BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — LIU's student-athletes perform on the field and in the classroom. And that was again evident on Monday as two Sharks were named NEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
 
Women's cross country and track & field's Lexi Smith and women's lacrosse attacker Leah Nonnenmann both graduated from LIU last month with cumulative 4.0 GPAs.

The NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is presented annually to the graduating senior student-athlete from the conference with the top GPA.

Nonnenmann and Smith shared the women's honor with six other student-athletes from the conference who also graduated with 4.0 GPAs: FDU's Nina Carlomusto (soccer), St. Francis Brooklyn's Lauren Taylor (soccer) and Ashtyn Van Horn (soccer) , and Saint Francis U's Kaitie Conte (bowling), Kelly Dickson (lacrosse) and Jeanie Edgington (volleyball).

Sacred Heart's Matthew Zawaski (track & field) claimed the men's honor, also with a 4.0 GPA.
 
A criminal justice major from Mount Sinai, Nonnemann ranked third on the LIU women's lacrosse team in goals this past spring with 25. She completed her Sharks career with 38 goals in 30 games over two seasons after beginning her collegiate career at Furman. 
 
"It speaks volume as to who Leah is and just her overall determination," women's lacrosse coach Meghan McNamara said. "She has an incredible drive to succeed on and off the field. We're very proud of her on this amazing accomplishment."

Said Nonnenmann: "It is so nice to represent women's lacrosse and my time here at LIU. I could have not done it without the support of my coaches, family and friends. It is an honor to finish off my student-athlete career with this type of recognition."
 
Smith, a school media and library specialist major from Shoreham, enjoyed a tremendous undergraduate running career with the Sharks during which she gained an All-NEC selection in cross country last fall. She plans to complete her master's at LIU as well.
 
"From Day 1, Lexi has been an incredible example of what we aim for on the track and in the classroom," cross country coach Chris Sauer said. "She's maintained four years of a 4.0 GPA and managed six school records in the process. We're incredibly fortunate we get to have her for another two years as she completes her master's at LIU."