Winter 2009-10 - Pine Manor College

Pray, Hennelly, Brunelli Inducted into PMC’s Athletics Hall of Famebrennen & praySoftball and soccer legend Sara Pray ’02 (pictured left, with Erin Brennen, Director of Athletics), ofNorton, three-time All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) basketball honoree JillHennelly ’99, of Whitman, and the late assistant women’s basketball coach Donald E. Brunelli,Jr., of Malden, were inducted into the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame in October duringAlumnae Reunion Weekend. Over 150 people, including friends, family members, formerteammates and coaches, fellow Hall of Famers and current student-athletes, attended the inductionceremony, which was held on the floor named in Brunelli’s honor inside the College’sgymnasium.Sara Pray was a four-time All-GNAC Softball selection and a two-time all-conference soccerhonoree. A catcher and feared slugger, Pray led NCAA Division III in RBI and slugging percentagein 2000. As captain of the 2001 GNAC Champion Gators, she led Pine Manor to itsfirst NCAA Tournament berth. A three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association all-regionselection, she was named NFCA First Team All-Region in 2000. Twice a First Team All-GNACsoccer goalkeeper and a three-time PMC Athlete of the Year, Pray was the softball program’sall-time leader in home runs (35), RBI (165), runs (156), doubles (48) and slugging (.888).Jill Hennelly is a three-time All-GNAC performer, the leading three-point shooter (285) in theCollege’s history, and the only player to score more than 1,000 points. She ranks third in careerassists (339), fifth in points (1,295) and seventh in points per game (14.1). The 1996 recipientof the Peter G. Ellis Award for Outstanding First Year Student-Athletes, Hennelly also was atwo-year letter winner on the Gators softball team.A beloved figured in the College’s athletic program, coach Brunelli died suddenly, minutesbefore a game, in February 1993. A year later, the College designated its basketball court as theDonald E. Brunelli, Jr. Court “in loving memory of our coach and friend.”CLASS2013OFNielsen named GNAC Sportswoman of the YearPine Manor College soccer andsoftball player Kayla Nielsen ‘13has been named Great NortheastAthletic Conference (GNAC) 2009Sportswoman of the Year. The twosportstar was lauded for her respectand integrity on and off her fields ofplay.“Kayla is always positive and upbeat,which rubs off on the team,” saidNielsen’s soccer coach, Cory Kinsella.Nielsen“Her presence and attitude are contagious.”Nielsen’s softball coach, MarthaDeusser, recalled one of the many times when the catcher utilized her flexibilityfor the betterment of the team: “In Florida we were down a shortstop, andshe said, ‘I’ll go wherever you need me to.’”As the soccer team goalkeeper, Nielsen led the GNAC and finished 19th inthe NCAA with 11.86 saves per game. As a catcher-infielder on the diamond,Nielsen (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy) was named to the 2009 GNACSoftball All-Sportsmanship Team, as well as the Third Team All-Conference asa utility player.Nielsen was very active in a number of service projects sponsored bythe College. She helped conduct a workshop for 20 girls from Boston’sSportsmen’s Tennis Club at its Hey Sisters Program, speaking to them abouteducation, athletics, staying on course to success, and the importance ofteamwork, as well as doing team building exercises. She also spoke at theCollege’s Board of Visitors meeting regarding the student-athlete experienceat PMC.In light of her commitment and success on the field and her work in the community,Nielsen was also honored with PMC’s Peter G. Ellis Award, which isreserved for the first-year student-athlete who portrays outstanding “dedication,spirit, and ability.”Santos Named All-GNAC in SoccerPine Manor sophomore defenderChristina Santos ’12 was namedto the All-Great NortheastAthletic Conference (GNAC)Third Team in November. Santos,from Pawtucket, RI gained herreputation as an aggressive,speedy back by protecting apair of first year goalkeepers.She tallied her first career pointwith an assist in the Gators 4-0santoswin at Massachusetts MaritimeAcademy. The anchor ofthe Gators defense, Santos led a youthful team that allowed two or fewergoals in seven contests, going 3-3-1 in those matches. A true team player,Santos made a team season-high 25 saves in her only game in goal at EmersonCollege. Santos is the College’s second All-GNAC representative in two seasons,with midfielder Kasey Jeronimo ’12 earning all-league honors a year ago.The Class of 2013 includes the Ukrainian champion forrhythmic gymnastics for 2000-2006(one of the top 12 inthe world); a member of the Pawtucket, Rhode Island TeenHall of Fame; an accomplished violinist; volunteers withthe New York City Park Department, Furnish A Future(working with homeless families), and the JROTC Foodbank; and a big sister in the Big Sisters of America Program.While 70% of the Class are from Massachusetts (27 comingfrom Boston), there are students from 11 states and 10countries, including Albania, Brazil, Cape Verde, China,Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Haiti, Jamaica, Japan, and Ukraine.Parents’ ReceptionOn December 9, 2009, the College hostedits first reception for family members ofcurrent students. Parents, friends, and otherrelatives were invited to attend. At thereception they learned about the College,met members of the staff, and were able toask questions and provide suggestions aboutthe formation of a PMC Parent Council andfamily website.22 PINE MANOR COLLEGE BULLETIN | www.pmc.edu Winter 2010 23