At the conclusion of the greatest year in its history, Rutgers Athletics announced its 2021-22 award winners on Wednesday. The honors for Rutgers student-athletes includes Male and Female Athlete of the Year for each academic year, Bauer Athlete of the Year, the Big Ten Medal of Honor, the Coursen Award, the Headley-Singer Award and the Werblin Award. This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the freshman class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.
Freshman of the Year
This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the freshman class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.
Josh Kuroda Grauer - Baseball
Right in the middle of the historic season for Rutgers baseball was a superstar true freshman from Somerset, N.J. known simply as "JKG." Known for his uncanny maturity and consistency, Josh Kuroda-Grauer was an elite player for the Scarlet Knights, emerging as the every day starter at second base. He was named All-Big Ten Third Team while also being named to the conference's All-Freshman Team. Kuroda-Grauer excelled on both offense and defense, batting .299 with a 29-game on-base streak and 18 multi-hit games while committing just one error on the entire season, good a .994 fielding percentage.
Riley Tiernan wasted no time making her mark for Rutgers soccer as a true freshman in 2021, helping lead the Scarlet Knights to a Big Ten Championship and the Women's College Cup. It was Tiernan's penalty kick against Arkansas in the NCAA Quarterfinals that sent RU to the College Cup for just the second time in program history. The list of individual accolades for Tiernan in her debut season includes Big Ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, All-Region First Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Sophomore of the Year
This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the sophomore class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.
Ryan Lasko put together one of the finest individual seasons in Rutgers baseball history in 2022. He led the Big Ten with 90 hits and 81 runs, while also tying for the Rutgers lead with 16 home runs. His 12 home runs in Big Ten games were two shy of the all-time Big Ten record for home runs in a conference season. He batted .349, hit 16 home runs and 51 RBI with a 1.074 OPS, stole 13-of-14 bases and collected 166 total bases. Lasko's list of accolades includes ABCA/Rawlings All-America Second Team, All-Big Ten First Team, All-Region First Team, ECAC Player of the Year Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist and invitee to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp.
Sophomore shortstop
Kyleigh Sand was among the pair of Scarlet Knights earning the program's first-ever First Team All-Big Ten honors along with National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team Great Lakes All-Region and Honorable Mention All-ECAC accolades. Sand's .398 batting average was the highest "On The Banks" since 2011 and her team-leading 49 runs helped RU its most runs since 2015. The sophomore was instrumental in helping her squad jump out to a 21-10 record for its best start in 41 years and be among a record-tying eight Big Ten Teams in the postseason as the Scarlet Knights made their second National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC) appearance. Among Rutgers single-season leaders, Sand finished the season second in hits (68), third in runs (49), fourth in walks (33), tied for fifth in stolen bases (23) and sixth in batting average (.398). Among her Big Ten peers she ranked fourth in hits (68) and stolen bases (23), fifth in batting average (.398) and on-base percentage (.495), sixth in runs (49) and 10th in doubles (12).
Junior of the Year
This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the junior class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season.
A'nan Bridgett became a three-time All-American, completing the Big Ten sweep earning gold in the long jump at both the indoor and outdoor conference championships. The three-time NCAA Championship qualifier finished fourth at the indoor championships to earn First Team All-America honors. He took earned First Team All-American distinction in the outdoor championships with a sixth-place finish in the long jump. On the track, Bridgett owns a share of two school records as he tied indoor 60-meter time and ran on the record-setting 4x100-meter relay team in the outdoor. Bridgett is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient.
A consensus All-American by the IWLCA (first), USA Lacrosse Magazine (second) and ILWomen (second), the unanimous 2022 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection, Spilis produced career highs in points (71), goals (69), draw controls (72), ground balls (46) and caused turnovers (22) in 21 games this season. A three-time Big Ten Midfielder of the Week to close the regular season, Spilis tallied 14 hat tricks this spring and scored five or more goals seven times during the 2022 campaign. Spilis is currently top 10 in five categories within the Big Ten. The Tabernacle, New Jersey, native is second in goals (69), fourth in ground balls (46), sixth in points (71), sixth in draw controls (72) and ninth in caused turnovers (22). A Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist and First Team IWLCA All-Region pick, Spilis' 69 goals are the most in a single season in school history, surpassing Heather Jones' 60 in 1993.
Senior of the Year
This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete of the senior class and is based on athletic success during the most recent academic year/season. This category will encompass any individual who is a senior/5th year/6th year.
Named Second Team All-America in 2021 by the
Associated Press,
FWAA,
Phil Steele and Walter Camp, Korsak helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punting average of 45.25 to set a new NCAA record. The Aussie was voted a Ray Guy Award finalist, winning the fan vote, to become the first Scarlet Knight to place in the top-three for a national on-field award since 2007. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 69-of-72 attempts, with 65 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 38 inside the 20 with 16 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. He boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.8 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 124 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. Korsak additionally earned the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team at the Rutgers football banquet. He holds the Rutgers records for career punting yards (12,021), career punts (274) and longest punt (79 yards).
Glatz excelled this year as the top goalkeeper in collegiate field hockey. The Medford, N.J. native was the 2021 Big Ten Co-Player of the Year and Regional Player of the Year en route to First Team All-American honors. She set statistical bests with a 0.93 goals-against-average and .796 save percentage this season. She was named to the NFHCA Senior Team and Big Ten All-Tournament Team. In addition, she earned the Wayne Duke Award, NFHCA National Scholar Athlete and NFHCA Scholar of Distinction for her off--field achievements. Glatz finished her career fourth all-time in Rutgers' history in goals-against-average (1.40) and fifth all-time in Rutgers history in saves (364).
Bauer Athlete of the Year
This award is given to the one male and one female student-athlete from any class who has consistently performed and excelled in athletic competition at a high level for the most recent academic year/season.
In four seasons at Rutgers, Harper Jr. played in 121 games with 109 starts. He scored 1,525 points and collected 622 rebounds, 94 steals and 78 blocks. He is tied for 12
th all-time with RU legend Roy Hinson in points scored and 19
th all-time in blocked shots. Harper Jr. made 181 career three-pointers, shot 43.9 percent from the field and was 34 percent from long range. Harper Jr. had his best season with the Scarlet Knights in 2021-22. Harper Jr. led the team with 15.8 points per game in 32 starts. The Franklin Lakes, N.J. native shot 44.2 percent from the field and a career-best 39.8 percent from three-point distance this season, along with 5.9 rebounds per game, a career-best 33 steals and 20 blocks. Harper Jr. opened his memorable senior season with four consecutive double-doubles, then scored 30 points with a buzzer-beating halfcourt shot to defeat No. 1 Purdue. Rutgers was awarded National Team of the Week by ESPN and NCAA.com March Madness for the first time in school history following the win. Rutgers had four consecutive wins over ranked opponents, becoming the first unranked team has done so in college basketball history. Harper Jr. ended his regular season with a game-winning shot against Indiana on the road and a victory in front of RU Nation against Penn State on Senior Day. Harper Jr. became the first Scarlet Knight since Quincy Douby in 2005-06 to be named All-American. He is the 11
th Scarlet Knight in program history to earn All-America honors. Harper Jr. also became the first Rutgers player to Win the Metropolitan Haggerty Award since Douby in 2005-06. Harper Jr.'s 2
nd Team All-Big Ten Award was the highest recognition ever for a Scarlet Knight in the Big Ten. Harper previously had one Third Team and one Honorable Mention selection tying Rutgers legend James Bailey for three All-Conference team awards.
Amirah Ali put a bow on one of the greatest careers in the history of Rutgers women's soccer in 2021. Ali set career-high marks with 12 goals, six assists and 30 points to lead the Scarlet Knights to the College Cup for just the second time in program history. In RU's postseason run to Santa Clara, Ali scored 3 goals, all in consecutive games against Saint Louis, TCU and Arkansas, including the equalizer against the Razorbacks that forced overtime and eventually the penalty kick shootout that Rutgers would win. Ali racked up countless accolades for her historic final season on the Banks, being named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team, All-America Third Team, All-Region First Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team, All-Big Ten First Team and Academic All-Big Ten.
Big Ten Medal of Honor
This award is given to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each Big Ten member institution who has attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work. The awardees will have demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their respective collegiate careers.
Geo Baker cemented his place in Rutgers basketball history in 2021-22. Baker averaged 12.0 points-per-game, 3.9 assists per game and shot 39.1 percent from the field as the Rutgers men's basketball team collected the most wins since joining the Big Ten and posted its highest conference finish since the 1990-91 season. The Scarlet Knight finished his career second all-time in assists (496), fifth all-time in three-pointers made (237), fourth all-time in steals (180), eighth all-time in points (1,654) and eighth all-time in field goals made (599). Baker was the first and only men's basketball Scarlet Knight to earn two Big Ten Player of the Week awards and became one of the first three-time all-conference selections since 1978-79 with Third Team All-Big Ten honors.
TT Naslonski - Lacrosse
TT Naslonski ended her historic and record-setting Rutgers career with an outstanding 2022 season. Naslonski finished her career as the most prolific scorer in Rutgers women's lacrosse history. A consensus Second Team All-American by the IWLCA and Honorable Mention All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and IL Women, First Team IWLCA All-Region, First Team All-Big Ten selection and IWLCA Senior All-Star Game selection, Naslonski set new Scarlet Knight records for career points (226) and goals (187). During the 2022 season, she set the RU record for points in a single season (90) while her 22 points in four career NCAA Tournament games made her the top postseason scorer in Rutgers history. Her performance on the field helped the Scarlet Knights to its best season in program history with its highest ranking to date at No. 10 in the final IWLCA Poll and a team-best 16 victories. Altogether Naslonski and the Scarlet Knights topped six nationally-ranked teams, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Final and produced its second-consecutive NCAA Tournament opening-round victory with a win over No. 23 Saint Joseph's.
Coursen Award
This award is for the most outstanding male student-athlete from the graduating class who, during his career at the university, has participated in the intercollegiate athletics program and proved himself to be an athlete of outstanding ability, and has shown determination, courage, modesty, and self-discipline and who, with unselfish devotion to his teammates and generous fairness to his opponents, has represented Rutgers University to the highest of standards.
Danny DiGeorgio came to Rutgers as a regular student with no plans on playing baseball. DiGeorgio soon realized he would regret never giving it a shot. So he decided to try out for the team his sophomore year and wound up becoming the starting shortstop for the Scarlet Knights in 2018. That kickstarted a legendary career for DiGeorgio, who led the Scarlet Knights to a program-record 44 wins as the leader in the dugout and starting shortstop. His final season as a Scarlet Knight culminated in All-America Third Team honors from ABCA/Rawlings. He was one of three Scarlet Knights to be named All-Big Ten First Team and was one of six finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the top shortstop in the country. In 2022, DiGeorgio set career highs in nearly all major categories with a .368 batting average, seven home runs, 59 RBI and a 1.032 OPS. He was also a standout defensively for a team that led the Big Ten in fielding percentage the entire season.
Jaryd Jean-Felix made a big impact as the Scarlet Knights' top defenseman. The Cumming, Ga. native was a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, with career-bests in caused turnovers (19) and ground balls (24). An Honorable Mention All-American and Scholar All-American, Jean-Felix was named All-ECAC and All-Big Ten. In his career, the defenseman posted 51 ground balls and 37 caused turnovers across 39 games.
Headley-Singer Award
This award is for the most outstanding female student-athlete from the graduating class who, during her career at the university, has participated in the intercollegiate athletics program and proved herself to be an athlete of outstanding ability, and has shown determination, courage, modesty, and self-discipline and who, with unselfish devotion to her teammates and generous fairness to her opponents, has represented Rutgers University to the highest of standards.
Katie Larmour was named a Second Team All-American, First Team All-Region, First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-ECAC. The Belfast, Northern Ireland native scored one goal and added five assists during the 2021 campaign. The midfielder was named to the NFHCA Senior Team in recognition of her six years 'On the Banks', during which time she played in 86 career games, 83 of them starts and posted 17 goals (six game-winning goals) and 18 assists for 52 career points. In addition, she was named as a NFHCA National Scholar Athlete.
Werblin Award
The Werblin Award is given to any male or female student-athlete who, either as an individual or as a member of a team, received national recognition or won a national championship during the most recent academic year.
Baseball
Ryan Lasko - All American
Ryan Lasko put together one of the finest individual seasons in Rutgers baseball history in 2022. He led the Big Ten with 90 hits and 81 runs, while also tying for the Rutgers lead with 16 home runs. His 12 home runs in Big Ten games were two shy of the all-time Big Ten record for home runs in a conference season. He batted .349, hit 16 home runs and 51 RBI with a 1.074 OPS, stole 13-of-14 bases and collected 166 total bases. Lasko's list of accolades includes ABCA/Rawlings All-America Second Team, All-Big Ten First Team, All-Region First Team, ECAC Player of the Year Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist and invitee to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp.
Nick Cimillo - All American
Nick Cimillo was named All-America Third Team by both NCBWA (media) and ABCA/Rawlings (coaches). His All-America selection is one of many postseason accolades for Cimillo that include NCBWA District Player of the Year and All-Big Ten Second Team. Cimillo was the top hitter in the Big Ten this season, as he led the conference with a .385 batting average, .707 slugging percentage and 1.199 OPS. He also tied for the Rutgers team lead with 16 home runs on the season
Danny DiGeorgio - All American
Danny DiGeorgio came to Rutgers as a regular student with no plans on playing baseball. DiGeorgio soon realized he would regret never giving it a shot. So he decided to try out for the team his sophomore year and wound up becoming the starting shortstop for the Scarlet Knights in 2018. That kickstarted a legendary career for DiGeorgio, who led the Scarlet Knights to a program-record 44 wins as the leader in the dugout and starting shortstop. His final season as a Scarlet Knight culminated in All-America Third Team honors from ABCA/Rawlings. He was one of three Scarlet Knights to be named All-Big Ten First Team and was one of six finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the top shortstop in the country. In 2022, DiGeorgio set career highs in nearly all major categories with a .368 batting average, seven home runs, 59 RBI and a 1.032 OPS. He was also a standout defensively for a team that led the Big Ten in fielding percentage the entire season.
Men's Basketball
Ron Harper - All American
In four seasons at Rutgers, Harper Jr. played in 121 games with 109 starts. He scored 1,525 points and collected 622 rebounds, 94 steals and 78 blocks. He is tied for 12
th all-time with RU legend Roy Hinson in points scored and 19
th all-time in blocked shots. Harper Jr. made 181 career three-pointers, shot 43.9 percent from the field and was 34 percent from long range. Harper Jr. had his best season with the Scarlet Knights in 2021-22. Harper Jr. led the team with 15.8 points per game in 32 starts. The Franklin Lakes, N.J. native shot 44.2 percent from the field and a career-best 39.8 percent from three-point distance this season, along with 5.9 rebounds per game, a career-best 33 steals and 20 blocks. Harper Jr. opened his memorable senior season with four consecutive double-doubles, then scored 30 points with a buzzer-beating halfcourt shot to defeat No. 1 Purdue. Rutgers was awarded National Team of the Week by ESPN and NCAA.com March Madness for the first time in school history following the win. Rutgers had four consecutive wins over ranked opponents, becoming the first unranked team has done so in college basketball history. Harper Jr. ended his regular season with a game-winning shot against Indiana on the road and a victory in front of RU Nation against Penn State on Senior Day. Harper Jr. became the first Scarlet Knight since Quincy Douby in 2005-06 to be named All-American. He is the 11
th Scarlet Knight in program history to earn All-America honors. Harper Jr. also became the first Rutgers player to Win the Metropolitan Haggerty Award since Douby in 2005-06. Harper Jr.'s 2
nd Team All-Big Ten Award was the highest recognition ever for a Scarlet Knight in the Big Ten. Harper previously had one Third Team and one Honorable Mention selection tying Rutgers legend James Bailey for three All-Conference team awards.
Field Hockey
Gianna Glatz - All American
Glatz excelled this year as the top goalkeeper in collegiate field hockey. The Medford, N.J. native was the 2021 Big Ten Co-Player of the Year and Regional Player of the Year en route to First Team All-American honors. She set statistical bests with a 0.93 goals-against-average and .796 save percentage this season. She was named to the NFHCA Senior Team and Big Ten All-Tournament Team. In addition, she earned the Wayne Duke Award, NFHCA National Scholar Athlete and NFHCA Scholar of Distinction for her off--field achievements. Glatz finished her career fourth all-time in Rutgers' history in goals-against-average (1.40) and fifth all-time in Rutgers history in saves (364).
Katie Larmour - All American
Katie Larmour was named a Second Team All-American, First Team All-Region, First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-ECAC. The Belfast, Northern Ireland native scored one goal and added five assists during the 2021 campaign. The midfielder was named to the NFHCA Senior Team in recognition of her six years 'On the Banks', during which time she played in 86 career games, 83 of them starts and posted 17 goals (six game-winning goals) and 18 assists for 52 career points. In addition, she was named as a NFHCA National Scholar Athlete.
Football
Adam Korsak - All American
Named Second Team All-America in 2021 by the
Associated Press,
FWAA,
Phil Steele and Walter Camp, Korsak helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punting average of 45.25 to set a new NCAA record. The Aussie was voted a Ray Guy Award finalist, winning the fan vote, to become the first Scarlet Knight to place in the top-three for a national on-field award since 2007. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 69-of-72 attempts, with 65 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 38 inside the 20 with 16 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. He boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.8 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 124 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. Korsak additionally earned the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team at the Rutgers football banquet. He holds the Rutgers records for career punting yards (12,021), career punts (274) and longest punt (79 yards).
Men's Lacrosse
Jaryd Jean-Felix - All American
Jaryd Jean-Felix made a big impact as the Scarlet Knights' top defenseman. The Cumming, Ga. native was a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, with career-bests in caused turnovers (19) and ground balls (24). An Honorable Mention All-American and Scholar All-American, Jean-Felix was named All-ECAC and All-Big Ten. In his career, the defenseman posted 51 ground balls and 37 caused turnovers across 39 games.
Ronan Jacoby - All American
Ronan Jacoby made an instant impact after transferring to Rutgers from Wesleyan, earning All-American, All-Big Ten and All-ECAC accolades. The Glastonbury, Ct. native produced 37 goals and 11 assists to lead the RU midfield as he was also named a Scholar All-American.
Brennan Kamish - All American
Brennan Kamish proved himself as one of the top short-stick defensive midfielders in the nation. The Wixom, Mich. native was a Second Team All-American after posting career-bests with 21 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers, also adding four goals and three assists. The All-ECAC and Scholar All-American is excelling in the PLL with the Whipsnakes.
Colin Kirst - All American
Colin Kirst stamped himself as one of the nation's top goalkeepers as a Second Team All-American. The Bernardsville, N.J. native had a 11.08 goals-against-average, .540 save percentage and scooped 46 ground balls. He had 234 saves, third most in RU single-season history, notching 16 double-digit save performances. The Scholar All-American was All-ECAC and named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
Shane Knobloch - All American
Shane Knobloch excelled as a sophomore, following up his Big Ten Freshman of the Year campaign with new career-best outputs. The Moorestown, N.J. native posted 32 goals and 16 assists for 48 points, including a team-best three goals in the NCAA Quarterfinal win. He also collected 22 ground balls and seven caused turnovers. An Honorable Mention All-American, he was named First Team All-Big Ten and All-ECAC.
Ethan Rall - All American
Ethan Rall was a tremendous presence at long-stick midfield en route to First Team All-America honors. The Islip, N.Y. native set career-bests with a Rutgers' record 31 caused turnovers and also scooped 51 ground balls, while adding a personal best four assists with two goals. He helped RU to a clearing percentage of 90.5%. The Scholar All-American was the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten.
Ross Scott - All American
Ross Scott had a breakout season in transitioning to a new role as a starting attackman. The West Linn, Ore. native led the Scarlet Knights in scoring, as he posted 50 goals and 25 assists, tying for the most goals in a single season in RU history and posting the second most points. A Third Team All-American, he was named Second Team All-Big Ten and All-ECAC while earning recognition on the NCAA Tournament and Big Ten Tournament All-Tournament Teams.
Women's Lacrosse
Meghan Ball - All American
A consensus All-American by the IWLCA (second), USA Lacrosse Magazine (third) and ILWomen (third), a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection and a member of the 2022 Tewaaraton Award Watch List, Ball led the team in draw controls (114), ground balls (64) and caused turnovers (54) this season. Her 2.57 caused turnovers per game leads the Big Ten and is sixth nationally, while her 3.05 ground balls per game is second in the conference and 11th in the NCAA. A two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Ball caused multiple turnovers in 15 games and three or more turnovers 10 times. In 46 career games, Ball has collected 207 draw controls, 121 ground balls and 94 caused turnovers.
Marin Hartshorn - All American
The 'quarterback' of RU's historic 2022 offense, Hartshorn earned the first All-America laurel of her career. An IWLCA All-Region selection for the second consecutive season. Hartshorn finished third on the team in assists (22), goals (35) and draw controls (53) and was fourth on the team in points with 57. The Allentown, New Jersey, native produced two or more points in 18 games this season, has tallied six hat tricks and contributed three crucial goals in Rutgers' 10-8 road win at RV Ohio State to close the regular season and clinch the No. 3 seed in the 2022 Big Ten Tournament at SHI Stadium. Hartshorn was one of three Scarlet Knights to secure her 100th-career draw control this season and became the 26th player in program history to hit 100 points for her career when she netted a goal in RU's home opener against Army on Feb. 16 in Piscataway.
Stephanie Kelly - All American
An All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and an All-Big Ten Second Team pick, Kelly finished second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 39 assists in 21 games. Her 39 assists were a program single-season record, as the graduate student dished out two or more assists in 12 games this past spring. Along with her team-high 39 helpers, Kelly was third on the team in points (65) and fourth in goals (26). Kelly hit 300 points for her career when she tallied two in RU's historic win over No. 4 Northwestern and finished with 302 for her career after she arrived as a graduate transfer from Saint Joseph's with 237 points on her resume (2018-21).
TT Naslonski - All American
The most prolific scorer in program history, a consensus All-American by the IWLCA (second), USA Lacrosse Magazine (HM) and ILWomen (HM), and a 2022 First Team All-Big Ten selection, Naslonski is third in the Big Ten with 90 points on 66 goals and 24 assists this season. Naslonski (66) and Spilis (69) mark the first time Rutgers has had two individuals with more than 50 and 60 goals in a single season in its history, as the graduate student has netted 14 hat tricks this spring. Naslonski became the program's all-time points (266) and goal (187) scorer this season and has played in the most games in school history with 79 appearances.
Cassidy Spilis - All American
A consensus All-American by the IWLCA (first), USA Lacrosse Magazine (second) and ILWomen (second), the unanimous 2022 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection, Spilis produced career highs in points (71), goals (69), draw controls (72), ground balls (46) and caused turnovers (22) in 21 games this season. A three-time Big Ten Midfielder of the Week to close the regular season, Spilis tallied 14 hat tricks this spring and scored five or more goals seven times during the 2022 campaign. Spilis is currently top 10 in five categories within the Big Ten. The Tabernacle, New Jersey, native is second in goals (69), fourth in ground balls (46), sixth in points (71), sixth in draw controls (72) and ninth in caused turnovers (22). A Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist and First Team IWLCA All-Region pick, Spilis' 69 goals are the most in a single season in school history, surpassing Heather Jones' 60 in 1993.
Women's Rowing
Hannah Heideveld - All American (Second Team)
Olivia Maxton - All American (Honorable Mention)
Luisa Neerschulte - All American (Honorable Mention)
The Scarlet Knight trio are members of the Rutgers Varsity 8, which placed 13th in the nation at the 2022 NCAA Championships after winning the C final on the final day of the national regatta.
Women's Soccer
Amirah Ali - All American
Amirah Ali put a bow on one of the greatest careers in the history of Rutgers women's soccer in 2021. Ali set career-high marks with 12 goals, six assists and 30 points to lead the Scarlet Knights to the College Cup for just the second time in program history. In RU's postseason run to Santa Clara, Ali scored 3 goals, all in consecutive games against Saint Louis, TCU and Arkansas, including the equalizer against the Razorbacks that forced overtime and eventually the penalty kick shootout that Rutgers would win. Ali racked up countless accolades for her historic final season on the Banks, being named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team, All-America Third Team, All-Region First Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team, All-Big Ten First Team and Academic All-Big Ten.
Emily Mason - Junior National Team
Following a true freshman season that saw her make 18 starts to help lead Rutgers to the College Cup, defender
Emily Mason made her mark with the United States U-20 Youth National Team. Mason won a gold medal with the USWYNT at the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in March. Mason was called up again to compete for the U-20 YNT in June to compete in the Sud Ladies Cup in France, where she helped Team USA win the whole tournament.
Gabby Provenzano - All American
During her career at Rutgers,
Gabby Provenzano proved to be the heart and soul of one of the school's most successful programs. Provenzano was a mainstay on the Scarlet Knight defensive unit, playing in 106 games across five seasons on the Banks. From 2018-2021, Provenzano started all 82 games for Rutgers. While leading the Scarlet Knights to the College Cup, Provenzano collected every accolade possible as a senior in 2021, highlighted by an All-America First Team selection. Provenzano was also Scholar All-America First Team, Scholar All-Region, Academic All-Big Ten, College Cup All-Tournament Team, a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, All-Region First Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team, All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Defender of the Year.
Frankie Tagliaferri - All American
In her lone season at Rutgers,
Frankie Tagliaferri left a lasting impact on the women's soccer program. She started all 25 games and led the team with 13 goals and 35 points, helping lead the team to the College Cup. Tagliaferri was the catalyst for one of the most prolific offenses in the country and received countless accolades for her outstanding 2021 season. Tagliaferri was named All-America First Team, Academic All-Big Ten, a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, All-Region First Team, All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and a Senior CLASS Award Finalist.
Swimming and Diving
Abigail Knapton - All American
Abigail Knapton transferred to Rutgers as the most decorated diver in the history of the University of Nebraska. Knapton continued to shine on the national stage as a Scarlet Knight, earning First Team All-America honors after finishing in seventh place at NCAAs on platform. She also received Second Team All-America honors after finishing in 11th place in the 3-meter competition. Knapton's historic season at Rutgers included a pair of NCAA Zone A championships on the platform and in three-meter. She also set a new Rutgers record with a score of 332.25 on the platform.
Track and Field
A'nan Bridgett - All American
Bridgett became a three-time All-American, completing the Big Ten sweep earning gold in the long jump at both the indoor and outdoor conference championships. The three-time NCAA Championship qualifier finished fourth at the indoor championships to earn First Team All-America honors. He took earned First Team All-American distinction in the outdoor championships with a sixth-place finish in the long jump. On the track, Bridgett owns a share of two school records as he tied indoor 60-meter time and ran on the record-setting 4x100-meter relay team in the outdoor. Bridgett is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient.
Chloe Timberg - All American
Timberg turned in a record-setting rookie season en route to capturing silver at the indoor Big Ten Championships then following with gold at the outdoor conference championships. In her first career outdoor meet, Timberg established both the meet and facility records in the pole vault at the UCF Black & Gold Invitational. She later topped the school record in the event at the UofSC Open, her second school record after setting the indoor mark the Meyo Invitational on the campus of Notre Dame. Timberg advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, earning Second Team All-America honors.
Wrestling
Greg Bulsak - All American
Bulsak locked up All-America honors for the first time in his career with an eighth-place finish at 197 pounds during the 2022 NCAA Championships in Detroit. The graduate transfer from Clarion finished the 2021-22 season with a 26-9 record and produced 15 wins and 68 team points in dual action. Bulsak also placed at the Big Ten Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska and won an individual title at the 2021 Matmen Open after he defeated 2021 NCAA runner-up Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh).
Sebastian Rivera - All American
Rivera finished his final collegiate season with a 30-1 record en route to a third-place finish at NCAAs, becoming the fourth individual to secure a top-three finish at nationals for the Scarlet Knights in school history. Rivera finished as the nation's leader in tech falls this past season with 14 and won 25 of his matches by bonus points. Rivera wrapped up his collegiate career with five All-America laurels (four NCAA, one NWCA), two Big Ten individual titles and 115 career victories between his time at Rutgers and Northwestern.
