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Local collegiate athletes garner regional, national awards |
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GREATER SPRINGFIELD — Area natives continue to make names for themselves in the world of collegiate athletics.
Four athletes who call Western Massachusetts home recently earned recognition for their efforts.
Western New England College senior Alex Dos Santos of Ludlow made school history on Dec. 11 when he was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-American Team for the second straight season.
Dos Santos, a midfielder and team captain, was a third-team selection. He was a second team All-America selection last year.
A Finance major, Dos Santos is the first player WNEC's 45-year history to gain All-America recognition in consecutive seasons.
He will receive his award at the All-American Luncheon on January 15, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore, Md.
"Our sincerest congratulations to Alex on his second consecutive All-American select-ion," said Western New England College men's soccer coach Erin Sullivan. "It is a well-deserved honor to conclude his tremendous collegiate career. His technical ability, defensive tenacity and leadership are among the best I have witnessed at any level, and made him one of the top two-way players in the nation.
Western New England College senior Alex Dos Santos of Ludlow made school history on Dec. 11 when he was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III All-American Team for the second straight season.
"Alex has been the consummate leader and an exemplary scholar-athlete and it has been a privilege to coach him the last three years. He demanded the highest standard of performance from himself and his teammates and he repeatedly rose to the occasion when our team needed him most."
Earlier this season, Dos Santos was named The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Player-of-the-Year. He was a three-time All-TCCC performer.
Recognized as one of the top defensive midfielders in the nation, Dos Santos also was among the team's top scorers with 15 points — 4 goals, team-high seven assists.
He compiled 30 points —10 goals, 10 assists — in 65 career matches over three seasons.
With Dos Santos helping to lead the way, Western New England College posted a 15-7-2 record this past season that tied as the third highest win total in the program's history.
The Golden Bears placed second in the conference with a 10-2-1 mark and advanced to the semifinals of the league tourn-ament.
Western New England College finished second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division 3 New England Championship.
East Longmeadow's Gina Calabrese was one of four members of the Springfield College women's soccer team to earn All-New England honors from the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA).
Calabrese, who was honored to the second team, has been a rock in the defensive third for the Pride during her career at Springfield. She started all 20 games this season for a defensive unit that allowed just 13 goals all year.
She also tacked on a pair of assists as she was a threat all season to come forward and attack out of the back.
Colby College field hockey player Hali Castleman of Wilbraham earned both New England Small College Athletic Conference All-Sportsmanship and All-Academic honors for the 2010 season.
Castleman started all 14 games for the Mules, playing the right side on defense. She also had her first collegiate assist in a win against New England College.
Castleman also earned NESCAC All-Academic honors for the 2009 season.
Westfield State University freshman sprinter Zachery Madera of Southwick was selected the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's indoor track athlete of the week.
Madera posted a pair of first place performances in the 55 meter dash (6.79) and the 200 meter dash (23.46) for the Owls at the Bowdoin College Tri-Meet on Dec. 11.
The Westfield indoor track and field teams are idle until Jan. 22 when they will participate in the Springfield College Invitational.
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