Four Pioneers Earn NSCA All-America Honors
6/17/2022 12:00:00 PM | Equestrian, Football, General, Women's Track and Field
DeAndre Byrd, Malik Grant, Kaylee Stenderowicz, and Alyssa Kinney were the honorees
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Sacred Heart University had four student-athletes earned National Strength and Conditioning All-American from the National Strength and Conditioning Association for the 2021-22 season. The honor recognizes those collegiate athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning.
DeAndre Byrd (Football), Malik Grant (Football), Kaylee Stenderowicz (Track and Field) and Alyssa Kinney (Equestrian) were the Pioneer honorees this season.
In six seasons under the direction of Assistant AD and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chris Fee, the Pioneers have had 39 All-America selections.
Byrd earns the honor for the second consecutive season. He has been an All-NEC honoree and a three-year starter for the Pioneers. He's been voted captain twice by his peers and serves on the team's leadership council. The Lawrenceville, Ga. native active in the team's community service projects including Read Aloud and White Ribbon Campaign.
Grant was named the New England Football Writer's Most Outstanding Player, and was also named the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year. A finalist for the Walter Payton Award, he was fourth in the FCS at 1,347 rushing yards – fifth on the SHU single-season list - and sixth with 112.2 yards per game. He was also named to the Hero Sports FCS Third-Team All-America squad. A First-Team All-NEC selection, Grant crossed the goal line 11 times, which was tops in the NEC and 32nd nationally. The Bronx, NY native was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week five times. His 228 yards against Merrimack was the sixth-highest single-game total in school history and the 10th-best in the FCS this year.
"Their work ethic, energy, and consistency to show up every day is unmatched. They give no excuses and lead by example," said Fee.
Stenderowicz was named Second Team All-NEC. The Fredon, N.J. native broke the school record three times in the triple jump. Stenderowicz's latest record breaker came at the Jim Barber & Jack Maloney Invitational when she recorded a first-place finish on a personal best leap of 12.12m. The junior notched 11 top-3 finishes in indoor and outdoor track combined this season with six victories. Stenderowicz finished second at 12.05m leap during the NEC Outdoor Championships.
"She is an outstanding athlete on and off the track. She shows up every day and gives it her all, all while pushing those around her to get better" stated strength and conditioning coach Keith Parker.
Kinney was named to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference Fences Team. She gave the Pioneers a point in the 6-2 victory over Dartmouth in the ECAC North Regional Championship with a score of 67 in fences. She was also named to the ECAC All-Academic Team this season.
"Alyssa, embodies the leadership and work ethic that is well deserved for this award" stated strength and conditioning coach Olivia Kibrick. "She does all the little things right in and out of the weight room that allow her to get stronger. Her leadership and ability to demonstrate through action drives those around her to push themselves."
DeAndre Byrd (Football), Malik Grant (Football), Kaylee Stenderowicz (Track and Field) and Alyssa Kinney (Equestrian) were the Pioneer honorees this season.
In six seasons under the direction of Assistant AD and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chris Fee, the Pioneers have had 39 All-America selections.
Byrd earns the honor for the second consecutive season. He has been an All-NEC honoree and a three-year starter for the Pioneers. He's been voted captain twice by his peers and serves on the team's leadership council. The Lawrenceville, Ga. native active in the team's community service projects including Read Aloud and White Ribbon Campaign.
Grant was named the New England Football Writer's Most Outstanding Player, and was also named the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year. A finalist for the Walter Payton Award, he was fourth in the FCS at 1,347 rushing yards – fifth on the SHU single-season list - and sixth with 112.2 yards per game. He was also named to the Hero Sports FCS Third-Team All-America squad. A First-Team All-NEC selection, Grant crossed the goal line 11 times, which was tops in the NEC and 32nd nationally. The Bronx, NY native was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week five times. His 228 yards against Merrimack was the sixth-highest single-game total in school history and the 10th-best in the FCS this year.
"Their work ethic, energy, and consistency to show up every day is unmatched. They give no excuses and lead by example," said Fee.
Stenderowicz was named Second Team All-NEC. The Fredon, N.J. native broke the school record three times in the triple jump. Stenderowicz's latest record breaker came at the Jim Barber & Jack Maloney Invitational when she recorded a first-place finish on a personal best leap of 12.12m. The junior notched 11 top-3 finishes in indoor and outdoor track combined this season with six victories. Stenderowicz finished second at 12.05m leap during the NEC Outdoor Championships.
"She is an outstanding athlete on and off the track. She shows up every day and gives it her all, all while pushing those around her to get better" stated strength and conditioning coach Keith Parker.
Kinney was named to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference Fences Team. She gave the Pioneers a point in the 6-2 victory over Dartmouth in the ECAC North Regional Championship with a score of 67 in fences. She was also named to the ECAC All-Academic Team this season.
"Alyssa, embodies the leadership and work ethic that is well deserved for this award" stated strength and conditioning coach Olivia Kibrick. "She does all the little things right in and out of the weight room that allow her to get stronger. Her leadership and ability to demonstrate through action drives those around her to push themselves."
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
/ Equestrian
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