ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – The Elizabethtown College Department of Athletics recognized the academic and athletic accomplishments of its student-athletes, announcing the ninth annual STAR Award Winners this past week on its social media channels. Finalists for the awards were announced at last month's celebration, organized by the Blue Jay Athletic Association and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as an opportunity to acknowledge all of the successes of our Blue Jays over the past year.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The award goes to the outstanding first-year female and male student-athlete who exhibit talent; a high level of competitiveness; and consistent mental, physical, and emotional toughness in executing his/her team role. The award is not given on just talent alone. Due to the circumstances of this past year, nominees must be a spring sport first-year or sophomore student-athlete.
FEMALE AWARD WINNER: KELTY OASTER, TRACK & FIELD
Freshman Kelty Oaster lit up the track as a freshman, breaking the program's 800-meter record in her final race of the season. The Gettysburg, Pennsylvania native made an immediate impact for the Blue Jays at the Landmark Conference Championship, winning the 800 and earning All-Landmark First Team accolades. Her time of 2:13.83 in the 800 at last week's AARTFC Outdoor Championship broke Kathryn Howser's '12 decade-old record, and catapulted Oaster to USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field All-Region honors.
MALE AWARD WINNER: BEN WATSON, BASEBALL
Sophomore Ben Watson has been a mainstay in center field since his arrival on campus in 2019. The Glen Mills, Pa. native has already worked his way into the program's record book, tallying eight triples this past year, tying him for eighth in a single season. His nine career triples has him one spot out of the program's top-10 in only 37 career games. In 2021, Watson was first on the team in triples, tied for first in RBI (24), second in doubles (6), fourth in runs scored (16), and sixth in batting average (.291). During Etown's run to its first Landmark Conference Championship appearance since 2017, he batted .400 with nine RBI, two runs scored, four doubles, and three triples.
THE DR. CLAIR R. McCOLLOUGH AWARD
The Dr. Clair R. McCollough Award was established in 1970-71 to honor the most-improved senior student-athlete. Per the original award description, the most-improved student-athlete "exemplifies a maturity in the skills, knowledge, and competitive spirit of the game." For an athlete to reach this maturity, he or she must be dedicated to practice, accept coaching and apply it to the game, realize that contributing to the team effort is more important than self-gratification, understand that competitiveness is linked only to aspiring to perform at the highest level you are capable, possess a positive attitude which allows him/her to rise to the occasion physically, mentally, and emotionally and be a courteous winner, gracious loser, and encouraging teammate and leader.
FEMALE AWARD WINNER: JENNIFER BEIHOFF, LACROSSE
Graduate student Jennifer Beihoff is a five-year member of the women's lacrosse team. After tallying 519 total minutes during her first four seasons, Beihoff has nearly matched her career total through her final season. The Garden City, New York native finished her career fourth in goals-against average (12.46) and sixth in career saves (147) in program history. Beihoff is a dedicated team member and arguably the hardest worker on the women's lacrosse team. She has not only pushed herself to find time for extra reps but encourages her teammates to do the same. Developing into the goalie that Beihoff is now is a testament to her focus and determination on and off the field.
MALE AWARD WINNER: ANDREW FISHER, BASEBALL
Senior Andrew Fisher has improved dramatically in his four years with the baseball program. His freshman year, Fisher never started a game and only registered 11 at-bats. His role on the team in his first year was as a pinch-runner. From the time he stepped onto campus, Fisher has been one of, if not the hardest working player on the baseball team. The Pottstown, Pennsylvania native has gone from a bench player to a First Team All-Landmark selection. He finishes the season leading the Landmark Conference in batting average (.406) and stolen bases (20), while helping the Blue Jays to their first Landmark Championship appearance since 2017. His .364 career batting average is currently 13th in program history. The senior's number one goal is to help the team win in any way he can. His attitude, work ethic, and dedication have never wavered during his career and he has transitioned humbly from a pinch runner to the catalyst that makes the offense move.
DISTINGUISHED STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARD
The Blue Jay Athletic Association Distinguished Student-Athlete Award recognizes Elizabethtown College student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the areas of academic excellence, athletics achievement, service, and leadership. The recipient of this award demonstrates the ideals of citizenship and sportsmanship, and personifies the College motto "Educate for Service."
FEMALE AWARD WINNER: AIYANA TIETZE-DI TORO, VOLLEYBALL
Senior Aiyana Tietze-Di Toro is a four-year starter and two-time captain for the women's volleyball team. A 2019 Landmark All-Conference selection, Tietze-Di Toro graduates fourth all-time in digs per set (4.17) and seventh all-time in digs (1,432) in program history. She is a three-time Landmark Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll award winner and was selected to the Dean's List every semester. A STAMPS Scholar, Tietze-Di Toro is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society and the Pi Theta Epsilon Chapter. She has volunteered with the HOPE and SOTA Club while also taking part in Into the Streets. Not only will she go down as one of the best Liberos in program history, but as one of the most accomplished student-athletes on and off the court.
MALE AWARD WINNER: TOM MAHONEY, LACROSSE
Graduate student Tom Mahoney will leave Elizabethtown this spring as the most decorated goalie in men's lacrosse history. A two-time All-American selection, Mahoney earned Landmark Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year accolades this past season. He is the program's all-time leader in saves (682), saves per game (10.83), and wins (37). Mahoney will finish his career as a four-time Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll selection while also taking part in numerous service projects with the men's lacrosse team around campus. He has helped his teammates consistently thrive on and off the field and has led by example with his humble presence.
