ANNVILLE, Pa. – Seven Widener student-athletes have been named 2023 Academic All-MAC as announced by the conference office on Wednesday morning.
Pat Holden on men's basketball, Alex Kristeller, Samuel Knowles, and Alden Littlefield of men's indoor track and field, and Carly Gable, Gabby Nye and Maria Muzzarelli of women's indoor track and field, were all recognized.
The Academic All-MAC teams recognize the top student-athletes both in the classroom and in athletic competition during the 2023 spring semester. The MAC athletics communication directors nominate and vote on the Academic All-MAC teams, giving 50 percent weight on both academic success and athletic success.
Pat Holden, a graduate student guard, helped lead his team to a post-season tournament appearance. Holden started 27 games and hit 58 three-pointers. He averaged 13.9 points per game and averaged nearly four assists per game. He tallied 34 stolen balls. A season high of 25 points against Hood (02/11), he reached Widener's 1,000 point club against the Blazers. In the first round of the NCAA Championship Tournament, Holden saw 11 points against Tufts (03/03). Holden graduated with a masters in business.
Alex Kristeller, a senior thrower, shined in the indoor season where he took silver at the DIII national level. At Nationals, Alex saw a distance of 20.55-meters set a new MAC and Widener record. Kristeller's throw earned him second place by less than a meter. For his throw, he was named an All-American. At the MAC championships, Alex won the gold in the hammer throw. He was named Men's Field Athlete of the Year for the Metro Region. This was an honor from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Kristeller studied robotics engineering.
Alden Littlefield had a great indoor season as well. The graduate student thrower competed at the DIII national level in shot put and placed fifth with a distance of 16.49. Littlefield was just .49 behind the fourth-place finisher. His throw just missed his own Widener record of 16.86-meters. At the MAC Championship, Alden took the gold in shot put with a 16.86-meter throw. Littlefield finished his collegiate studies with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Sophomore sprinter Samuel Knowles broke some records in his indoor season. At the MAC Championships, Knowles and his 4x200 teammates earn their first gold medal in the 4x200 relay ran a 1:31.76 which just cracks into the top 10 in Widener's All Time Top 10 list. Knowles earned his second gold medal in the 400-meter with a 49.45. Knowles' time earned him an AARTFC qualification. In the 200-meter dash, Knowles topped his championships with another gold. Knowles ran a 22.25. At Nationals, Sam placed fourth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.80. Knowles is currently stuying business management.
Carly Gable,a senior distance runner, was a part of the championship team for the Pride. At the MAC Championship, Carly placed fourth in the 3000-meter race with a time of 10:33.20 and placed third in the 5000-meter race with a time of 18:44.98. She also ran the 4x800, setting a Widener school record with a 9:53.08. Gable graduated with a degree in nursing.
Gabby Nye, a distance runner, also paced the Pride to a championship season. At the MAC Championships, Nye grabbed first in the mile with a 5:06.70 time. In the 3000-meter run, Nye crossed the finish line in a 10:25.35 to grab a silver and did it again in the 5000-meter run with a time of 18:29.51. Nye was also a part of the record breaking 4x800 relay team as well. Nye is currenlty a double major in biology/pre-physical therapy and spanish.
Maria Muzzarelli had a great indoor season and helped her team to the title. Muzzarelli took home the gold in the 60-meter dash at the MAC Championships with a time of 7.68. She also placed second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.26. She was also a part of a gold medal finish in the 4x200 meter relay with a 1:45.74 finish. At NCAA DIII Nationals, Muzzarelli qualified for the 60-meter dash after her performance at the 2023 MAC Championships. Her time of 7.68 seconds ranked her 15th in the nation and awarded her a spot to compete at the NCAA Championships. Muzzarelli competed in the preliminary round of the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.78 seconds. Her time just missed her own Widener school record by .10 and the final round by .23. Muzzarelli returned to Chester ranked 18th in the nation. Muzzarelli is currently studying biology/pre-occupational therapy.
