TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) -- Allegheny College junior Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa. | Keystone) and Franciscan University graduate student Ryan Ozymy (Ennis, Texas | Avalon) were named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for January.
Each month, the SAAC groups at PAC member institutions are asked to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for PAC SAAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month consideration based on academic and athletic accomplishments. Nominees must be varsity team members in their respective sport and in their junior or senior year. Scholar-Athlete of the Month nominees must also have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and be actively involved within their campus communities.
During the month of January, Lauer averaged 15.8 points per game in eight games, shooting 43 percent from the field (52-of-121). Helping the Gators to a 7-1 month, the guard also grabbed 37 rebounds (4.6 per game) and added 12 assists (1.5 per game) and 15 steals (1.87 per game). She currently ranks second in the PAC in scoring (16.8 points per game), second in field goal percentage (.436) and first in free throw percentage (.775). In 2022-23, Lauer was a Jostens Trophy Finalist and was named First Team All-PAC.
The junior biology major maintains a 3.86 GPA and was a Distinguished Alden Scholar (Dean’s List of 3.8+) in 2021-22. In 2022-23, Lauer was a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, was named an Alden Scholar (Dean's List of 3.5+ GPA) and on the PAC Spring Academic Honor Roll.
On campus, Lauer serves as the SAAC Secretary and Public Relations representative and has been a student assistant for the sports medicine staff. She is very involved in the community serving as a behavioral health technician for Family Psychological in Clarion County, Pa., a pharmacy technician for Tom’s Riverside Pharmacy in Knox, Pa., and has shadowed at the Precious Paws Animal Rescue. Lauer has volunteered for the Clarion County Junior Olympics, Meadville’s Children and Youth Services, and Meadville’s Active Aging Center, as well as helping with the French Creek Cleanup and Mental Health Community Days.
Female January honorable mention nominees included: Bethany senior Makenzee Mason (basketball), Franciscan senior Sarah Kelty (swimming), Geneva junior Saige Musser (indoor track & field), Grove City junior Danika Sudar (indoor track & field); W&J junior Jadyn Hartner (indoor track & field), Waynesburg senior Gabi Reifsnyder (indoor track & field) and Westminster fifth-year Natalie Murrio (basketball).
Ozymy had a stellar performance during the month of January and posted a personal-best time in the 800m of 1:54.11 at Kent State's Doug Raymond National Qualifier. That time, the fastest in the PAC this winter at the time, is also the second fastest in program history and placed him fifth out of 24 runners behind only two from Division II Ashland and two from Division I Kent State. In the final event of the day, Ozymy helped the Barons set a program record in the 4x400 relay, as the relay finished with a time of 3:24.63 to place sixth in the meet and record the fastest time in the PAC this season. This performance earned Ozymy PAC Track Athlete of the Week honors for January 22-28. Ozymy has been named an All-Conference runner seven times throughout his career between both indoor and outdoor track and field.
The graduate student maintains an impressive 3.94 GPA while studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ozymy was a 2022-23 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection and has been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll two times.
On campus, Ozymy has taken part in project work with the Psychology Department, as well as Pugliese Middle School.
Male January honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny junior Luke Barker (basketball), Bethany junior Tsi Fofang (indoor track & field), Geneva senior Ryan Rachic (basketball), Grove City junior Chase Yarberough (basketball); W&J senior Ian Baughman (indoor track & field); Waynesburg graduate student Quintin Weaver (indoor track & field) and Westminster senior Reese Leone (basketball).