It's Athlete awards season out in the States at the moment and plenty of our FirstPoint clients have made the grade in their respective leagues and regions. It's one thing for our clients to secure a scholarship in the states but for them to outperform hundreds of other players really is something that the FirstPoint USA team has massive admiration for...
Firstly there's Grand View Viking's Sam Blackman who was named the Most Valuable Player for the league, Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the Heart First team which is remarkably impressive from the Dartford born midfielder.
Sam has excelled in both creating and finishing chances this season, including an assist in the quarter final win against the University of Northwestern Ohio which puts them for the first time in their history in the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals! After the game, Sam, who is also the captain said "It is a great achievement for the boys, coaches and the school. It was a very tough game today and we are pleased we managed to come out on top. The work doesn't stop, onto the semifinal on Friday and we go again"
Grand View University receives the Nels Dahlquist Memorial Team Sportsmanship Award. pic.twitter.com/kiQW48AeCq
— GVU Mens Soccer (@GVUmenssoccer) December 4, 2016
Louis Gallagher of Avila University was named on the All-Heart list at season's end, earning 2nd Team honors for his play for the Eagles this fall. The midfielder was instrumental for his side this season with some huge wins including a 4-1 win over Clarke University in November!
Calum James secured a spot in the 2nd team All-Conference after an impressive season with Benedictine. The Northern Ireland native made it to the Heart Postseason Tournament Quarterfinals where MidAmerica Nazarene University scraped a win over them unfortunately. Head coach Rob Herringer will be hoping Calum and his teammates can push on ever further next season.
The 2016 AMC Mens All-Conference side is where Mitchell Conning impressively ended up with his time at Columbia. Mitchell ended the year with 7 goals and 10 assists, cementing his spot as one of, if not the teams best player. Marcus Campanile's Cape Breton Capers are the 2016 AUS men's soccer champions. The Capers won 3-1 v top-ranked Acadia University. The Edinburgh born midfielder currently has four goals and an assist to his name.
Jack Miller of Wingate is now a National Champion following on from their win over Charleston! Jack has made a solid contribution to the side who ended the year 19-1-0 which is truly outstanding and is something that all the FirstPoint team is proud of.
The game is over & the wait is over!! Wingate finally has its national title! It's @wingatesoccer - the 2016 @NCAADII NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!! pic.twitter.com/OsIyRa17CY
— Wingate Bulldogs (@WU_Bulldogs) December 3, 2016
FirstPoint USA Clients Jack Shiels, Sam Todd, Ashley Phillips, Liam Ireland and Oreva Amata all played a part in UWA's successful run which resulted in back to back titles. Ashley Phillips and Jack Shiels have also been included in the 2016 GSC All-Tournament team which bodes well for the future
Read more about UWA's achievments here... https://www.firstpointusa.com/blog/2016/11/uwa-make-it-three-and-wingate-make-history/
Paisley born forward Rory McKinnon secured a First Team All-Region spot for Seton Hill with his impressive goal scoring record for the year. Rory was averaging a goal every other game whilst assisting in every four against some solid opposition including Charleston and Ohio who got to the latter stages of the NAIA Tournaments.
Jack Donaldson of Hartwick College is another Paisley born player who has been an impact with his respective college. The Hartwick midfielder secured a Second Team All-Conference spot alongside other FirstPoint Athletes.
Below are some of our other athletes who have been awarded similar accolades for their past seasons!
Nick Croucher of Tennessee Wesleyan - All-Conference Spot
Lewis Rathbone of Concordia - Honourable mention All-conference
Wesley Lockwood of Northwestern - Honourable mention All-conference
Mark Horsburgh of Concordia - Honourable mention All-conference
Farai Tsingano of Saint Xavier - 1st Team All-conference
Gregor Stevenson of St Ambrose University - All-Academic
Alessandra Giammattei of Keiser University - All-Academic
James Taube of Thomas University - All-Academic
Cameron Saul of Waldorf College - 1st Team All-conference
Harry Kirwan of Midway - 2nd Team All-conference
Jack Hutton of Cumberlands College - 2nd Team All-conference
Chris Kelly of McPherson College - Honourable mention
Craig Brand of Indian Hills - 1st team All-region
Charlie Hackshall of Iowa Lakes - Honourable mention all region - All-conference
Frankie Hession of Harris North California - All region team
Charles Hopwood of Feather River College - Academic All state
Joe Briers of Merimack University - 2nd Team All-conference
John Haist of Colorado school of mines - 2nd team All-conference
Callum Carsley of Florida southern - 2nd team All-conference
Ryan McPhillips of Brevard College - Honourable mention
Antony Pantaleo of Clarke University - Honourable mention
Taku Mashingaidze of Georgia military college - MVP & All-Conference
Thomas Sloan of Mount Aloysius University - Second Team All-Conference
Brad Neal of St Thomas Aquinas - Second Team All-Conference
Cameron Pashley of Cayuga Community College - 2nd team All-Region
Aaron Grant of Pratt Community College -2nd team All-conference
Arthur Rogers of Kentucky Wesleyan - 1st team all freshman and conference
