Best Syracuse athletes since 2000: 2015-19

We’re still waiting for sports to be back so let’s continue looking back at Syracuse Orange athletics since 2000. We’re going to go year by year to determine the best male and female athlete for each year since 2000.

Here are the rules, in order to be eligible for the title the athlete has to be participating for a Syracuse University team during that year, so we are only looking at collegiate careers when we make our selection. Today we move into the final part of our series: 2015-2019.

2015: Alyssa Manley (Field Hockey) and Justyn Knight (M. Cross-Country)

Manley was the 2015 Honda National Player of the Year, a 1st-Team All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She helped lead the Orange to the school’s 1st National Championship for a women’s team. Knight’s 4th-place finish led Syracuse as the cross-country team captured the 2nd National Championship in program history. He was also the ACC Outdoor Champion in the 1500m.

Also considered:

Deirdre Fitzpatrick (Rowing)

Emma Russell (Field Hockey)

Stephanie Grossi (Ice Hockey)

Shaina Harrison (W. Track & Field)

Julian Buescher (M. Soccer)

Rakim Christmas (M. Basketball)

Kevin Rice (M. Lacrosse)

Zaire Franklin (Football)

2016: Brittney Sykes (W. Basketball) and Miles Robinson (M. Soccer)

Sykes helped lead the Orange to their first National Championship game earning Honorable-Mention All-America honors. She was 3rd in the ACC in points (19.2) and eight in rebounds (7.8) landing a spot on the 1st-team All-ACC and All-Defensive squads. Robinson was named 1st-Team All-American, 1st-Team All-ACC and ACC Defensive Player of the Year as he anchored a defense which recorded 11 shutouts. Robinson also scored four goals which tied for 3rd best on the team.

Also considered:

Kayla Treanor (W. Lacrosse)

Roos Weers (Field Hockey)

Alexis Peterson (W. Basketball)

Stephanie Grossi (Ice Hockey)

Deirdre Fitzpatrick (Rowing)

Stephanie Skilton (W. Soccer)

Mike Gbinije (M. Basketball)

Eric Dungey (Football)

2017: Sydney O’Hara (Softball) and Justyn Knight (M. XC/Track)

O’Hara was named a 3rd-team All-American and was a 1st-team All-ACC performer. She became the 5th player in NCAA history to hit four home runs in a game. Sydney hit .476 on the season and recorded a record of 9-3 with six saves and an ERA of 1.86 on the mound. Knight won the Orange’s first individual NCAA Cross-Country Championship. He also won four ACC titles in cross-country/track in 2017 and was named ACC Performer of the Year in cross-country and indoor track.

Also considered:

Courtney Brosnan (W. Soccer)

Kadejhia Sellers (W. Track)

Freddie Crittenden III (M. Track)

Zaire Franklin (Football)

Tyler Lydon (M. Basketball)

2018: Tiana Managahkia (W. Basketball) and Eric Dungey (Football)

Tiana was an Honorable Mention All-American, and 1st-team All-ACC honoree. She set the Syracuse career assists record and led the Orange in points (573), points per game (16.9), assists per game (8.4), and free throw percentage (88.2%). Dungey was one of the key players in Syracuse’s 10-win season. He was a 3rd-team All-ACC selection as he threw for 2,868 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 754 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Also Considered:

Santita Ebangwese (Volleyball)

Gabriela Knutson (Tennis)

Shannon Malone (W. XC/Track)

Andre Cisco (Football)

Tyus Battle (M. Basketball)

2019: Paige Stoner (W. Track & Field ) and Sterling Hofrichter (Football)

Stoner was the ACC Champion in the 3k steeplechase and 10k at the ACC Outdoor Championships. She set two outdoor school records on her way to All-American honors. Hofrichter was named as an All-American, 1st-team All-ACC and was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award.

Also considered:

Gabriela Knutson (Tennis)

Allie Munroe (Ice Hockey)

Paulina Shermanova (Volleyball)

Tyus Battle (M. Basketball)

Ryan Raposo (M. Soccer)

Iliass Aouani (M. Track)

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Thanks for joining us in this look back. Let us know which athletes we should have honored.