Keene State Announces Athletic Awards

KEENE, N.H., 5/5/08 - Matt Johnson and Jennifer Adams were named Keene State College's male and female Athletes of the Year, respectively, at the College's 2007-08 Athletic Awards Dinner held Sunday night at Spaulding Gym.

In addition, Amy Dubois was the recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award, and the Keene State soccer team and men's cross country squad were presented with the Don Carle Award for having the highest cumulative GPA among Owl teams. Because the athletic season is not completed, players from the previous spring are eligible for awards.

The KSC Athletic Department also presented special Life Challenge awards to John Napolitano of the men's track team and women's basketball player Danielle Graveley.

Currently completing his fourth season as a member of the Keene State men's lacrosse team, Johnson has establish himself as one of the top goalies in Division III. Named to LAX News and Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America teams, the senior from Derry, N.H., is a three-time first-team All-LEC player and two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year. Last season, he earned honorable mention All-America recognition after posting the top save pct. (.713) and fourth best GAA (5.54) in Division III.

Preparing for the Division III NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships later this month, Adams has already had a sensational senior season on the trails and track. Named the cross-country regional and LEC Runner of the Year, the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., native became the first Owl woman to win the New England Regional. She placed ninth at the NCAA Championships, earning her second cross-country All-America honor. Racing to All-Division, New England Division III, and LEC honors, Adams capped her indoor track season by winning the national championships in the 5,000 and leading the DMR team to All-America honors. Adams, an eight-time All-American, will be looking to add to that total at the national outdoor meet.

A four-year starting midfielder for the KSC field hockey team, Dubois has been one of the team's most dependable players. Noted for her fine stick work and field awareness, the senior from Jefferson, N.H., has helped the Owls capture four consecutive LEC titles and NCAA berths. Dubois, a health promotion and fitness major from Jefferson, N.H., has also gotten the job done in the classroom, receiving LEC and National Field Hockey Coaches academic honors. Dubois leads the list of 103 student athletes and student athletic trainers who were named to the KSC All-Academic team (3.3 GPA or higher during the fall semester).

A thrower on the Keene State track team the past four years, Napolitano from Providence, R.I., epitomizes the word "life" in the Life Challenge award. During the winter semester break, he gave the gift of life, a kidney, to his mother Nancy, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Graveley, a senior guard, received the Life Challenge award for her dedication and determination to overcome two knee operations during her Owl career. One of the team's captains this past season, the Schenectady, N.Y., native helped the team with her athleticism and leadership.