Ledwith and Johnson Named 2008-09 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. – Iona College men’s cross country/track and field standout Andrew Ledwith and Fairfield University women’s soccer notable Ahna Johnson were named the 2008-09 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year, by the league’s sports information directors.
The MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration created the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award in October 2001 to recognize overall excellence in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Each MAAC member selected one male and one female nominee for the honor. The conference sports information directors vote to determine one overall winner for men and women. The conference awards honorable mention accolades to each nominee. Nominees must have at least a 3.2 overall grade point average, be in their second year of residence at the institution, and be a starter or important reserve on their team.
“These two All-Americans are representative of the MAAC’s mission to have student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the fields of play,” MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor noted. “I congratulate Ahna and Andrew, their coaches and institutions for their accomplishment and wish them continued success in their careers.”
Ledwith, a senior distance runner from Athboy, Ireland, led the Gaels to a second-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championship with a third-place finish in the 10k race – the second highest finish in school history. He earned All-American honors for the performance, as well as All-Northeast Region Honors (5k) and All-MAAC honors (fifth place) in cross country. Ledwith was the top Irish finisher at the European Cross Country Championships in December and 37th overall. He won the 5k race at the 2009 MAAC Indoor Track Championships for the second straight year. Ledwith qualified for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track Championship (10k), earning his first collegiate IC4A championship in the event. He finished fifth in the 10k at the NCAA Championship on June 11 for his second All-American honor of the year. A nine-time MAAC All-Academic selection and a member of the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Men's Track & Field/Cross Country First Team, Ledwith earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and management with a 3.89 GPA.
Johnson, a 5-foot-10 senior midfielder from Hamden, Conn., became the first player in program history to earn NSCAA/adidas All-America accolades, being named to the third team in December 2008. She followed that in January 2009 by being named to the SoccerBuzz All-America Fourth Team. Johnson also collected NSCAA/adidas First Team All-Northeast Region accolades, as well as being named the 2008 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. Last season, she led the Stags with 15 goals, including seven game-winning tallies, and 34 points, in leading the team to a 15-5-3 record. Johnson played in 81 career games (fourth all-time) and finished with 79 starts (second all-time). Her 29 goals are fifth-most of any player in Stags history, while ranking fourth with 10 career game-winning goals. Johnson finished her career with 71 points, which is the sixth most in the program's history. She was the first player in program history to earn NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-America First Team Accolades. Johnson was also named ESPN The Magazine First Team All-America as selected by CoSIDA, was named to the NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-East Region First Team and was a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics/information systems with a 3.97 GPA.
“Ahna is truly deserving of this award and we are extremely proud of all of her accomplishments,” Fairfield Director of Athletics Gene Doris said. “Throughout her career she epitomized the Jesuit ideals of Fairfield University and excelled in the classroom, on the field, and in service to the community. For her to be selected for this award from among all the outstanding student-athletes in the conference is a great tribute to Ahna.”
Honorable mentions were awarded to the following nominees: Canisius College – Adam Jones (men’s lacrosse), Marie Warner (women’s basketball); Fairfield University – R.J. Zielinski (men’s golf); Iona College –Lauren Peterson (water polo); Loyola College – Michael Mulieri (golf), Sarra Moller (women’s soccer); Manhattan College – Ruben Perez (baseball), Malin Marmbrandt (women’s track and field); Marist College – Ryan Schneider (men’s basketball), Melissa Giordano (softball); Niagara University – John Fiutowski (men’s soccer), Stephanie Gartley (women’s soccer/swimming); Rider University – Eric Lefante (golf), Priscilla Modrov (women’s swimming and diving); Saint Peter’s College – Assaf Sheleg (men’s soccer), Tania Kennedy (women’s basketball); Siena College – Stephen Skonieczny (men’s soccer); April London (volleyball).