RELEASE DATE: 12/13/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Andre Turner and Ryanne Higgins Named Fall Athletes of the Year

MANSFIELD – Last week at the annual Fall Sports Banquet, Andre Turner (Pittsburgh/Peabody) and Ryanne Higgins (Newtown/Council Rock) were honored as the 2006 Mansfield University Fall Athletes of the Year.

A four-year starter at linebacker, Andre Turner was the leader of the Mountaineer defense both physically and emotional this year. He was on the field for every defensive play during the season and finished sixth in the conference with 83 tackles including a team best 10.5 tackles for a loss.

 Andre recorded 10 or more tackles in six games and was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week after compiling 10 tackles, forcing a fumble, breaking up a pass and returning an interception for 85-yard touchdown against Lock Haven.

In each of his four seasons at Mansfield Andre has ranked either first or second on the team in tackles, appearing in the final national rankings three times. He recorded 351 career tackles including 182 solo and 27.5 for a loss, ranking him fourth in school history in career tackles and fifth in tackles for loss.

A Second Team All-PSAC East selection again in 2006, Andre joins Bob Vagonis, Robert Funderburke, Don Chubb, Dean Stewart and Dan Holland as the only Mountaineers to earn all-conference honors four times during their careers.

On a team full of stars, Ryanne Higgins shined the brightest in a historic season for the Mountaineer field hockey team. Her skills and scoring prowess were matched only by her determination and enthusiasm. Despite playing the second toughest schedule in the country, Ryanne helped lead the Mountaineers to their first-ever PSAC playoff berth and a final ranking of ninth in the nation.

She finished the season among the NCAA Division II scoring leaders while her school record 12 assists was second best in the country. Her 47 points and 18 goals were the second most in school history and ranked fifth and eighth in the nation respectively.

Ryanne scored goals in 12 of the team’s 21 games this season saving her best for the playoff run by scoring nine goals in the last four games of the year, including back-to-back hat tricks in the last two regular season games. She was rewarded for that accomplishment by being named the PSAC Player of the Week.

 A second team All-PSAC selection, Ryanne was also named to Second Team All-American honors by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and www.womensfieldhockey.com.

Only a junior, Ryanne already ranks second in school history in career assists (22), third in points (82), and third in goals (30).

As successful in the classroom as she is on the field hockey pitch, Ryanne is also a PSAC and an MU Scholar-Athlete.

All fall sports squads handed out their season honors including most improved and most valuable awards.

Senior captains Desiree Boris and Vanessa Wengen were named the co-MVP's of the soccer team while goalkeeper Justine Segear was named the MIP.

Higgins was named the MVP of the field Hockey team while goalkeeper Brianna DeLuca earned the MIP honors after setting a school record for shutouts in a season.

Turner was also named the MVP of the football program while Michael Gardier earned the MIP honors after leading the Mounties in tackles this season.

Transfer junior Dave Sanford took home the MVP and MIP honors for men's cross country after pacing the Mountaineers throughout the fall season.

Amanda Streeter earned the MIP honors for women's cross country after medaling at the CTC championships this fall while senior standout Rachel Hall took home the MVP honors following an All-PSAC, All-Region, and All-ECAC season.

Rachelle Pintande was named the MVP of the fall cheerleading squad.