Two Men’s Cross Country Runners Earn MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Honors
1/29/2021 1:11:00 PM | Cross Country
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the Fall 2020 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete awards on Friday morning. Two men's cross country runners earned this honor this year, junior Scott Loforte and sophomore Armani Merlino. A total of 24 student-athletes were given this honor from men's and women's cross country, as well as football. UB and Miami were the only schools that had two members from their respective men's cross country teams receive this award.
Following each season from the fall sports schedule, any student with a 3.20 GPA and participation in at least 50 percent of the contests was automatically named to the previously announced Academic All-MAC Team from each sport. The selection for the Distinguished Scholar Athlete included all student-athletes that were recognized as All-MAC selections and Academic All-MAC selections from their respective sport, along with maintaining a 3.50 GPA and above. First-year students, junior college transfers and graduate transfers in their first year of residence were not eligible for the award.
Scott Loforte, Junior, 3.938 GPA, Civil Engineering (Canandaigua, N.Y.)
The junior runner competed in both races for the 2020 season. He finished 2nd at the Tommy Evans Invitational and 11th at the MAC Championships.
Armani Merlino, Sophomore, 3.932 GPA, Computer Science (Lancaster, N.Y.)
Merlino had a strong sophomore season as he finished third at the Tommy Evans Invitational and 14th at the MAC Championships.
"Both Coach Witzleben and I are extremely pleased and proud of the work ethic and commitment that Scott and Armani bring each and every day to academic and athletic excellence, stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "They are great representatives of our program – working hard with integrity, and passion towards their respective academic programs. Coach Witzleben recruits young men who are competitive and the right academic fit for the University at Buffalo. The future is very bright for these two young men, and our distance squad."
"Scottie and Armani have achieved an incredible balance of both athletics and academics," stated Associate Head Coach Todd Witzleben. "As athletes, they've improved dramatically through hard training even with the unique conditions created by COVID. As engineering students, they have successfully challenged themselves with one of the most rigorous academic programs at the university. They are fine representatives of the UB cross country team."
For the entire MAC press release, click HERE.
For news and updates about the UB cross country and track & field teams, follow them on Twitter and check the official website of the UB Bulls.
Following each season from the fall sports schedule, any student with a 3.20 GPA and participation in at least 50 percent of the contests was automatically named to the previously announced Academic All-MAC Team from each sport. The selection for the Distinguished Scholar Athlete included all student-athletes that were recognized as All-MAC selections and Academic All-MAC selections from their respective sport, along with maintaining a 3.50 GPA and above. First-year students, junior college transfers and graduate transfers in their first year of residence were not eligible for the award.
Scott Loforte, Junior, 3.938 GPA, Civil Engineering (Canandaigua, N.Y.)
The junior runner competed in both races for the 2020 season. He finished 2nd at the Tommy Evans Invitational and 11th at the MAC Championships.
Armani Merlino, Sophomore, 3.932 GPA, Computer Science (Lancaster, N.Y.)
Merlino had a strong sophomore season as he finished third at the Tommy Evans Invitational and 14th at the MAC Championships.
"Both Coach Witzleben and I are extremely pleased and proud of the work ethic and commitment that Scott and Armani bring each and every day to academic and athletic excellence, stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "They are great representatives of our program – working hard with integrity, and passion towards their respective academic programs. Coach Witzleben recruits young men who are competitive and the right academic fit for the University at Buffalo. The future is very bright for these two young men, and our distance squad."
"Scottie and Armani have achieved an incredible balance of both athletics and academics," stated Associate Head Coach Todd Witzleben. "As athletes, they've improved dramatically through hard training even with the unique conditions created by COVID. As engineering students, they have successfully challenged themselves with one of the most rigorous academic programs at the university. They are fine representatives of the UB cross country team."
For the entire MAC press release, click HERE.
For news and updates about the UB cross country and track & field teams, follow them on Twitter and check the official website of the UB Bulls.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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