Nov. 11, 2007

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena field hockey standout Emily Winslow and sophomore cross country runner Jed Turnbull have been named as the Leo Dufort Student-Athletes of the Month for October. The two student-athletes excelled in leading their teams both on and of the field while also exhibiting outstanding work in the classroom.

Winslow, a senior midfielder from Webster, N.Y. has been an integral part of the Siena field hockey program over the past four years. On the field, Winslow led the Saints in scoring during her sophomore season and in her final campaign for the Green and Gold this fall, she led the team in assists.

Off the field, Winslow has exemplified the true meaning of the word "student-athlete" by posting a cumulative GPA of 3.89, including 3.94 GPA during the last spring semester. Three times she has been named an NFHCA National All-Academic Team selection. During her junior season, she was selected to the NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and following her sophomore season, she was tabbed an NEC Valley National Bank Scholar Athlete.

In addition, Winslow competes in two varsity sports at Siena. This spring she will conclude her senior season playing on defense for the Saints women's lacrosse team.

"It takes a special person to be able to play competitively in two Division I sports and also do as well as she does in the classroom," noted assistant field hockey coach Kaitlyn Skelley. "I could not be happier for her, she definitely deserves this honor."

Meanwhile Turnbull has already made a huge impact both in the classroom and on the course as just a sophomore for head coach Jim Bowles. The Washingtonville, N.Y. native paced the Saints on the course this fall winning multiple events and for his efforts was named MAAC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week on October 22nd.

Turnbull has also excelled in the classroom, garnering 3.63 cumulative GPA, including 3.83 mark during the spring. Following the fall season, Turnbull was also named to the MAAC Cross Country All-Academic Team.

"He (Jed) proves that hard work is more than just natural talent," remarked Bowles. "He exhibits strong work and great leadership both on and off the course which is why his teammates chose him as a co-captain for next season. I can't think of anyone more deserving for this award."

The Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month Award is presented nine times annually (September-May) throughout the academic year. The award recognizes exemplary achievements in both academics and athletics. The late Leo Dufort received B.S. in marketing and management from Siena in August of 1977. His entire academic career was completed on a part-time basis beginning in the spring of 1961, as a married adult while at the same time raising five children. He passed away suddenly of a heart attack while cross country skiing in February of 1993. His wife Jeanine wanted to do something to immortalize his memory. The original plaque was donated to athletics and the department began the Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month Award to help carry out his legacy. Dufort graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1954, was a Navy Veteran (USS Bennington) who worked for JL Hammett Co. at the time of his death.