America East Man of Year Finalists Announced - AmericaEast.com
The America East Conference announced today that University of Maine’s Kelton Cullenberg (cross country/track & field), University of New Hampshire’s Jeff Turner (soccer) and University of Vermont’s Luke Apfeld (basketball) have been named finalists for the 2014 America East Man of the Year award. The honor recognizes the conference’s senior female student-athlete who has best distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
The three finalists were selected from a pool of the nine America East institutional nominations, which were announced on May 6. To be nominated, student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2014 spring season, received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2014 term and had a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale). The 2014 America East Man of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, June 3 at the conference’s annual awards dinner in Bretton Woods, N.H., the site of the conference’s Annual Meeting, as well as via a news release on www.AmericaEast.com.
Kelton Cullenberg, Maine - Cross Country/Track & Field
• Has a 3.92 GPA as a kinesiology/exercise science Major and business administration minor.
• Earned All-America East honors three times this year, placing second individually in the cross country championship and the indoor 5,000 meters and won the
outdoor 5,000 meters.
• Earned Maine’s prestigious M Club Dean Smith Award in 2014.
• Named to Dean’s List and also named a Presidential Scholar for having a perfect 4.0 semester GPA six times.
• Named to America East All-Academic team and Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Jeff Turner, New Hampshire - Soccer
• Holds a 3.73 GPA in psychology.
• Four-year contributor for UNH’s men’s soccer program.
• Named to America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times.
• America East All-Academic selection.
• Volunteered with Big Brother, Big Sister of Greater Seacoast.
Luke Apfeld, Vermont - Basketball
• Has a 3.78 GPA as a graduate student in educational leadership and public policy.
• Graduated in 2013 with a 3.83 GPA as a dual major in English and sociology.
• Two-time team captain who scored 1,048 career points, good for 27th on Vermont’s all-time list.
• America East Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete for second-straight year.
• Three-time America East All-Academic choice.
• Received Vermont’s prestigious Semans Trophy in 2014.
This is the first year the conference will hand out the Man of the Year award. The America East has awarded a Woman of the Year since 2006 with the winner moving forward for a chance to be named the NCAA Woman of the Year. Athletic Directors and administrators at the nine America East institutions voted to begin awarding a Man of the Year beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.