-winning goals during the season.
Matthew Uy secured the Male Freshman of the Year by
playing an instrumental role in the men's soccer team
success. With his assistance, the men's soccer team earned another
national ranking during the regular season. He finished second
among his teammates with three assists. Although a freshman, this
student-athlete started 17 games for the Stags, tied for second
most on the team. He capped his rookie season by earning a spot on
the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference second team. Off campus,
this player earned a berth with the United States Soccer
Federation's Under-20 Men's National Team, which competed in Copa
Chivas Tournament in California.
Tennis player Balazs Szikla received the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year after posting a 3.78 GPA in Finance. He has excelled both in the classroom and on the tennis court throughout his career with the program. He is a three-time MAAC All-Academic honoree, as well as a three-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar Athlete. On the court, Szikla ranks third all-time at Fairfield University for career wins with 111 victories. This season, he earned a gold medal at the ECAC championships for doubles.
Lauren Groom, a forward on the women's basketball team, was named the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year with a 3.59 GPA in a dual major of Marketing and Finance. She enjoyed her best season this year, averaging just over seven points per game, which placed her third among her teammates. She tallied 10 or more points in nine games this year, including a season-high 15 points against Canisius. She placed third on the team with 33 three-point baskets made in 31 appearances. Off the court, Lauren earned a spot on the MAAC All-Academic squad both as a sophomore and as a junior.
Stephanie Cziria was selected as the William Wallin
Memorial Award winner, an honor which is presented each year to a
student-athlete who epitomizes the sportsmanship, character, and
leadership of William Wallin. Cziria made contributions to
Fairfield University both on and off the court. On the court, she
served her teammates as a co-captain, often serving as a mentor to
younger team members. She is an active member of the Student
Athlete Advisory Council. She also actively participated in all
community service projects both with the women's basketball team as
well as with the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Her dedication
to the women's basketball program as well as to the area community
provides an example to all who know her.
