Eleven Student-Athletes Named to 2013 USCAA National All-Academic Team

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – 11 student-athletes from St. Joseph’s were honored for their academic achievements during the 2012-2013 school year. Raul Urshela (Orlando, FL/Colonial) and Javier Bosque (Brooklyn, NY/LaSalle Academy) from men’s volleyball, Victoria LoBosco (Glendale, NY/Archbishop Molloy), Danielle Marino (Maspeth, NY/Mary Louis), Teresa Mangan (Cleveland, OH/St. Joseph’s), Krysta Verdone (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) and Patricia Nealon (Maspeth, NY/St. Francis Prep) from women’s tennis and Haley Betancourt (New York, NY/St. Vincent Ferrer), Erin Collins (Breezy Point, NY/Fontbonne Hall), Jaclyn Montana (Brooklyn, NY/Bay Ridge Prep) and Laura Sonnylal (Richmond Hill, NY/Archbishop Molloy) from women’s swimming were recently named to the 2013 Non-United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Sports National All-Academic Team.

The accolade is the first for each Bear and Lady Bear besides Urshela who was named to the All-Academic Team for men’s soccer while Marino and Mangan took home All-Academic Team honors in women’s basketball. Verdone received All-Academic Team honors in women’s soccer.

Urshela, a sophomore appeared and started in all 21 matches for the Bears leading the team with 208 kills and 159 digs as the Bears set a school-record with seven wins. The outside hitter thrived on the defensive end as he finished the season with a team-high 60 blocks. Urshela set a career-high and school-record with his 24 kills in St. Joseph’s HVMAC Tournament match versus Sarah Lawrence.

Bosque, a junior played in 17 matches recording nine kills and 72 digs on the year. The outside hitter had a career-high three kills and 12 digs in the Bears victory over Webb Institute.

LoBosco, a sophomore spent the majority of the season in the No. 1 singles position finishing with a 3-8 mark in singles in her rookie season and was named to the HVWAC All-Conference Team. LoBosco advanced to the semifinals of the HVWAC Tournament, falling to the eventual overall champion.

Marino, a senior appeared in five singles matches playing at No 4 and No. 5 singles compiling a 1-4 record at both singles and doubles.

Mangan, a senior played in six singles matches compiling a 1-5 record and appeared in eight doubles matches primarily at No. 3 doubles compiling a 3-5 record overall.

Nealon, a senior played in six matches mainly at No. 3 and No. 4 singles finishing 0-6. Nealon finished her four-year career with 11 singles victories which ranks second all-time in St. Joseph’s history.

Verdone, a junior produced the lone upset of a seeded player at HVWAC Tennis Championships, advancing to the No. 3 singles championship. Verdone compiled a 3-5 singles record primarily and tabulated a 2-5 record in doubles matches primarily at No. 2 doubles.

Betancourt, a junior swam in four meets setting a career-best time of 7:52.07 in the 500 Yard Freestyle against Sarah Lawrence. Betancourt also had a personal-best time of 48.34 in the 50 yard breaststroke at New Rochelle and Post.

Collins, a sophomore swam in four meets mainly at the 100 Free setting a personal-best time of 1:12.12 against Lehman. Collins also set a career-best time of 41.88 in the 50 yard backstroke in double dual meet against New Rochelle and Post.

Montana, a sophomore appeared in four meets in the 100 yard butterfly setting a career-best time of 1:24.31 against Notre Dame (MD). Montana also set a personal-best time of 36.95 in the 50 yard butterfly at New Rochelle and Post.

Sonnylal, a senior and HVWAC All-Conference selection set a personal-best time of 31.06 in the 50 yard freestyle against Sarah Lawrence. The senior also set a career-best time of 1:10.46 in 100 yard freestyle in double dual meet against New Rochelle and Post.

National All-Academic award winners are upperclassmen who have earned a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher in their college career.