Jerresand, Luders, Wingo Earn BIG EAST Sport Excellence Awards
8/10/2023 3:01:00 PM | Baseball, General, Softball, Women's Swimming and Diving, H.A.L.L. Program
NEW YORK – Three Seton Hall student athletes were recognized by the BIG EAST Conference on Thursday as Sport Excellence Award recipients. Cornelia Jerresand of women's swimming and diving, Jonathan Luders of baseball and Abby Wingo of softball made up the trio of Pirate honorees, tying them with Georgetown for the second-most among BIG EAST institutions.
The Sport Excellence Awards are given to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to the community. Student-athletes who have attained junior academic standing and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 are eligible. The winners are chosen by the BIG EAST Faculty Athletics Representative Council.
Jerresand was a steady force for the Pirates in freestyle events this past season, posting three individual victories in the 50 Free during the campaign. She also added a trio of relay victories in dual meets against Lehigh, UConn and Georgetown. Jerresand capped her season by posting her fastest times of the year in the 50 Free and 100 Free at the BIG EAST Championships. Jerresand has been involved as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative for the swimming and diving program, specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In addition, she is also an active member within student-athlete committees, including serving as a key leader in Seton Hall's SHE Can Committee. Jerresand was vital in leading the charge for the new free feminine product dispenser in the female locker room suite. Back in February, Jerresand was honored by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) as Seton Hall's National Girls & Women in Sports Day Woman of the Year.
Luders, an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, was a standout on offense and defense for The Hall all season long. He finished third in the conference with a .489 on-base percentage in BIG EAST play and did all of the little things to help the Pirates win 31 games. Luders led the conference with five sacrifice bunts and eight hit by a pitches against league foes. Luders played a strong second base as he ranked fourth in the conference with 57 assists and tied for third turning 14 double plays in BIG EAST games. He only committed one error in 100 fielding chances during league play. Off the field, Luders has served as the Vice President of SAAC and was indicted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Student-Athlete Honor Society. Luders also has served as a member of the Buccino Leadership Institute.
Wingo, the 2023 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and All-BIG EAST First Team honoree, posted one of the best seasons in Pirates history. In helping guide the softball program to its first BIG EAST championship since 2005, Wingo set new single-season records for base hits (71) and longest hitting streak (19 games) while posting the third-highest batting average in team history (.397). Wingo, who also garnered NFCA All-Region First Team honors, tallied two separate hitting streaks of 14 games or longer during the season, collecting a base hit in 49 of her 59 games played in 2023. Off the field, Wingo has served as a member of SHE Can as well as the SAAC representative for softball. Wingo was instrumental in bringing The Hidden Opponent to Seton Hall, a nonprofit organization which focuses on breaking the stigma of mental health in college athletics.
The Sport Excellence Awards are given to one student-athlete in each BIG EAST-sponsored sport based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to the community. Student-athletes who have attained junior academic standing and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 are eligible. The winners are chosen by the BIG EAST Faculty Athletics Representative Council.
Jerresand was a steady force for the Pirates in freestyle events this past season, posting three individual victories in the 50 Free during the campaign. She also added a trio of relay victories in dual meets against Lehigh, UConn and Georgetown. Jerresand capped her season by posting her fastest times of the year in the 50 Free and 100 Free at the BIG EAST Championships. Jerresand has been involved as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative for the swimming and diving program, specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In addition, she is also an active member within student-athlete committees, including serving as a key leader in Seton Hall's SHE Can Committee. Jerresand was vital in leading the charge for the new free feminine product dispenser in the female locker room suite. Back in February, Jerresand was honored by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) as Seton Hall's National Girls & Women in Sports Day Woman of the Year.
Luders, an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, was a standout on offense and defense for The Hall all season long. He finished third in the conference with a .489 on-base percentage in BIG EAST play and did all of the little things to help the Pirates win 31 games. Luders led the conference with five sacrifice bunts and eight hit by a pitches against league foes. Luders played a strong second base as he ranked fourth in the conference with 57 assists and tied for third turning 14 double plays in BIG EAST games. He only committed one error in 100 fielding chances during league play. Off the field, Luders has served as the Vice President of SAAC and was indicted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Student-Athlete Honor Society. Luders also has served as a member of the Buccino Leadership Institute.
Wingo, the 2023 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and All-BIG EAST First Team honoree, posted one of the best seasons in Pirates history. In helping guide the softball program to its first BIG EAST championship since 2005, Wingo set new single-season records for base hits (71) and longest hitting streak (19 games) while posting the third-highest batting average in team history (.397). Wingo, who also garnered NFCA All-Region First Team honors, tallied two separate hitting streaks of 14 games or longer during the season, collecting a base hit in 49 of her 59 games played in 2023. Off the field, Wingo has served as a member of SHE Can as well as the SAAC representative for softball. Wingo was instrumental in bringing The Hidden Opponent to Seton Hall, a nonprofit organization which focuses on breaking the stigma of mental health in college athletics.
Players Mentioned
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
INF
/ Baseball
Outfield
/ Softball2024-25 End-of-Year Highlight Video
Thursday, May 22
Seton Hall Basketball Facility Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Thursday, March 27
PSN Feature on Allie Waggoner, Seton Hall's First NCAA Women's Championship Qualifier
Friday, March 21
Seton Hall Basketball - Catalon, Masonius, Bozzella After Quinnipiac (WBIT)
Friday, March 21
