Even with one more year left in their careers, these 15 juniors have played each game, competed in each meet, and fought in each bout as if it was their last time donning the carnelian and white. Because of their efforts, this year’s class has earned a cornucopia of awards, but more importantly, helped their teams win — making fans of Cornell athletics even more pleased that these individuals will be back next season.
Jon Amoona, Sprint Football
Amoona was one of the main catalysts in the sprint football team’s two wins this year. The wide receiver caught six passes for 133 yards and a touchdown in the Red’s 32-19 win over Princeton on Oct. 15. A week later at Schoellkopf Field, Amoona had another spectacular game, gaining 101 yards on five receptions against Penn. One of these receptions was a 45-yard touchdown pass with 7:55 left in the game, which proved decisive in the Red’s 34-27 victory over the Quakers.
Joe Boulukos, Men’s Lacrosse
The midfielder from Huntington, N.Y., has continued to terrorize defenses in his junior year, scoring 25 goals and adding 13 assists as the third leading point earner on the men’s lacrosse team going into tomorrow’s final regular season game against Hobart. Boulukos was instrumental in leading the Red to victory over regional rival Syracuse on April 12. His career-high seven-goal, one-assist performance led his team to a 16-14 win against the Orange and gave Cornell its first win at the Carrier Dome since 1987.
Stefano Caprara, Men’s Swimming
Caprara, who was named team MVP along with the rest of the 400-medley relay squad, was Cornell’s lone representative in the NCAA swimming and diving championships at the University of Minnesota this year. Prior to going to Minnesota, Caprara smashed the Cornell 100 and 200 backstroke records — times which were in the top-40 nationally, placed him second at the EISL championships and helped the junior qualify for nationals. At the NCAAs, Caprara finished 29th in the 100 and 200 backstroke preliminaries. Caprara also broke Cornell’s 200 IM record this year.
William Cheng, Men’s Squash
Cheng established himself as one of the stars of the No. 6 Cornell quash team, earning first team All-Ivy honors for his contributions this year. He compiled a 14-6 record overall and went 4-2 in Ivy play. While he fell in the first round of the CSA Individual Championships at Dartmouth, he rallied back to win the consolation draw. At the end of the season, Cheng was one of two Red players who earned All-American second team honors and finished the season 17th in the CSA national rankings.
Lenny Collins, Men’s Basketball
One of the main reasons for the men’s basketball team’s second place finish in the Ivies is Collins, an All-Ivy first team selection. The San Juan Capistrano, Calif., native led the Red in scoring (13.3) and assists (2.4) per game and was also selected as a first team Academic All-District selection by ESPN The Magazine. The forward reached double figures in scoring in 20 games and shot 45 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free throw line — good for second in the Ancient Eight. Collins arguably had his best weekend against Brown and Yale on Feb. 2 and 3, when he averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 boards and 3.0 assists — helping him earn Ivy League co-Player of the Week honors.
Bruce Hyde, Men’s Cross Country and Track
After taking a year and a half off from school to train with several top NCAA distance runners, Hyde won an individual championship at Heptagonals — becoming the first Cornell runner to win the competition since 1993. Hyde proceeded to win the NCAA’s Northeast Regional championships, qualifying for nationals, where he earned All-American honors after placing 27th. He is the first Cornell runner to accomplish this since 1993. During the indoor track season, Hyde continued his dominating form, coming in second in the 3,000 at the indoor Heps competition in February. His most recent accomplishment was helping the Red’s distance medley relay and 4xmile squads to third and fifth place finishes, respectively, at the Penn Relays.
Shane Hynes, Men’s Ice Hockey
A key force on the Red’s power play and in front of the crease, Hynes recorded a stellar 2004-05 season, contributing seven goals and a team-high 21 assists — three of which came during a3-0 win over Canisius on Nov. 27. His 28 points ranked second on the team, as the junior scored two crucial goals and added a pair of assists in the Red’s 2-0 home sweep of Clarkson during the quarterfinals of the ECACHL conference tournament. Hynes was recently named assistant captain for the 2005-06 squad.
Kara Ishikawa, Women’s Soccer
While the Red finished 1-5-1 in Ivy play, one of the few bright spots was the play of Ishikawa, who was an All-Ivy second team selection. As one of the main sparks of the Cornell offense, Ishikawa scored four goals — including two game-winners — this year. One of those scores came against Lafayette, which gave the Red its first win on Sept. 11. Ishikawa was one of two Red players to start in all 17 games this year and she constantly had a nose for the goal — taking a team-high 36 shots.
Dustin Manotti, Wrestling
Manotti continued his spectacular career on the East Hill by becoming a three-time All-American this year — only the fourth Ivy League wrestler to accomplish this feat. Similar to last year, Manotti stormed through the competition, winning the Las Vegas Invitational and beating Oklahoma State’s then-No. 1 Zach Esposito at the National Duals. After beating five NCAA qualifiers in the regular season and being ranked the top wrestler in several polls, Manotti recorded a runner-up performance at the EIWA championships heading into the NCAA tournament. At nationals, Manotti progressed through the tournament to the semifinal round where he fell to Esposito, and then ended up with a sixth-place finish — helping his team to a spectacular fourth-place finish.
Brett McKeon, Men’s Tennis
The No. 1 singles player for the men’s tennis team, McKeon helped lead the Red to a 3-4 record (11-10 overall) this season. McKeon, who normally faces an opposing team’s top player, notched a 14-16 record in singles, and was 12-12 in doubles play. In the team’s final match of the season, McKeon beat Princeton’s Josh Burman (7-5, 6-3), even though the Red fell to the Tigers, 4-3.
Matt Moulson, Men’s Ice Hockey
Arguably the most dangerous player on the men’s hockey team, Moulson led the Red in scoring for the second consecutive season, becoming the first Cornell player in nine years to reach the 20 goal mark with 22 goals and 20 assists. Moulson has proved to be a threat in important games, recording a pair of assists in the Red’s first round victory over Ohio State in the NCAA West Regional. Part of the 100-point club, Moulson earned first-team All-ECACHL and second team All-American honors and will serve as Cornell’s captain for the 2005-06 season.
Kristen Rayhack, Diving
Rayhack had a phenomenal junior campaign as a standout performer for the women’s swimming and diving team. At the Ivy Championships, Rayhack took third place in both the one and three meter dive competitions in a field of 24 divers. Afterwards, Rayhack also competed at the NCAA Zone A Diving championships held at the U.S. Naval Academy. There, Rayhack finished fifth in the three meter competition and sixth in the one meter, facing tough competition.
Kevin Rex, Football
Rex was one of the main components in the Red’s stifling defense this year. The All-Ivy second team selection lead Cornell in tackles with 86. In addition, he also was among the team leaders in sacks (3.0), interceptions (2) and tackles for a loss (7.5). Forcing a league-high four fumbles this season, he stepped in for injured senior Joel Sussman mid-season and was key in Cornell’s 32-26 comeback win over Columbia on Nov. 13. In that game, Rex recorded career-high 14 tackles and a sack.
Brian Romney, Football
Romney, this year’s Offensive Re
d Helmet Award winner — an honor giving to the team’s top player on offense — was an All-Ivy honorable mention selection. He led the team and was ranked in the top-5 in the Ancient Eight in receiving yards per game (76) and receptions (60). Catching three touchdown passes and also starting in all of the Red’s 10 games, Romney was also the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 1. Romney averaged almost 13 yards per catch and also took the role of primary punt returner, where he was fourth in the Ivies in return yardage.
Allison Schindler, Women’s Lacrosse
One of the main threats on the women’s lacrosse team, Schindler, who has started in each of the Red’s 14 games, has recorded a team-high 12 goals to go along with 11 goals this season. Helping lead the young Red squad, Schindler was named Tompkins Trust Company/Cornell Athlete of the Week on March 29 for her stellar eight-goal, one-assist weekend in which the Red recorded wins over No. 13 Ohio State and No. 14 Penn. She scored a career-high six goals against the Quakers to help rally the Red, while also recording a pair of scores in the victory over the Buckeyes.
Archived article by Brian Tsao
Sun Assistant Sports Editor