Pick #1-Laura Huwa
Eystin Salum-Football
Salum is a human highlight reel. His speed and his arm strength have made him a touchdown machine for the Mavericks over the last two years as the quarterback for the Mavericks. His leadership on the offense has been a key component to the success the football program has experienced in the last two seasons.
Pick #2-Josue Perez
Lawan Abary-Men’s Soccer
The talent Lawan Abary has displayed for men’s soccer during his first year at CMU has been nothing short of excellent. The junior has already made a name for himself in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference as he is always featured at the top in scoring categories. He also leads the team in points.
At 6’4 with speed and athleticism, there is not many that come around possessing the tools Abary has. His length allows him to stretch the field for the Mavericks, and his height allows for plenty of action on corner kicks towards the goal.
Abary’s personality is one his team loves to have around. As a team-first player, Abary is doing his part in what has turned into a great season so far for the Mavericks. It’s safe to say Abary’s name will be thrown around when the end of season RMAC considerations are discussed.
Pick #3-Matt Kennedy
Kevin Del Mazo-Men’s Soccer
Kevin Del Mazo is a player who stands out among others. His selflessness on the soccer field and his skill compare to only of those who stand in the elite of NCAA soccer. The all-time leader in assists for CMU stands at only 5’8 but what he lacks for in size he makes up for in skill and speed. Del Mazo has only gotten better in his four years with the Mavericks and has been a key essential part of CMU’s success in the last four years in the RMAC.
Pick #4-Laura Huwa
Lindsi Peters-Women’s Lacrosse
Peters is an outstanding person as well as an outstanding athlete. She ran across the country for cancer patients the summer before her sophomore year and lead the CMU women’s lacrosse team in points last season. Even though she is not listed on the active roster for this upcoming season, Peters still have done enough in her CMU career to be considered one of the best players in recent memory.
Pick #5-Josue Perez
MacKenzie Edwards-Volleyball
The volleyball team is without a doubt glad to have a student-athlete like MacKenzie Edwards on their roster. After putting together two straight superb seasons, Edwards is doing much of the same in her senior season. She is averaging 3.04 kills per set and 2.48 digs per set.
Edwards has been a model Maverick. A kind, humble individual with a fierce fire of competitiveness during a match, her Maverick career has been extraordinary. She has been an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, earned First-Team AVCA All-South Central Region honors, and is a two-time First-Team All-RMAC player.
Edwards also takes care of business in the classroom. The Lakewood native has twice been named to the RMAC All-Academic First-Team.
Edwards recently recorded the 1,000th kill of her career, becoming just the sixth Maverick in the rally-scoring era to reach the milestone.
As one of the best players in the RMAC, Edwards will always be remembered for the humility off the floor and competitive fire on the floor. student-athlete career that will forever be flourished with accomplishments.
Pick #6-Matt Kennedy
Peter Anderson-Football
Anderson is fast…plain and simple. Speed can do a lot for a player, and for a wide receiver like Anderson, it is his main asset. The Mavericks are known to be able to attack fast in the air and the connection from Eystin Salum to Anderson if the primary route the team takes. Anderson has been the primary target for the Mavericks this season and recently broke the record for most receiving yards in a single game.
Pick #7-Laura Huwa
Nolan Ellis-Track & Field
He is the 2018 NCAA Division II Indoor National Champion and an All American. His athletic ability and his talent are enough to make him desirable on any program in NCAA Div. II. Pole Vault takes a lot of skills and so much strength to be good at. Ellis possesses both the skill and the strength that has allows him to literally elevate him over the rest of the competition.
Pick #8-Josue Perez
Alexis Allard-Women’s Soccer
Although the women’s soccer team has faced an up-and-down season so far, the team continues to play competitively in every match, and some of that play can be attributed to Alexis Allard, the junior who goes to battle for the team. Allard was second in minutes played last year with 1,481. She is on the same pace this year and continues to put together a solid season, leading the Mavericks in points with six (two goals, two assists).
Allard was a First-Team All-RMAC selection in 2017 and looks to be in the conversation once again for her 2018 season. To play that many minutes and still play effectively shows a model of consistency that is unmatched. Discipline, durability, and knowledge of the game are factors Allard strives in.
Pick #9-Matt Kennedy
Kyle Leahy-Baseball
Quiet yet deadly. Basically sums up Kyle Leahy in a short bunch. The man is dominant on the mound. He is an RMAC Pitcher of the Year, has a career ERA of 3.13 but had a career-best ERA in 2017 of 1.41. His junior year may not have been his best but he is on track to have a monster of a season in the spring of 2019.
Pick #10-Laura Huwa
Ammar Hassan-Swim & Dive
The man from Egypt came into his first year at CMU and won an RMAC title in his very first meet. He capped his first year by winning two NCAA Division II Diving Championships and was the first diver in CMU history to ever do so. He competed on a national level in his home country in Egypt and his career as a Mavericks is only getting started.
Pick #11-Josue Perez
Conner Nichols-Men’s Basketball
Men’s basketball may have a new coach this upcoming season, but Connor Nichols returns for his final year as a Maverick after posting an elite 2017 season. At 6’6, the guard is a dynamic offensive player with a sweet shooting stroke and ball-handling skills that allow him to get around defenders. His long arms and quick hands also allow for great defense and rebounding. Nichols was second on the team in steals with 29.
Nichols was a First-Team All-RMAC selection last year, his first, after leading the Mavericks with 19.5 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. Nichols was a two-time All-State selection in his native Arizona, and his play has transferred to the college level.
Pick #12-Matt Kennedy
Briley Guarneri-Men’s Soccer
Guarneri is already considered one of the best goalkeepers in CMU men’s soccer history. Ever since his freshman year, he has stared almost every game for the Mavericks and has not slowed down. He recently passed 50 wins in his career and his senior season is not even finished yet. Guarneri leads by example on the field and the energy he brings onto the field reflects on the defense on the rest of the men’s soccer team.
