Bob Gaudenzi Inducted Into the NWCA Hall of Fame

Hunter Hawks Athletics
@HunterAthletics
HunterAthletics
Hawk Talk
Winter 2016
The Official Hunter Athletic Alumni Newsletter
Winter Sports Recap
The swimming team had a fantastic season
after going undefeated in conference play and
then capturing its second-straight CUNYAC
Championship. The Hawks set several new
school records, including four relay times, as
sophomore Alexandra Rubiano was named
CUNYAC Performer of the Year.
The wrestling team had several wrestlers
qualify for the NCAA East Regionals as Jaydon
Rice, Dennis Melendez, David Naupari,
William Heine, Declan Gray and Nick Brutus
each traveled to Lexington, VA for the meet.
Melendez and Rice both punched tickets to
the NCAA Championships in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, after placing first and third respectively.
Rice, a two-time qualifier, fell to his initial two
opponents after facing tough competition.
Melendez wrestled in four matches on the
first day and capped his career with a 2-2
record. Melendez was also named a National
Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
for his efforts in the classroom.
The women’s basketball team finished the
season with a 10-17 record, while going
5-11 in conference play and making it to the
Bob Gaudenzi Inducted Into the
NWCA Hall of Fame
After being a part of Hunter for more than
30 seasons in all capacities from studentathlete, assistant coach, and the majority of
the time at the helm of the Hunter College
wrestling team, Bob Gaudenzi was inducted
into the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division III Hall
of Fame on March 10. Gaudenzi
joined the seven other inductees of the 2016 NWCA Hall of
Fame class at the NCAA Division
III Wrestling Championships in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The head coach of Hunter College wrestling from 1980 to
2009, Gaudenzi boasts one of
the most successful tenures in
Division III wrestling program
history. As Hunter’s all-time winningest coach, he has guided 13
NCAA All-Americans, including
the 2007 NCAA National Champion, Terry Madden. His success
also extends off the mat as he has coached
eight NCAA Academic All-Americans.
Gaudenzi was inducted into the Hunter
College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and
was then chosen as the 2007 NYC Beat the
Streets College Coach of the Year. He has
served as the president of the Metropolitan
Wrestling Conference Coaches Association
from 1988-2012 and was the secretary of
the New York State Collegiate Wrestling
Coaches Association from 2004-2010.
“Coach Gaudenzi invested tirelessly in
developing a competitive and respected
program,” said Hunter Director of Athletics,
Terry Wansart. “In my 30 plus years working
in athletics, I know that Coach Gaudenzi
epitomizes the foundation of coaching
which is teaching and supporting young
adults through the challenging times they
endure through their college years.”
Published by the Athletic Program
Hunter Hawks Athletics
@HunterAthletics
HunterAthletics
Hawk Talk
Winter 2016
The Official Hunter Athletic Alumni Newsletter
second round of the CUNYAC tournament
before falling to College of Staten Island. The
team was led by Ashley Yu’s 10.4 points per
game, while Ayanna Hudson led the Hawks
with 9.4 rebounds per game.
The men’s basketball team had a transition
year under first-year head coach John Pelin
but once again made it to the conference
tournament quarterfinals. Brian Kruger was
named a CUNYAC Second-Team All-Star after
leading the team with 15.6 points per game
and surpassed the 1000 career point mark.
The women’s indoor track and field team
took home the 2016 CUNYAC Championship
after scoring 140 points in the conference
meet. Kristy Carlin led the team in the meet
by placing first in the 800 meter run, placing
second in the high jump and long jump
and helping the 4x400 meter relay team to
a title. Carlin was named the Most Valuable
Performer for her efforts.
The men’s indoor track and field team placed
third at the CUNYAC Championships this
season, posting 86 points to trail behind
CCNY’s 124 points and York College’s 112
points. Walter Rodriguez had a fantastic
performance, placing first in three different
events, including the mile run, the 800 meter
run and the 5,000 meter run to be named the
CUNYAC Most Valuable Performer.
Fall Sports Recap
Highlights included women’s volleyball and women’s cross country teams winning the
CUNYAC Championships while the women’s tennis was the runner up. Men’s cross country
finished third and the men’s soccer team made it to the quarterfinal round of the CUNYAC
tournament. Women’s volleyball made an NCAA Tournament appearance courtesy of their
conference championship.
Overall, the Hawks earned five major award winners, two Tournament MVP’s, five ECAC
All-Star selections and 18 donned with CUNYAC All-Star status. Julia Connolly of women’s
volleyball was named the Player of the Year and Tournament MVP while teammate Miranda
Hogan took home Rookie of the Year kudos. Women’s cross country swept the major awards
with Deborah Ramirez earning Performer of the Year as well as meet MVP, Tiffany Merlinsky
being named the Rookie of the Year and first year Head Coach Daniel Selsky taking home
Coach of the Year.
Bob Gaudenzi Inducted Into the NWCA Hall of Fame
Gaudenzi currently resides in Hazlet, NJ and
coaches softball and swimming at Hunter
College High School. Additionally, he remains active in the wrestling community.
Gaudenzi is one of eight that were part of
the 2016 induction class. His fellow inductees included the following members:
Akeem Carter – Wartburg College
Bob Gaudenzi – Hunter College
Henry Gerten – Augsburg College
Cody Koenig – U. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Dick Simmons- Cornell College
Randy Steward- Loras College
Jimmy Wallace- Wilmington College
Scott Whirley- Augsburg College
The men’s fencing team went 4-20 this season,
earning wins over Drew University, Yeshiva
University, Army and College of William &
Mary. Five qualified for NCAA Regionals.
The women’s fencing team recorded three
wins this season, defeating Lafayette
College, LIU Post and Yeshiva University.
Allison Berdichevsky has led the team, most
recently placing second in foil at the NIWFA
Championships. At the NCAA Regional, Allison
Berdichevsky was the Hawk’s top finisher in
16th in foil.
Published by the Athletic Program