University of Massachusets Athletics
Christina DeRosa, Jason Small, and Karen Upperco Named UMass Winter Scholar-Athletes
April 16, 2008 | Women's Track & Field
April 16, 2008
AMHERST, Mass. - Track and field's Christina DeRosa, skiing's Jason Small and diving's Karen Upperco were honored by the UMass Athletic Department as the Winter Scholar-Athletes of the season. All three student-athletes excelled in and out of the classroom this winter and were honored at the weekly sports luncheon in the Campus Center.
DeRosa (Sound Beach, N.Y.) is a senior majoring in kinesiology. During the cross-country season, DeRosa was named to A-10 Academic All-Conference team and earned 2007 All-Conference honors after finishing in the top-15 at the A-10 Championship. DeRosa was also named the league's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. At the Atlantic 10 Indoor Championships, DeRosa took second place in the 5K with a time of 16:42.99 to break the UMass record held by Kelly Liljeblad that was set in 1995. DeRosa also placed second in the 3K meter run with a time of 9:55.18. Following her record breaking performance, DeRosa was ranked 20th in the nation according to the NCAA. DeRosa was presented the award by Dr. Frank Rife, Undergraduate Program Director and Chief Advisor of the kinesiology department, and her coach, Julie LaFreniere.
Small (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) is a senior engineering major. During the winter season, Small helped lead the men's ski team to the 2008 USCSA National Championships in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom events. Small took second place finish in the slalom with a time of 1:40.17. This was the first time in UMass history that the men have won the USCSA National Championship. Before this year, the highest placing for the men's ski team was third place, back in 2005. Small was presented the award by Professor C.V. Hollot, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department Head.
Upperco (Titusville, N.J.) is a junior majoring in psychology. Upperco took the gold medal in the 1-meter board at the Atlantic 10 Championships. She was also named the Most Outstanding Diver at the A-10 Championships. At the NCAA Zone Regional Meet, Upperco finished fourth overall out of 22 divers on both boards with a score 532.65 in the one-meter and 563.65 on the three-meter board. Upperco was presented the award by Brendan Shaw, PhD Candidate, Comparative Literature, and her coach, Mandy Hixon.
