JERSEY CITY, N.J. — On Thursday evening, May 11, the New Jersey City University department of intercollegiate athletics hosted the 2023 Gothic Knights, its annual athletics awards banquet. Nearly 300 members of the NJCU athletics community gathered together in the Gilligan Student Union Building for a night of recognition and celebration for the best of the past year of Gothic Knights athletics.
  See below for a full recap of the night's award winners. Additionally, there is a photo album above from the night's events.

Female and Male Thomas M. Gerrity Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Female Recipient — Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) | Senior | Women's Volleyball
Toledo joined the NJCU women's volleyball program prior to the 2021 season and instantly became a team leader. This past season, she led the Gothic Knights in nearly every major offensive statistical category. She was also named Second Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), becoming the first Jersey City women's volleyball player to earn First or Second Team honors since 2009. Additionally, Toledo maintains an outstanding 3.28 cumulative grade-point-average and was a 2022 First Team Academic All-District selection.
Finalists:
Eliza Clamor (Auckland, New Zealand/Rangitoto College) | Senior | Women's Tennis
Meagan Raimondo (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) | Junior | Women's Bowling
Naomi Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Wingate) | Senior | Women's Wrestling
Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) | Junior | Softball

Male Recipient — Nico Teynie (Rouen, France/Lycée Val de Seine) | Senior | Men's Tennis
Teynie has been a model student-athlete over his three seasons as a Gothic Knight. He has been ranked top four in the Northeast Region and top 12 in the nation, leading his team to three straight NJAC East Division championship matches, including the 2021 title. A three-time First Team All-NJAC selection in singles and doubles, he also maintains a 3.96 cumulative grade-point-average. He is also a 2023 Academic All-District selection.
Finalists:
Maximo Vargas (Montevideo, Uruguay/The British Schools) | Junior | Men's Soccer
Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) | Graduet Student | Baseball
James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) | Senior | Men's Volleyball

The Rising Knight Award
This award is given to the individual(s) that has/have exemplified the meaning of being a true Division III student-athlete in five distinct areas: Academics, Leadership, Career Planning, Personal Enrichment, and Community Service.
James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) | Senior | Men's Volleyball
Kayla Zeppetelli (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park) | Sophomore | Women's Wrestling

Presidential Academic Achievement Awards
These awards are given to the individuals that have displayed the most success in the classroom during their time at NJCU, as well as the team with the highest GPA for the season.
Team Recipient — Men's Tennis (3.73)
Male Recipient — Nico Teynie (Rouen, France/Lycée Val de Seine) | Senior | Men's Tennis (3.96)
Female Recipient — Sara Zorzan (Milan, Italy/Liceo Falcone Borsellino) | Sophomore | Women's Tennis (4.0)

James J. Kearns Memorial Athletic Appreciation Award
This is awarded to a member of the University community for their commitment and contributions to athletics.
Bianca Cribeiro | Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator | The Center for Leadership and Engagement

Robert J. Delaney Service Above Self Award
This award is presented to an individual who serves the greater good of the department of athletics and personifies the attributes Bob Delaney is know for. This year's winner is a key member of the NJCU community, always working hard behind the seasons and taking time out of his day to ensure he attends as many athletic competitions as possible.
Steve Otero | Maintanance Services

Male Newcomer of the Year
Jason Suarez (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) | Sophomore | Men's Soccer
A first-year transfer to NJCU, Suarez slotted right in to the starting center back position for the Gothic Knights and never looked back. A Honorable Mention All-NJAC selection, he played the most minutes on the team and helped limit opponents to less than a goal per game and just a 5.6 shot on goal percentage.
Finalists:
Danny Tobon (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) | Sophomore | Men's Soccer
Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) | Freshman | Baseball
Amaru Perales (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) | Freshman | Men's Volleyball

Female Newcomer of the Year
Sophia Jurina (Munich, Germany/Carl-Spitzweg-Gymnasium) | Freshman | Women's Tennis
Jurina was a three-time NJAC Rookie of the Week and was selected as the conference's Rookie of the Year. She finished 11-4 in singles play, including a perfect 5-0 in NJAC play and 13-4 in doubles, including 4-1 in conference.
Finalists:
Rebecca Lopez (Mountain View, Calif./Mountain View) | Freshman | Women's Soccer
Jaelynn Barrios (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) | Sophomore | Softball

Male Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year
Dave Etienne (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) | Senior | Men's Track & Field
A two-time NJAC Runner of the Week this season, Etienne became the first NCAA qualifier at NJCU since 2010. He was a two-time All-NJAC selection for indoors and one-time for outdoors. A two-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region selection, Etienne has run 20 top-10 marks in various events in program history, including the program record in the men's outdoor 200-meter dash (21.47 seconds).
Finalists:
Nico Teynie (Rouen, France/Lycée Val de Seine) | Senior | Men's Tennis
Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) | Graduate Student | Baseball
Maximo Vargas (Montevideo, Uruguay/The British Schools) | Junior | Men's Soccer
James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) | Senior | Men's Volleyball

Female Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year
Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) | Junior | Women's Basketball
The leading scorer in all of the NCAA Division III (24.3 points/game), Rodriguez was a two-time All-America selection this season (D3hoops.com and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)). She was named Player of the Year by the NJAC, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA). A three-time First Team All-NJAC selection, Rodriguez reached 1,000 points in just 49 games.
Finalists:
Naomi Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Wingate) | Senior | Women's Wrestling
Rebecca Hoff (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) | Junior | Women's Bowling
Giada Zorzan (Milan, Italy/Liceo dello Sport Marco Pantani) | Senior | Women's Tennis
Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) | Senior | Women's Volleyball