Jamaica, N.Y.  The BIG EAST Conference announced the 2002-03 BIG EAST/Aeropostale Male and Female Scholar-Athlete Award winners today. Seniors Patrick Lonergan (Millington, N.J.) and Alesha Argeras (Warren, Ohio) were chosen as representatives for St. Johns, as each student-athlete will receive $2,000 toward graduate studies.

Lonergan, a sports management major, played a strong role in the success of the mens soccer team this season. He started all 21 games, solidifying the Red Storm defense that posted an NCAA leading 0.44 goals against average, including a school-record 13 shutouts. Lonergan was also named Third Team Academic All-American earlier this season.

Argeras, a mathematics major, started 53 of the 54 games for the Red Storm softball team last season. Argeras finished the season batting .206, placing in the top-five on the team in runs (16), RBIs (12) and doubles (8). At the end of last season, she was honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as an All-American Scholar Athlete, an honor that goes to student-athletes who earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. Argeras was also chosen as a member of the Greece National Team, that will compete in the 2004 Olympics.

The conference also announced the BIG EAST/Aeropostale Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Casey Schmidt, a forward on the Boston College mens soccer team, and Erin McIntyre, a swimmer for Rutgers, were honored as this years recipients. Each student-athlete will receive a $4,000 stipend which will be applied to their graduate studies.