As boxes of All-LEC awards sit in Director of Athletics’ John Ratliff’s office, the jocks on campus have reason to be proud.
Many awards are given throughout the year, such as, “Athlete of the Week” and “All Academic LEC.” However, the All-LEC award is given to select players on each team that have had superb seasons.
“It feels really great,” sophomore volleyball player and recipient of the award, Madeleine Nossiff, said. “Being a sophomore you don’t really expect to get it.”
The athletes are selected by their coaches for first or second team All-LEC, receive a plaque and are usually recognized in public for their achievement and athletic ability.
“The main thing is, it is great recognition for a great season,” Ratliff said.
Photo Illustration by Brian Cantore / Photo Editor
“If you make first team all conference, it’s a big award.”
The number of players selected per team depends on how many athletes are on the team.
Basketball may have five or six while lacrosse could have up to 11 players selected. Field hockey had both offensive and defensive players of the year in Katlyn Simula and Samantha Smith respectively.
Athletes who received the award said they feel that apart from their skills on the field, they hope they earned the award for their behavior as well.
“It’s rewarding to know I can play with the best in my conference and division three,” senior goalkeeper on the men’s soccer team, Malcolm Cheney, said. “I lead by example, it’s good to feel recognized by the coaches and league.”
Cheney’s effort over the years gave him recognition despite a losing season this year and an injury that forced him to miss the end of the season.“I’m proud to be recognized, it shows that I can play and even though my career is over, I’ll still continue to play.”
Many of the players at KSC have won state championships in high school and have received all-state honors, a terrific accomplishment that the All-LEC award can compare to.
Nossiff won all-state in high school and said she plays better when her entire team is committed to trying their best every day.
“It’s fun to play with girls who really know what they’re doing, it’s a totally different dynamic. [In college] it’s a different level. This award means a lot.”
Nossiff, a sophomore, was surprised she received the award, especially with an always-changing roster and only being with the team one year prior to this season.
She said she believed she worked hard in the off-season and her competitive level increased after adjusting to Division III volleyball in her freshman year.
“I think it’s a huge transition. Freshman year you don’t know what to expect. It’s how far you want to take it, how good you want to be in the off-season, putting in the work,” she said.
Other awards given throughout the year include second team All-LEC, Player of the year, Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year.
If KSC has as much luck with those awards as they did with the All-LEC’s, the school will have to make room on the trophy shelf.
Stephen Aruilio can be contacted at saruilio@keene-equinox.com