BEVERLY, Mass. – The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has selected five Endicott student-athletes as 2018 All-American Athlete Award recipients.
The five NSCA All-American recipients include Josh Bowes (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada/Men's Ice Hockey), Michael DeDonato (Chelmsford, Mass./Baseball), Donovan Dey (Fairport, N.Y./Men's Volleyball), Caroline Hughes (Andover, Mass./Women's Ice Hockey), and Mackenzie Kennedy (Andover, Mass./Women's Volleyball).
The NSCA All-America award is given to student-athletes based on athletic accomplishments and dedication to strength and conditioning. Below, Endicott Associate Head Athletic Trainer James Daley, MS, ATC, CSCS, PES, CSS, provides his thoughts on each All-American student-athlete.
JOSH BOWES | MEN'S ICE HOCKEY | JUNIOR | FORWARD
In the 2017-2018 season, Bowes had the best year of his career dressing in all games for Endicott. Bowes recorded over a point per game and is on pace to eclipse the 100 career point mark next season. Bowes, who was a staple of the Endicott power play and penalty kill last season, also was a leader in the weight room balancing his hockey schedule, a rigorous academic schedule, all while never missing a team lift. Bowes' hard work and dedication have led to his success as a student-athlete.
MICHAEL DEDONATO | BASEBALL | SENIOR | SECOND BASEMAN
DeDonato has prioritized strength, conditioning and a healthy lifestyle since he stepped foot on campus. He leads by example with a tireless work ethic and a desire to improve each day. Through his commitment to strength and conditioning, DeDonato has improved as a student-athlete each year in the program and has been named to the CCC All-Conference teams three times. DeDonato was also named as a player to watch (nationally), in the annual preseason edition of the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He will finish his career as one of the most productive offensive players in school history. In addition to his athletic achievements, DeDonato, an M.B.A. student and an accounting, and finance double major as an undergraduate (3.82 GPA) has already accepted a position with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) following graduation. A true leader in the weight room, on the field and in the classroom, DeDonato has prioritized strength, conditioning and a healthy lifestyle and has earned the department's highest recommendation for one of the NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year awards.
DONOVAN DEY | MEN'S VOLLEYBALL | SOPHOMORE | OPPOSITE HITTER
As a talented young student-athlete last season, Dey has seen his game elevate to a new level, becoming one of the focal points of the Endicott offense, due in large part to his dedication to the strength and conditioning program. While just a sophomore, Dey has developed into a leader in the performance center, pushing every teammate to demand the best from themselves, further instilling a level of accountability that will push the team and the athletic department to new heights. A strong student off the court, Dey's charisma has led his teammates to gravitate towards his, further strengthening his leadership abilities.
CAROLINE HUGHES | WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY | JUNIOR | FORWARD
Hughes had her most productive year at Endicott this season from a pure points standpoint. She also has continued to be a leader in the weight room by significantly improving her 300-meter shuttle time and breaking the female school record in the vertical jump. In the summer, Hughes spent some time training at the same facility with some of the women's hockey players from the Gold Medal Winning U.S. Women's National Team. Hughes' hard work and dedication to strength and conditioning have led to success on the ice with her and her teammates. Lastly, Hughes is the first-ever two-time NSCA All-American in Endicott Athletics history.
MACKENZIE KENNEDY | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL | DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | SOPHOMORE
Kennedy truly understands the value of strength and conditioning as an integral part of her athletic experience and performance. She is the team's hardest worker in and out of season and has become a tremendous leader and encourager to the rest of the team. With goals and standards for all of our testing, Kennedy isn't content to pass the test as she is always striving for the gold standard for herself. Over the past year, her maturity and thought process towards her overall development has grown. She is very cognizant of rest, nutrition, and volume as part of the entire process rather than the "more is better" attitude.
About the National Strength & Conditioning Association
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is an international nonprofit professional association founded in 1978 and is dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning profession around the world.
The NSCA advances the profession by supporting strength and conditioning professionals devoted to helping others discover and maximize their strengths. The organization disseminates research-based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, and continuing education opportunities. The NSCA community is composed of more than 45,000 members and certified professionals who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength coaches, personal trainers, and other roles in related fields.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the NSCA serves as a valuable resource for its members, the fitness industry, general public, and the media. The association provides a wide variety of resources and opportunities designed to strengthen, build, advance, and unify.
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(Photo Credit - Nick Grace)
