Three Herkimer College Students Awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Scholar Athlete Award

Herkimer, NY— Three Herkimer College student-athletes received the 2018 SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award recognizing a combination of outstanding academic excellence and superior athletic achievement. They were among only 84 recipients from the 64 SUNY campuses statewide to receive the award this year.

              “It is my pleasure to congratulate our Scholar Athlete awardees for their achievement in the classroom, and on the playing field,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “Whether competing at a Division I or intramural level, all of those honored today are committed to excellence in their athletic pursuits, sportsmanship, and personal development. They balance a challenging workload, while demonstrating leadership and service. Congratulations to all awardees at Herkimer College.”

              Chyanna Bernier (Ilion, NY) is a standout runner and an exemplary student. This is the second year that Bernier has been recognized with the SUNY Scholar Athlete Award. This year, she won first place (out of 134 runners) in the NJCAA National Championship Cross Country Tournament. Her awards include All Mountain Valley Conference team, All-Region team, first team All American, Region III Female Athlete of the Week and Herkimer College Green and Gold Club. Bernier also earned Women’s Athlete of the Week and Women’s Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

              Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY) is an exemplary student, as well as a standout soccer player. This year, she led the women’s soccer team to a second place national finish, the best ever placement for the women’s soccer program. Blumenstock is one of the all-time highest scorers for Herkimer. She has been named two-time first team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, two-time Region Three First Team, Region Three Player of the Year, Region Three championship tournament MVP, two-time United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week, three-time Region Three Player of the Week, two-time NJCAA National Player of the Week, National Championship All-Tournament team, United Soccer Coaches first team All-American, NJCAA first team All-American andNational Association of Two Year College Athletic Administrators Scholar Athlete of the Year honorable mention. Mikayla will be continuing her education and soccer career at Utica College.

              Shannon Moore (Norwich, NY) has excelled both academically and athletically. Moore helped lead both the 2017 and 2018 softball teams to regional championships and national tournament appearances, where the teams finished in third and second place, respectively. She has also received numerous awards, including 2017 first team All-Conference, 2017 first team All-Region, 2017 Region III Tournament MVP, 2017 first team NJCAA, 2017 first team NFCA, 2018 first team All-Region, 2018 first team All-Conference, and 2018 All American. Moore has accepted a full tuition athletic and academic scholarship to NCAA Division 2 College of Saint Rose. 

              All three recipients recently graduated from Herkimer College with the Class of 2018. “Chyanna, Shannon and Mikki are ideal student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Donald Dutcher. “The prestige that they brought to the institution is priceless.  They are all class act individuals who strive to be the best in everything they do and have the admiration of teammates, coaches and competitors. They have definitely each left a legacy at Herkimer College.”

              To be considered for this award, student-athletes had to be nominated by their athletic directors. Their academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were then reviewed by a panel of athletic directors from across the SUNY system and members of the SUNY Provost’s Office.