Ama Biney
  • management engineering
  • Class of 2018
  • Worcester, Massachusetts

Ama Biney of Worcester, Massachusetts, Earns Award at WPI Athletics Banquet

2017 May 15

Ama Biney was recently honored at the WPI Athletics annual banquet.

The WPI athletic department recently honored all of its 20 varsity teams which encompasses over 600 student-athletes at its annual awards banquet. During the festivities, 11 student-athletes were presented with major awards. These accolades highlight some of the best varsity student-athletes at WPI who excel both in the classroom and in their respective sports.

The night was highlighted by two top award winners; Swimming & Diving's Andrew Bauer who captured the Melvin G. Massucco Award and Women's Basketball's Priscilla Dunphy who brought home the Varsity Club Award. The night also included the honorees of the Ray Cherenzia Award which highlights each teams "unsung hero".

The John P. Coghlin Award - Marissa Pereira (Springfield, MA) - Wrestling and Baseball

Presented to a team manager who is eligible for a varsity letter and has carried out invaluable service for his/her team

"Marissa Pereira came into the wrestling season with no prior experience with the sport and did an unbelievable job not only learning the scoring of the sport, learning the computerized scoring system, but also teaching another first year manager the same. She completely took any worry that I had regarding this side of things off my plate during both home and away events. By the end of the season she had become the head manager at even the away meets where referees were referring to her to correct other team's score keeping mistakes and issues. She also did a great job managing the other managers we had with the team to ensure a host of tasks were completed and taken care of," remarked Head Wrestling Coach Steve Hall.

Head Baseball Coach Mike Callahan added, "Marissa has been our team manager for the last two years. She has been an extremely valuable person for our program. She handles all pre-game set up and also helps me with anything I may need prior to the game (getting team lineups, organizing game workers, etc). During home games she serves as our official scorer, inputting all of the plays into the laptop for live stats and making judgment calls on hits/errors and earned/unearned runs. During road games she is in the dugout attending to any issues that occur during the contest."

The Charles R. McNulty Award - Sean McAllen (Prospect, CT) - Football

Presented to the outstanding male athlete in the freshman class

Sean McAllen earned Liberty League Rookie of the Year and All-Liberty League Second Team honors to go with Worcester Area Football Association Freshman of the Year and a first team nod at running back. McAllen was third in the league in rushing attempts (170), fifth in yards (701) and eighth in average yards per game (70.1). He ran for a season-best 215 yards on 29 carries with a pair of touchdowns and a 74 yard TD in the season opener at MIT. Within the Liberty League, McAllen totaled 114 yards on 25 rushes to go with a touchdown pass as part of the Wild Goat at Springfield. The newcomer also rumbled into the end zone at RPI, vs Hobart and at Rochester.

The Coaches Award - Kristen McCrea (Weymouth, MA) - Women's Soccer

Presented to the outstanding female athlete in the freshman class

Kristen McCrea was tabbed NEWMAC Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year and an All-NEWMAC first teamer and later elevated to an NSCAA All-Region selection and eventually became the second All-America in program history. She was also the only rookie to appear on the All-America and the top two regional team rosters. For the season, McCrea boasted Engineer-bests of 11 assists, 21 points and four game-winners. She was named the NEWMAC Tournament's most outstanding player for her double OT game-ender versus Springfield in the semifinal and pair of assists versus MIT in the title match.

The Leo S. Jansson Award - Jack Bauer (Cumberland, RI) - Men's Swimming & Diving

Presented to the sophomore male athlete who best exemplifies the high standards expressed in "The WPI Athlete". The WPI Athlete is someone who, through hard work and positive attitude, achieves success above and beyond ability wile representing the University with distinction.

Jack Bauer, the 2017 NEWMAC Co-Swimmer of the Year, won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke titles and was a three-time runner up. He made the trip to the NCAAs where he earned All-America honors in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard medley relay to go with an honorable mention AA in the 400-yard medley relay. As the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2016, Jack Bauer was a member of the NEWMAC Champion 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relays, and runner up 400-yard medley and freestyle relays. The repeat department award winner set four records at the national event and one at the conference championships for a total of five.

The Carolyn McCabe Award - Gabi Hoops (Stonington, CT) - Women's Soccer

Presented to the sophomore female athlete who best exemplifies the high standards expressed in"The WPI Athlete". The WPI Athlete is someone who, through hard work and positive attitude, achieves success above and beyond ability while representing the University with distinction.

Gabi Hoops was the first-ever NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-Conference Second Team selection, as well as an NSCAA All-New England Second Team honoree. Hoops led the NEWMAC in save percentage (.904), fewest goals (seven) and a 0.34 goals against average in 1879:18 minutes played. Her GAA and save percentage also ranked ninth following the conclusion of the NCAA tournament. In all, Hoops posted 11 clean sheets including a NEWMAC semifinal win versus Springfield and a double OT draw in the NCAA first round versus Trinity. Off the field, Hoops is the team's SAAC representative and a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.

The Poly Club Award (Male) - Brendan Nemes (Kingston, MA) - Men's Soccer

Presented to the top male athlete in the junior class, who has outstanding academic records along with campus involvement of a non-athletic nature.

Brendan Nemes, a NEWMAC All-Conference first team selection and NSCAA Division III All-New England third teamer, paced the Crimson and Gray with seven goals and 16 points. Of the midfielder's seven goals, he scored the game winner versus Nichols, Mass. Maritime and at Emerson. He was also one of three Engineers to start all 17 fixtures. Through three seasons, Nemes has 13 goals - five game-winners - and 31 points in a span of 56 possible games, including starts in the last 37. He is vice president of his fraternity and has been tabbed as a co-captain for the upcoming season. In the classroom, the industrial engineering major completed his IQP at the Tropical Science Center in Costa Rica.

The Poly Club Award (Female) - Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) - Women's Basketball and Softball

Presented to the top female athlete in the junior class, who has outstanding academic records along with campus involvement of a non-athletic nature.

Ama Biney is a dual sport threat on the court, diamond and in the classroom. The four-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and 2016 Softball Academic all-America was an All-NEWMAC performer in Basketball and Softball, as well as the first-ever NEWMAC Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year and the program's first-ever D3hoops.com All-Region Selection.

A double-digit scorer in 24 of 28 games, including the last eight, Biney garnered two NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Week selections and three NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Week nods, including the first-ever to be awarded by the conference. The WACBA Player of the Year and All-WACBA First Team selection, was named MVP of the Worcester City Tournament, WPI Thanksgiving Classic and WPI Holiday Tournament. In the final week of the season, Biney dropped 18 points in the NEWMAC first round versus Coast Guard and semifinal against Clark. She also scored a career high versus RPI early in the season.

This spring, Biney returned to the All-NEWMAC first team after leading the league in walks (23), triples (5), stolen bases (25), stolen bases per game (0.60), runs (50) and runs per game (1.19) while boasting a perfect fielding percentage in 50 total chances. The junior also batted .370 with 17 extra base hits, 35 RBI and an OPS of 1.079. Biney enjoyed a 14-game hitting streak, including five multi-hit games and a 4-for-4 performance versus Becker, from April 9 until April 22.

The Percy Carpenter Award - Ian Converse (Woodstock, CT) - Men's Basketball

Presented to a senior male who displays the best example of sportsmanship while a WPI athlete

Ian Converse was named an All-NEWMAC First Team selection and the program's first NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship team honoree. He also garnered All-WACBA Second Team accolades. Over the course of 25 games played, Converse led the league in offensive rebounds (66) while ranking third in field goals (159), fifth in points per 40 minutes (21.3), fifth in points per game (15.5) and fifth in field goal percentage (48%). In terms of the 13 conference games played, the senior topped the chart with 32 offensive boards and was second in points per 40 minutes with 22.7. Converse was also third in field goals (85), fourth in points per game (16.5) and fourth in field goal percentage (49.1%). The double-digit scorer in 20 games, including the last 11, posted six double-doubles on the season. Converse scored 23 points and hauled in nine rebounds in the NEWMAC semifinal versus eventual tournament champion MIT.

The Patricia Graham Award - Lynn Renner (Aberdeen, SD) - Women's Soccer

Presented to a senior female who displays the best example of sportsmanship while a WPI athlete

Lynn Renner has been a mainstay on the backline, having started 71 of 75 games played. The Engineers only allowed nine goals on the season and five in conference play to go with 11 shutouts (six NEWMAC). She scored the game-winner versus Framingham State and added an assist versus MIT in the regular season. The South Dakota native has had an impact on not only the WPI community, but also the Worcester Community. She is involved in Big Brothers, Big Sisters and teaches youth ministry at the Blessed Sacrament Church. The last two years Lynn has volunteered her time to work numerous athletic events here on campus. The chemical and fire protection engineering major also traveled to Louisiana to build houses through the InterVarsity program during Spring Break in 2016 and 2017.

The Melvin G. Massucco Award - Andrew Bauer (Cumberland, RI) - Men's Swimming & Diving

Presented to the male senior athlete on his achievements, contributions, character, leadership, sportsmanship, and promotion of school spirit during his years at WPI

Andrew Bauer achieved his goal of bringing more athletes to the NCAA meet as a total of seven, including a participating alternate, made the trip to Shenandoah, Texas for this year's event, up from five swimmers in 2016 and four in 2015. The mechanical engineering major and repeat Acadmic All-District honoree, collected CSCAA All-America honors in the 200-yard medley relay and four honorable mention All-America accolades during his third trip to the NCAAs. Prior to that, he won the 200-yard freestyle and was a five-time runner up at the NEWMAC Championships. This year's trip to Texas yielded new 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay records.

The 2016 NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year earned All-America status in the 800-yard freestyle relay and was an honorable mention in the 100- and 200-yard freestyles while his first trip to the NCAAs yielded honorable mention laurels in the 800 free relay. The co-captain assisted Habitat for Humanity for his IQP and developed device to harness wind energy using kites to pump water for developing nations for his MQP. Andrew Bauer is also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the Investment Club. The department award winner in three of four years owns eight records, including all five active relays.

The Varsity Club Award - Priscilla Dunphy (Barrington, RI) - Women's Basketball

Presented to the female senior athlete on her achievements, contributions, character, leadership, sportsmanship, and promotion of school spirit during her years at WPI

Priscilla Dunphy was key to getting the Engineers back to the NEWMAC title game for the second time in as many years as she a hit a layup, stole the ball and canned a free throw late in the semifinal versus Clark. The All-NEWMAC pick ranked first overall (41.9%) and in conference games (49.0%) in 3-point field goal percentage. The senior was also top 10 in 3-pointers (fifth all, seventh NEWMAC), minutes played (sixth all, ninth NEWMAC) and steals (ninth NEWMAC). She also led WPI in 3-pointers per game and free throw percentage and was second on team in scoring and rebounding, as well as third in steals. The WPI Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team honoree achieved double-digit scoring in 17 contests. She was also rewarded with a NEWBA Senior All-Star Game invite and a spot on the All-WACBA Second Team. Off the court, Dunphy is active with Special Olympics, Relay for Life and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

2016-17 - Ray Cherenzia '73 Award

Presented to a member of each varsity team that exemplifies the spirit of an "Unsung Hero" - who works hard every day, puts the team first over their personal goals, who does the little things without much recognition, yet are vital to their team's success in competition, in the classroom and in the community. The award recipients must represent their program and the university in a respected and dignified manner.

Baseball - CJ Doskocil '17 (Sterling, MA)
Men's Basketball - Dave Zielinski '18 (Shelton, CT)
Women's Basketball - Tess Nogueria '17 (Merrimac, MA)
Men's Cross Country - Daniel Mortimer '17 (Shrewsbury, MA)
Women's Cross Country - Julia Smith '17 (Cranston, RI)
Field Hockey - Izzy Garver '18 (Owls Head, ME)
Football - Joe Igoe '17 (Framingham, MA)
Men's Rowing - Scott Cazier '17 (Wheat Ridge, CO)
Women's Rowing - Jennifer Golden '17 (Norton, MA)
Men's Soccer - Jordan Finzel '18 (Northport, NY)
Women's Soccer - Janine Fatal '17 (Amesbury, MA)
Softball - Katie Chagami '18 (Waipahu, HI)
Men's Swimming and Diving - Matt Houghton '17 (Berkley, MA)
Women's Swimming and Diving - Julia Bushell '17 (Windham, NH)
Men's Track and Field - Ryan Dennis '17 (Milford, CT)
Women's Track and Field - Kristen Detloff '19 (Vernon, NJ)
Volleyball - Colleen Mullins '20 (Andover, MA)
Wrestling - Michael Curtis '19 (Wells, ME)

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. WPI's talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Projects Program. There are more than 40 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.