Florida Tech Panthers Sports Roundup

By  //  May 29, 2014

All rowers hold a minimum 3.5 GPA

ROWING — Florida Tech’s Samantha McCuskey, Hannah Santa Lucia and Taylor Troy have earned Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Scholar Athlete recognition, announced Tuesday evening.

Samantha McCuskey, Taylor Troy and Hannah Santa Lucia (left to right) received their first CRCA Scholar Athlete honor on Wednesday. (Florida Tech Image)
Samantha McCuskey, Taylor Troy and Hannah Santa Lucia (left to right) received their first CRCA Scholar Athlete honor on Wednesday. (Florida Tech Image)

All three rowers hold a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.

McCuskey, a chemical engineering major, currently has a perfect 4.0 GPA through her junior year. A couple weeks ago, she was voted Capital One Academic All-District. A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she has coxed the varsity eight the last two seasons.

Santa Lucia, a mechanical engineering major from Windham, Connecticut, rowed bow in the varsity eight as a junior this season. Following the Sunshine State Conference Championship in April, she was chosen to the conference’s all-rowing team.

Troy, a sophomore forensic psychology major from Brigantine, New Jersey, was a member of the varsity four that finished fifth in the grand final at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta earlier this month.

To be eligible, student-athletes must be in their second, third or fourth year of eligibility, rowed in at least 75-percent of their spring races or raced in a regional conference regatta, and have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher for their collegiate career.

Schiemann Finishes 11th in the Decathlon at the NCAA Championships

Florida Tech freshman Christian Schiemann entered the final five events of the decathlon at the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday in 11th place.

Nick Dodson
Nick Dodson

“Christian had a great year, and to place 11th as a freshman was huge,” said assistant coach Nick Dodson. “He had some great performances especially the pole vault. I was very proud of him, and I know for a fact he has a bright future.”

Schiemann made a charge up the standings on day two, but fell back to finish 11th with a program record 6,856 total points.

Freshman Christian Schiemann won the pole vault stage of the decathlon with a vault of 4.90 meters, and finsihed the overall event in 11th place at the NCAA Championships. (Florida Tech Image)
Freshman Christian Schiemann won the pole vault stage of the decathlon with a vault of 4.90 meters, and finsihed the overall event in 11th place at the NCAA Championships. (Florida Tech Image)

Schiemann started the day by winning his heat in the 110 meter hurdles. He placed 10th overall in the event with a time of 15.48 seconds. Schiemann then placed 12th in the discus throw with a toss of 36 meters, but picked up a big win in the pole vault. He set a new program record with a clean vault of 4.90 meters to claim the event. A throw of 51.52 meters and a third place finish in the javelin throw moved Schiemann into eight place with one event to go. The last event, the 1,500 meter run, was not kind to him as he finished 16th with a time of 5:21.35. The finish dropped him to 11th place in the final standings.

Christian Schiemann
Christian Schiemann

“What we have worked on all year has worked,” Dodson said. “He was very coachable this year, and trusted in me that I was giving him the workouts necessary to be successful.”

J Patrick Smith of Chico State won the national championship in the decathlon with 7,645 points. He finished 207 points clear of teammate Theodore Elsenbaumer. Payson Maydew of Emporia State finished third with a total of 7,413 points. Schiemann was the highest finisher among the four freshmen in the field.

“I am excited about our program and the direction we are headed,” Dodson said. “This was a great experience for our team, and especially Christian. We know what we need to work on and what to do to be the best. We will be prepared and ready to go next season. Like I told Christian, ‘In order to win and be the best, there is always a price to pay and adversity to overcome.’ He fought like a champion today and I could not ask for more.”

Florida Tech Football Kicks Off September 13 Against Ave Maria

FOOTBALL — FIT will open its home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. against Ave Maria.

Inaugural season ticket holders can renew their seats for the 2014 season in one of four ways.
Inaugural season ticket holders can renew their seats for the 2014 season in one of four ways.

Its remaining home games are all against Gulf South Conference opponents – Delta State on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m., North Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m., Mississippi College in its Homecoming Game on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. and Valdosta State in its regular-season finale on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

Season ticket renewals are being accepted over the phone at 321-674-6228 and by mail addressed to the following location: Florida Tech Athletic Ticket Office, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL. 32901.