Long Island University Athletics

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Long Island University senior women’s tennis standout Selma Babic was named Female Athlete of the Year, while senior Jaytornah Wisseh of the men’s basketball team earned Male Athlete of the Year honors at the school’s annual athletics awards banquet held Wednesday evening at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center. Seniors Christie Wienckowski of the women’s lacrosse team and Dan Wright of the men’s soccer team were named LIU’s Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

 

Babic has dominated on the courts during her career, elevating the Blackbirds’ program to new heights in the process. As LIU’s top singles player Babic has won her last 13 matches in a row and posted a 19-1 record on the season.  She was equally impressive in doubles action, posting a 14-2 mark at the number one position. During her three seasons with LIU was unbeaten against Northeast Conference opponents and was named the NEC Player of the Year each of the last two seasons. Babic’s dominance helped LIU claim its second straight conference crown this spring and she will lead the squad into the NCAA Tournament against No. 10 seed Duke on May 14.

 

Wisseh capped a stellar career with an outstanding final season on the Brooklyn campus. A two-time All-NEC First Team selection, he was the target of every opposing defense during the season and accumulated more minutes played than anyone else in the league, while leading a young LIU squad to the NEC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2005. As the Blackbirds’ only senior, the 6-foot-1 point guard set career-highs in scoring, assists and free throw percentage. He led the conference in assists and became just the third player in LIU history to accumulate over 1,500 points and 500 assists in a career. Wisseh capped his career with the most games played in program history and ranks in the top five in scoring and assists.

 

The scholar-athlete awards are presented annually to the male and female student-athletes who have completed their eligibility during the current year and have the highest overall grade-point averages through the fall semester. Wienckowski, a marketing and business major, compiled a 3.83 GPA and was named the valedictorian of the graduating class. Wienckowski is a  member of the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and led the Blackbirds in scoring this year after posting a point in every game of her collegiate career. A journalism major, Wright posted a 3.96 GPA and appeared in every game of his career with LIU. He was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First Team and is on the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

 

In addition to the Athlete of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, Long Island also recognized award winners for each sport and its other major awards.