Widener senior Tyla Conicello (West Conshohocken, PA) from the women's swimming team and senior Brian Pastor (Chambersburg, PA) from the football squad each were presented their Middle Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete Awards in their respective sport.
The awards were presented during the league's annual awards luncheon, which this year took place at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.
Conicello, who sports a 3.822 GPA in Social Work, adds yet another award to what already is an impressive resume. She is a two-time member of the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team with the 2010 announcement pending and a three-time member of the MAC Academic Honor Roll.
This year was a strong one for Conicello, one of the captains on a squad which ended fourth in the league. She was part of the 200-yard medley relay team that closed third at this year’s MAC Championships and a member of the school-record 200 and 400-yard medley relay teams.
Also this season, Conicello won the 100-yard backstroke and the 50-yard freestyle to go with being on the winning 200-yard medley relay team against Lebanon Valley. She also won the 100-yard freestyle against Elizabethtown.
She also was part of one other winning team in the 200-yard medley relay, three victorious 400-yard medley relay squads and one winning 400-yard freestyle relay unit.
Away from the pool, Conicello served as President of Student Government and participated in Alternative Spring Break.
Pastor's was tabbed after he was named CoSIDA first team Academic All-District and to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team.
Pastor enjoyed another standout year as he was tied for 17th in the MAC with 6.1 tackles per game and third on the team with 61 tackles. He also was tied for third on the squad with 39 solo tackles to go with three pass deflections, two breakups and an interception.
Among his single-game highlights include 12 tackles with 10 solos against King’s on October 10, a forced fumble at FDU-Florham on October 2 and a 31-yard interception return vs. Lycoming on October 17.
Last season, Pastor was tied for second on the team with two interceptions and sixth overall with 45 tackles.
Pastor is a two-year member of the MAC Academic Honor Roll and sports a 3.868 GPA in Management.