Rider Athletes of the Year 2005-2006
Modrov of Men's Swimming & Diving
Fenlator of Women's Track & Field
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ--Brandon Modrov, a junior from Smithtown, NY, and Jazmine Fenlator, a junior from Wayne, NJ, have been named the Rider University Athletes of the Year for the 2005-2006 academic year.
“I would like to congratulate Brandon and Jazmine on being chosen as Rider's Athletes of the Year,” said Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum. “They have both represented themselves, their teams, their coaches, the department and the University extremely well and both should be proud of their accomplishments."
Fenlator was an All-East performer in three different events; the 20 pound weight throw, the outdoor shot put and the discus, and qualified for the NCAA Regional in both the shot put and the discus. She set Rider records in five different events and was a member of the MAAC All-Academic team, and was named one of the top 25 performers in the 25-year history of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
“Her competitive spirit is what makes the difference with Jazmine,” said Rider Track & Field Coach Rob Pasquariello. “At the level that she competes at, the Eastern and Regional level, everyone is talented. It takes a special, competitive drive to get into those winner's circles. She just wants it more than most kids.”
Modrov won seven gold medals at the MAAC Swimming & Diving Championships to earn the MAAC Most Outstanding Swimmer award. During the season he set four Rider pool records, three Rider team records and a MAAC record.
“Brandon has improved every year, mainly through hard work and serious summer training,” said Rider Swimming & Diving Head Coach Steve Fletcher, the MAAC Coach of the Year in 2005-06.
“I was shocked when Coach told me about this,” said Modrov. “I didn't even think I would be considered with all of the great athletes we have at Rider. And so many great athletes have won this award; to be mentioned with them is quite an honor.”
“I was very surprised when Coach P. told me,” said Fenlator, “and I didn't really know how to react. My first reaction was 'They picked me from all of the great women athletes we have at Rider?' It made me excited to do more next year.”
Fenlator was the MAAC Champion in the shot put, indoor and outdoor (MAAC record), and the MAAC Champion and record setter in the discus. She qualified for the ECAC Championships in four events, and was ranked fifth in the East in the discus, sixth in the East and 53rd in the nation in the outdoor shot put, and seventh in the East in the weight throw.
“Qualifying for the NCAA Regionals in the shot outdoor was probably the thing I am most proud of,” said Fenlator. “Last year I made it for the discus but the shot wasn't up to par. This year, qualifying in two events, that was special. I was disappointed in my performance at the NCAA, knowing I could do better,” said Fenlator. “The long season took its toll. The support I got from all three of the coaches there, and the support I got from my teammates before I left and when I returned, that was great.”
Fenlator was Rider's first ECAC Champion, winning the discus in 2005, and is a four-time All-East performer. She enters her senior year with six MAAC gold medals, the most ever by a Rider female field performer.
“The discus is my favorite, although I put more pressure on myself in that event,” said Fenlator. “The hammer is the most fun. That is my stress reliever, it is a fun event. I'm still pretty new at it, still learning, but with the hammer you can just let it fly and have fun. I didn't like the discus in high school, I thought it was awkward, but once it clicked I began to like it.”
At the MAAC Championships Modrov set a Rider record with a first place finish in the 200 individual medley, won the 400 individual medley with a MAAC record time, won the 200 breaststroke in a Rider record time, swam on four winning relays, and was named to the MAAC All-Academic team. “Brandon's versatility made us a better team this year,” Fletcher said.
Modrov and his sister, freshman Priscilla, brought national attention to Rider when the siblings were featured in Sports Illustrated for both earning MAAC Championship Most Outstanding Swimmer awards. “I think the highlight of the year, for me, was when my sister and I both won the MAAC awards and having my picture taken with my sister with our awards. That was the best,” Modrov said.
Modrov becomes Rider's first male swimmer to win the award, and Fenlator becomes the first female member of the track & field team to earn Rider Athlete of the Year honors. “The fact that no male swimmer has won it before makes it even more special, because we've had some great swimmers here,” said Modrov. “This really tops off an exciting year.”
