WEXFORD, Pa. (May 16) – Recently graduated Saint Vincent College student-athletes Olivia Persin (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) and C.J. Ciecierski (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) were honored at the annual Presidents' Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet, held at the Chadwick.
 
Each of the 11 full-time PAC institutions, and its two football affiliate members, were represented at the event by some of their most distinguished student-athletes. Established in 2014, the Scholar-Athlete Banquet honors the conference's student-athletes for their excellence in the classroom, athletic achievement and community service efforts.
 
Along with playing two seasons on the Saint Vincent women's volleyball team, Persin was a four-year starter at shortstop for the Bearcat softball team. One of the most consistent performers in the PAC over her 129-game career, Persin graduated with a .368 career batting average, 153 hits, 26 doubles, 66 RBIs and 121 runs scored. As a sophomore in 2022, she earned her first All-PAC selection after ranking in the top three in the PAC in batting average (.460), hits (57), on-base percentage (.492) and runs scored (41 - a program record). In 2023, she batted .328 and scored a team-leading 36 runs, before wrapping up her career by batting .355 with 37 hits, 34 runs scored, 20 RBIs and a .451 on-base percentage en route to landing her second career All-PAC nod.
 
Along with her All-PAC accolades, Persin was named CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District in both 2022 and 2023 and is a three-year selection the PAC Academic Honor Roll and a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete.
 
Persin graduated from Saint Vincent College summa cum laude with a triple major in mathematics, computer science, and data science. She was also president of Saint Vincent College's Student Government Association (SGA) executive board, SGA class president and treasurer, treasurer of the Saint Vincent Women in STEM Club and Mathematics Club, a member of the College's Orientation Committee and active in the College's Campus Ministry.
 
She earned induction into the Alpha Lambda Delta (first-year), Pi Mu Epsilon (mathematics), Alpha Iota Mu (information systems) and Chi Alpha Sigma (athletics) national honor societies, while at the Saint Vincent College Honors Convocation on April 24, Persin was presented with the Saint Vincent College President's Award. The College's highest honor, it is awarded to the member of the graduating class who best embodies what the College values in its students: academic achievement, leadership, and community service. After completing internships through the U.S. Department of Defense, the Office of Naval Research and Lockheed Martin, Persin will work for the federal government. 
 
Ciecierski was an anchor on the offensive line for the Saint Vincent College football team. After seeing extensive playing time as a freshman in 2020, Ciecierski stepped into the full-time starting spot at right tackle in 2021, a role he would not relinquish. In 2021, he earned All-PAC accolades and was voted the Bearcats' Most Valuable Lineman after helping lead the team to a berth in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl, spearheading an offensive line unit that surrendered only 17 quarterback sacks, paved the way for 16 rushing touchdowns, and helped quarterback Brady Walker throw for 2,721 yards and 22 touchdowns. After missing the bulk of the 2022 season due to injury, Ciecierski stepped right back into a full-time starting role at right tackle as a senior, playing nearly every snap on offense and landing a spot on the PAC Sportsmanship Team.
 
A four-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, Ciecierski was selected to the Hampshire Honor Society and the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District squad.
 
Ciecierski graduated from Saint Vincent College summa cum laude with a double major in biochemistry and engineering, and a minor in mathematics. At the 2024 Saint Vincent College Honors Convocation, he was presented the Award for Academic Excellence in Biochemistry, which is given annually to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average in his/her field of study. He has earned induction into the Alpha Lambda Delta (first-year), Tri Beta (biological), Gamma Sigma Epsilon (chemistry) and Chi Alpha Sigma (athletics) honor societies. The 2023 Saint Vincent College Homecoming king, Ciecierski was a four-year vice president of the Saint Vincent College Student Government Association (SGA), while he served as a three-year member of the College's Orientation Committee.
 
Ciecierski will pursue a career in medicine, and will attend Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine beginning this summer.