Erie Community College, State University of New York

Erie Community College has named freshmen Gina Adornetto (Clarence/Clarence High School) and Dan Wendt (North Tonawanda/Starpoint High School) as its most outstanding female and male student-athletes for the 2008-09 school year.

Adornetto was the recipient of several All-Region accolades as a member of Erie’s women’s cross country and track and field teams. She was an All-Region performer in cross country after finishing eighth in the Region III meet. As a member of the indoor track and field team, Adornetto was the regional champion in the mile, 1,000-meter run and the 5,000-meter run. She also was named the Most Outstanding Runner at the Region III Outdoor Track and Field Championships after setting a regional record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and winning the 800-meter run.

Wendt led the Erie hockey team to its first Region III championship since 1994. A First Team All-American selection, Wendt finished third in the NJCAA in scoring with 31 goals and 25 assists. He was named Rookie of the Year in the region and was a First Team All-Region selection.

Sophomore Amanda Gonter (Holland) received the Helen Cornell Award for having the highest cumulative grade point average among sophomores on Erie athletic teams. A member of the swimming and diving team, Gonter has a 3.93 GPA in Social Science. She finished 12th at the NJCAA championships and the 100-meter freestyle final and 11th in the 100-meter backstroke final.

The Ralph Galanti and Grace Galanti Scholarships were awarded to Phil DiFrancisco (Fredonia) of the ice hockey team and Gina Maduri (Tonawanda/Tonawanda High School) of the women’s bowling teams.

Erie athletic teams won Region III titles in women’s bowling, ice hockey, women’s indoor track and field and football in 2008-09. The women’s bowling team won the NJCAA national championship and the men’s bowling and ice hockey teams were NJCAA national runner-ups.