MCCC Athlete of the Week


Week of Mar. 8-14
Co-Athletes: Men's and Women's Basketball

Uros Kovacevic
Sophomore
Montenegro

Ivan Uskokovic High Sch.

Alexis Sweet
Freshman
Trenton, N.J.
Trenton High School


The excellent seasons of the Mercer County Community College basketball teams are reflected in individual all-star honors, led by freshman forward Alexis Sweet (Trenton, N.J.) being named to both the Region 19 and Garden State Athletic Conference first teams. The 5-foot-8 Sweet averaged a double-double of points and rebounds for the 21-9 Lady Vikings and ranks in the Top 10 in scoring in NJCAA Division II.

On the men's side, Uros Kovacevic
(Montenegro) earned GSAC first team and Region19 second team honors.The sophomore guard/forward leads the Vikings in scoring and is tied for the lead in assists. He will play a pivotal role in this week's NJCAA Division II Championships in Danville, Ill.
Alexis Sweet
Uros Kovacevic

Week of Mar. 1-7

Quentin Loftin
Men's Basketball
Sophomore
Florence, NJ
Florence High School

Earning its first Region 19 title since 1998 on Mar. 2, the men's basketball team has benefited greatly from the strong performance of sophomore guard Quentin Loftin, a starter for all 32 games. Known as a defensive specialist, Loftin came up big on the offensive end last Tuesday when he poured in 12 points to help a balanced scoring attack that featured all five starters scoring in double figures. Loftin's tough, gritty play on both ends of the floor will be key during the National Tournament.


Week of Feb. 22-28


Isaiah Andrews
Men's Basketball
Freshman
Florence, NJ
Burlington Twp. High School


The men's basketball team is one win away from advancing to the Division II National Tournament, thanks in part to the solid play of freshman forward Isaiah Andrews. Andrews had 17 points and 4 rebounds in MCCC's Region 19 quarterfinal win over Essex Feb. 23, followed by 13 points and 4 rebounds in their semi-final victory over Del Tech Stanton Feb. 28. Heading into the title game, Andrews is averaging 11.8 points and 6.9 rebounds. He has been a powerful presence in the post for the Vikings, who will need his consistent play on both ends of the floor to help lead them to the Nationals.


Week of Feb. 14-20


Jenn Casper
Women's Basketball
Ivyland, PA
Council Rock North High School


An ACL injury in the Lady Vikes' first game cut short a promising season for sophomore forward Jenn Casper. Still, Jenn attends every practice and game, cheering on teammates and rehabbing daily to get ready for basketball at a four-year college next year. Her dedication on and off the court sets an example about her work ethic and commitment as an athlete and student. The Liberal Arts major hopes to continue to strengthen her knee so she can build on the 7.1 points per game and 7.8 rebounds she averaged in her first season at Mercer.


Week of Feb. 7-13


Derek Williams
Men's Basketball
Sophomore
Willingboro, N.J.
Willingboro High School

Derek Williams' play at point guard has led Mercer on a seven-game winning streak that has included wins over Raritan, Ocean, Burlington and Del Tech in the last two weeks. The sophomore has averaged double figures in scoring (14 points per game) and dished out 24 assists over these four games. His leadership and steady play over the next few weeks are key as the Vikings look to advance in the Region 19 Tournament, which begins next week.


Week of Jan. 30-Feb. 6
Co-Athletes: Men's Soccer

Amit Aburmad
Tel Aviv, Israel
Ido Ligety
Tevan, Israel

Midfielders Amit Aburmad (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Ido Ligety (Tevan, Israel) have accepted full scholarships to contine their academic and soccer careers at Div. I colleges in fall 2010. Aburmad will attend Boston College of the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Ligety will play soccer for St. John's of the Big East.

Ligety was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America second-team All-American in 2009. Aburmad was a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American in 2008 and led MCCC with 13 goals and eight assists in 2009. Both players were All-Region 19 first-team selections.

Ligety and Aburmad are Dean's List students studying Business Administration.

 

Amit Aburmad, left, and Ido Ligety

 

 

 


Week of Jan. 18-24


Samantha Cobbs
Women's Basketball
Sophomore
Bordentown, N.J.
Bordentown High School

Team captain Samantha Cobbs has been a solid leader, even as she grapples with a nagging hamstring problem. She contributes in all the small ways that add up to team success. In the Lady Vikes' last two wins, "Cobbie" scored 12 pts. in an 81-79 victory over Union CC on Jan. 21 and hit 9 pts. against Camden on Jan. 23.


Week of Jan. 11-17

Paco Boussougou
Men's Basketball
Sophomore
Gabon
Laurinberg

Paco Boussougou has come on strong for MCCC as its leading rebounder and second-highest scorer. The 6-foot-4 big man had a pair of double-doubles while the Vikings split a pair of games in New England earlier this month. He had a double-double in the 73-65 win over Middlesex on Saturday. The prior week, he had 19 points and 13 rebounds in a 73-59 victory over Massassoit, and 13 points and 11 boards in a 71-65 loss to the Community College of Rhode Island. The Vikings have a 9-9 record.


Week of Jan. 4-10


Azaria Crews
Women's Basketball
Freshman
Ewing, N.J.
Ewing High School

Azaria Crews proved pivotal in the Vikings' last three games, earning 21 points and 11 rebounds in a win against Manor on Jan. 5; 8 points and 7 rebounds vs. Community College of Rhode Island on Jan. 9; and 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn Avery Point on Jan. 10. She was named Player of the Year in the CVC as a senior in high school and was recently selected to the all-decade third team by the Trenton Times.


Week of Dec. 14-20

Uros Kovacevic
Men's Basketball
Sophomore
Montenegro

Ivan Uskokovic High School

What MCCC men’s basketball coach Howard Levy especially likes about Uros Kovacevic is that he can play any position, making him a valuable all-round contributor. The 6-foot-4 forward collected 18 points, five assists and three rebounds in the Dec. 18 game against FIT. He is averaging 14 points, 4.5 assists and four rebounds for the Vikings (5-8), who are on a mid-season break until Jan. 5.

Week of Nov. 30-Dec. 6

Co-Athletes of the Week: Baseball
James Page
Sophomore
Lawrenceville, N.J.
Cherry Hill High School West

Russell Stupienski
Sophomore
Columbus, N.J.
Northern Burlington Regional High School

It’s always a thrill for a two-year college when a student-athlete earns a scholarship to a four-year program. MCCC’s baseball program has doubled that achievement in recent weeks and will send both James Page and Russ Stupienski to the same four-year school next year after both signed national letters of intent with Saint Peter’s College of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Page is a 6’4”, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, while the 5’8”, 180-pound Stupienski is a catcher, first baseman and pitcher. Both players will be key members of this coming spring’s squad, which hopes to build on the Vikings’ 27-15 season in 2009.

James Page
Russ Stupienski


Week of Nov. 30-Dec. 6

Frank Tweneboa
Men's Soccer
Sophomore
Pennsauken, N.J.
Pennsauken High School

Recognition for MCCC’s outstanding forward has reached far beyond Region 19 and the Garden State Athletic Conference. Frank Tweneboa has been named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-American first team. The versatile Tweneboa had three goals and seven assists for the Vikings’ 14-2 squad and helped the program win 33 games during his two seasons.


Week of Nov. 23-29

Alexis Sweet
Women's Basketball
Freshman
Trenton, N.J.
Trenton High School

Alexis Sweet posted back-to-back double-doubles to lead MCCC to a pair of victories at its Holiday Classic: 21 points and 12 rebounds against the CCRI, and 20 points and 13 rebounds against CCBC-Dundalk. For the week, the 5’8” forward averaged 19.7 points and 11 rebounds in three games. Head coach Mike Tenaglia says Sweet attacks the basket better than any player in his 20 seasons at MCCC.


Week of Nov. 16-22


Samantha Foley
Women's Basketball
Sophomore
Hamilton, N.J.
Nottingham High School


The Vikings' tallest player came up big in an 81-73 loss to Harcum College. The versatile, 6-foot forward scored 16 points while shooting 7-for-9 from the floor. She picked up a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds and added two assists and two blocked shots. Foley is a two-year starter for the Vikings (1-2), who play three times this week.


Week of Nov. 9-15

Marcus Jimenez
Men's Basketball
Sophomore
Vineland, N.J.
Vineland High School

Marcus Jimenez helped MCCC to a split of two games. An excellent outside shooter, the 5-foot-8 guard has been contributing in many ways already this season. One of his better all-around games occurred this past week against Harford Community College, when he had 12 points, four rebounds and one steal. The Vikings are 2-2 overall.


Week of Nov. 2-8

Frank Tweneboa
Men's Soccer
Sophomore
Pennsauken, N.J.
Pennsauken High School

The two-year standout at forward made the All-Region 19 and All-Garden State Athletic Conference first team and has been nominated for National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors. Tweneboa had three goals and seven assists for the Vikings’ 14-2 squad.


Week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1


Carolyn Walters
Women’s Soccer
Sophomore
Hamilton, N.J.
Nottingham High School

As MCCC repeated as the Region 19 Division I champs, forward Carolyn Walters scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over Burlington County College in the final on Oct 31. The Liberal Arts major also scored in the Vikings’ 5-1 semifinal-round win over Sussex County College on Oct. 28. The Vikings next play in the National Junior College Athletic Association District G tournament, which will be played Nov. 6-8 in Monroe, NY.

Week of Oct. 19-25

Co-Athletes of the Week:
Women’s Tennis

Maria Eldridge
Sophomore
Lawrenceville, N.J.
Lawrence High School

Sachiko Nishida
Freshman
Princeton, N.J.
Kudan High School (Tokyo)

Maria Eldridge and Sachiko Nishida were both singles runners-up at the Region 19 Championships, held Oct. 23-24. MCCC finished third as a team behind champion Gloucester County College and second-place Brookdale Community College. Eldridge reached the No. 4 final with a 6-0, 6-1 win in the semifinals. With an 11-8 record, she led the Vikings in singles wins this season.

Nishida, playing at her first regional championships, also won in straight sets in the semifinals en route to the No. 6 final.

 

 

Maria Eldridge
Sachiko Nishida

Week of Oct. 12-18

Rebecca Wolf
Women’s Tennis
Sophomore
Pennington, N.J.
Hopewell Valley High School

Women’s tennis coach Marc Vecchiolla lauds Rebecca Wolf for her leadership qualities. Her tennis ability isn’t bad, either. The sophomore posted an impressive 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles against powerful Gloucester County College on Oct. 13. Wolf is a baseliner who finishes off points with her forehand. This weekend, the Liberal Arts student majoring in Psychology will try to repeat as the No. 2 singles champion and No. 1 doubles champ (with partner Kristina Holsman) at the Region 19 Championships, hosted by Gloucester.

Week of Oct. 5-11

Ido Ligety
Men's Soccer
Sophomore
Tivan, Israel
Ort Tivon


Sophomore Ido Ligety continues to anchor the midfield for Mercer's men's soccer team as the Vikings look to qualify for their ninth straight National Tournament. On the season, Ligety has 2 goals and 4 assists and has helped MCCC to a 11-1 record. Ido's dominance in the midfield has drawn the attention of some top Division I programs, where he hopes to transfer next year. Ligety's strong offensive and defensive play helped Mercer to a 3-1 victory over Union Oct. 5 and 3-0 win at Essex Oct. 9.

Week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4

Kasey Kenny
Women’s Soccer
Sophomore
Staten Island, N.Y.
Tottenville High School

Kasey Kenny is making a bid for National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-American honors for the second straight year. The high-scoring forward pumped in seven goals as MCCC won three games by a combined 14-0 last week, including a hat trick in the Vikings’ 7-0 victory over Bucks County Community College. One season after scoring 29 goals as a freshman, Kenny has 17 goals during the Vikings’ 9-3 start.

Week of Sept. 21-27

Emily Dow
Women’s Tennis
Sophomore
Princeton Junction, N.J.
West Windsor-Plainsboro North

Emily Dow advanced to the quarterfinals of ‘A’ flight singles and semifinals of ‘A’ flight doubles with partner Rebecca Wolf at the Second Women’s Northeast Regional ITA/Wilson Tennis Championship, hosted by MCCC at Mercer County Park. Dow, a key returnee from last year’s NJCAA Division III Championship qualifying squad, won two matches in each flight.

Week of Sept. 14-20

Carolyn Walters
Women’s Soccer
Sophomore
Hamilton, N.J.
Nottingham High School

With some MCCC forwards battling through injuries, Carolyn Walters has increased her leadership role and continues to produce offensively. She scored a goal in a 2-0 win over Ocean County College and had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over Dean College. Her four goals tie for the team lead.

Week of Sept. 7-13

Amit Aburmad
Men’s Soccer
Sophomore
Tel Aviv, Israel
Berl Katenelson HS of Education

Amit Aburmad is dictating play this season as he did in 2008 en route to NJCAA Division I All-American honors and the Vikings' third place national finish. The midfielder scored twice and delivered three assists as MCCC won its first two games by a combined 10-2 goal total.

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