"The MAAC championship will forever stand out as one of the most exciting days of my life. It demanded a complete team effort, and I could not be more proud of my teammates."
Luke Lesch ’23 played a pivotal role in both Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship games last spring, delivering a clutch one-out single in game one and unleashing a powerful home run to right field in game two.
The champs
The Broncs earned five MAAC Championships this spring. Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams won the indoor and outdoor MAAC Championships, while baseball brought home the championship by defeating top-seeded Fairfield University.
Outstanding performers
Graduate student Teagan Schein-Becker ’22 was named the 2023 MAAC Track Most Outstanding Performer during the women’s track and field outdoor MAAC Championship, while senior Artie Burgess was named the 2023 MAAC Track Most Outstanding Performer during the men’s track and field outdoor MAAC Championship. Schein-Becker was also an NCAA East Preliminary Qualifier in the 1500 meters.
Familiar face
Alicia Govannicci ’14 is the new field hockey head coach. She returns to Rider, where she played for the Broncs for four seasons.
Pitch perfect
Graduate student Danny Kirwin ’22 earned MAAC Baseball Relief Pitcher of the Year and was named a Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He earned the win in the Broncs’ NCAA regional upset of nationally ranked No. 10 Coastal Carolina University.
Making history
Sophomore Stavros Hadjivarnava and junior Dhruv Tangri became the Broncs’ first-ever All-MAAC selections in men’s tennis. Hadjivarnava took First Team and Tangri was named to the Second Team.
Two-time triumph
In addition to an All-League First Team honor, senior Jessie Niegocki was selected to the All-Northeast Region First Team for softball for the second straight year.