FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NE10 Awards Show Scheduled for Thursday, June 9.
MANSFIELD, Mass. – Of the 14 institutional nominees for both the Northeast-10 Conference Man and Woman of the Year awards, the lists have been narrowed down to three finalists each, as announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.
Finalists for the NE10 Man and Woman of the Year awards this year represent six different schools and five different sports. The announcement of award recipients will be made the night of Thursday, June 9, on the NE10's YouTube page.
The NE10 Man and Woman of the Year awards honor student-athletes for their excellence in competition, in the classroom and in the community. The Woman of the Year award winner will be forwarded to the NCAA for their National Woman of the Year award, serving as the NE10's nomination.
Each of the league's 14 member institutions nominated at least one student-athlete for each award and the 29 total nominations were released on May 18.
For information on our finalists, please see below.
NE10 Man of the Year Finalists
Devan Sheth, Assumption
Sport: Ice Hockey
Undergraduate Major: Biology
Undergraduate GPA: 3.774
Sheth has found numerous ways to make an impact during his time at Assumption. In addition to his accomplishments on the ice - which include helping the Greyhounds to the 2021-22 NE10 Championship - he served as president of Assumption's SAAC and represented his school on the NE10's Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He has taken part in community projects such as the Pernet Household Thanksgiving Food Drive and served as a Vaccine Corp UMASS Medical Volunteer in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sheth, the 2018-19 NE10 Rookie of the Year, was named a Second Team All-Conference selection following the 2021-22 campaign.
Riley Fenoff, Franklin Pierce
Sport: Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Undergraduate Major: Psychology
Undergraduate GPA: 4.0
Graduate Program: MBA in Leadership
Graduate GPA: 4.0
Fenoff has been a longtime contributor to the Franklin Pierce men's cross country and track & field programs - serving as captain for all three teams. His perfect 4.0 GPA in both his undergraduate and graduate programs led Fenoff to becoming president of the PSI CHI National Honor Society and he has given back to his community by working with younger athletes at the St. Johnsbury Recreation program.
Joseph Fiorino, Southern New Hampshire
Sport: Ice Hockey
Undergraduate Major: 3.94
Undergraduate GPA: Business Administration
Graduate Program: Business Administration
Graduate GPA: 3.91
Fiorino, the 2021-22 NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, has developed a well-balanced portfolio of work since attending SNHU. He served in a leadership position with "Stick It To Stigma", an initiative to spread awareness about mental health among student-athletes, as well as worked on SAAC and dedicated time to supporting Team IMPACT while at Southern New Hampshire. Fiorino also served as Presidential Ambassador, engaging with local and university communities - as well as the SNHU president - to address student concerns across campus and provide support to the Manchester community.
Fiorino was named First Team All-Conference selection and a New England All-Star following the 2021-22 season.
NE10 Woman of the Year Finalists
Jackie Brown, Adelphi
Sport: Field Hockey
Undergraduate Major: 3.94
Undergraduate GPA: Management
Brown has done a little bit of everything since attending Adelphi. Most recently, she was named a NFHCA First Team All-American and served as Co-Chair of the NE10's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, in addition to her duties as Adelphi SAAC President. She is a two-time team captain, but has not only led on the field, but in the community. Brown has taken part in numerous community activities, including events for Make-A-Wish, Island Harvest, Tunnel to Towers, Read Across America and visiting the Ronald McDonald House.
Brown was named a First Team All-Conference selection and is a multi-time All-American (Second Team in 2019).
Jessica Akiona, New Haven
Sport: Volleyball
Undergraduate Major: Health Sciences
Undergraduate GPA: 3.98
Akiona, New Haven's team captain during the 2021 season, has achieved high marks both on and off the court - specifically through her service to the community. She has participated in events for suicide prevention and mental health awareness through Fresh Check Day, as well as by serving as an intern on the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board. She has also volunteered her time in preschools and elementary schools.
Akiona is an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference selection.
Marika Laurendeau, Saint Rose
Sport: Women's Soccer
Undergraduate Major: 3.81
Undergraduate GPA: Biology
Graduate Program: MBA
Graduate GPA: 3.95
Laurendeau has made a huge impact in her time at Saint Rose, most recently leading her team to an NCAA Women's Soccer Championship runner-up finish during the 2021 season. She has been an active SAAC participant on her campus, participating in book drives, pajama drives and a walk for cancer awareness. She has also volunteered at local schools in her community, while being an active member with Team IMPACT and Saint Rose's partnership with the organization. Laurendeau is a three-time team captain.
She is a First Team All-American, First Team All-East Region and First Team All-Conference selection, as well as the NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 student-athletes compete in conference championships, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.