Merrimack's Bellmont, Benischek Named All-Americans

announced that David Bellmont of Melrose from the football team and Sarah Benischek of Shrub Oak, N.Y., from the women’s basketball team were awarded National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American honors from head strength coach Mike Kamal.

Bellmont was a preseason All-American offensive tackle, who earned all-conference honors and graduated with a degree in sports medicine.

Benischek, a sports medicine major who graduated in May, started all 27 games as a senior captain, averaging nine points per game.

In addition, Kamal announced the Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year from each intercollegiate sport from the 2010-11 season.

“These awards go to student-athletes who show dedication on the field and in the weight room in and out of their competitive season,” said Kamal. “They have pushed their team to improve daily and their impact was felt on the field and throughout the department.”

The following earned Athletes of the Year honors from 2010-11:

• Men’s Cross Country/Track – John Doherty
• Women’s Cross Country/Track – Caitlin Kasala-Hallinan
• Field Hockey – April Daugherty
• Football – Nick Desjardins
• Men’s Soccer – Victor Plaza
• Women’s Soccer – Jessica Peacock
• Volleyball – Natalee Yeazle
• Men’s Basketball – Wayne Mack
• Women’s Basketball – Katie Ganser
• Hockey – Chris Barton
• Baseball – Joe Mantoni
• Softball – Monique Gosselin
• Men’s Lacrosse – Joe Broderick
• Women’s Lacrosse – Liz Lyons
• Men’s Tennis – Max Eppley