Completed Event: Cross Country at Spider Alumni Open on August 30, 2025 , , 5th of 14
XC
Final
James Madison
at Spider Alumni Open
5th of 14
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Four Earn CAA Leadership & Sport Excellence Awards
6/24/2019 3:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Track & Field, Student-Athlete Services
RICHMOND, Va. – James Madison had four student-athletes selected as recipients of the Colonial Athletic Association's Leadership and Sport Excellence Awards in the second year of the award. Lacrosse's Halle Duenkel, Cross Country's Erica Jackson, Track & Field's Nicolette Serratore and Men's Soccer's Thomas Shores have earned the awards for their respective sports.
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The award mirrors the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award, which is presented in men's and women's basketball, and the Chuck Boone Leadership Award, which is presented in football. One student-athlete was chosen from each of the 19 other sports sponsored by the CAA for embodying the highest standards of leadership, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship in his or her academic and athletic achievements.
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Halle Duenkel, Lacrosse. A valuable member of the JMU women's lacrosse team, Duenkel has played in nearly every game since her freshman season. In addition to her on-field demands, Duenkel has been heavily involved with on-campus organizations. The junior played a large role in helping JMU lacrosse triple its community service hours and earn the IWLCA Team Community Service Award in 2017-18. She is a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and has helped generate over $90,000 to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Duenkel majors in computer information systems and has a 3.655 GPA.
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Erica Jackson, Cross Country. Jackson has been named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) All-Academic Team for four consecutive years and has participated in multiple research projects. A health sciences major with a 3.729 GPA, Jackson has volunteered with individuals with disabilities, as well as assisted in rehabilitation clinics. Jackson placed fifth at the 2018 CAA Championships, earning her All-CAA accolades.
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Nicolette Serratore, Track & Field. Serratore took gold in the heptathlon at the 2019 CAA Championships and ranks first all-time in JMU history in the javelin and heptathlon. The senior kinesiology major has a cumulative 3.728 GPA and has been active in her community. She volunteered to collect goods for Hurricane Harvey survivors and is a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa, a service fraternity that helps with Relay for Life, the Big Event, and Patchwork Pantry.
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Thomas Shores, Men's Soccer. Shores was the JMU team captain in his junior and senior year and was an All-CAA honoree in 2018. Shores, a quantitative finance, mathematics, and economics major, has volunteered for numerous organizations during his time at JMU, including serving as a VITA tax volunteer. In 2018, Shores helped lead the Dukes to their first NCAA quarterfinal appearance since 1995 and to JMU's first 15-win season since 2004.
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The award mirrors the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award, which is presented in men's and women's basketball, and the Chuck Boone Leadership Award, which is presented in football. One student-athlete was chosen from each of the 19 other sports sponsored by the CAA for embodying the highest standards of leadership, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship in his or her academic and athletic achievements.
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Halle Duenkel, Lacrosse. A valuable member of the JMU women's lacrosse team, Duenkel has played in nearly every game since her freshman season. In addition to her on-field demands, Duenkel has been heavily involved with on-campus organizations. The junior played a large role in helping JMU lacrosse triple its community service hours and earn the IWLCA Team Community Service Award in 2017-18. She is a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and has helped generate over $90,000 to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Duenkel majors in computer information systems and has a 3.655 GPA.
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Erica Jackson, Cross Country. Jackson has been named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) All-Academic Team for four consecutive years and has participated in multiple research projects. A health sciences major with a 3.729 GPA, Jackson has volunteered with individuals with disabilities, as well as assisted in rehabilitation clinics. Jackson placed fifth at the 2018 CAA Championships, earning her All-CAA accolades.
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Nicolette Serratore, Track & Field. Serratore took gold in the heptathlon at the 2019 CAA Championships and ranks first all-time in JMU history in the javelin and heptathlon. The senior kinesiology major has a cumulative 3.728 GPA and has been active in her community. She volunteered to collect goods for Hurricane Harvey survivors and is a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa, a service fraternity that helps with Relay for Life, the Big Event, and Patchwork Pantry.
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Thomas Shores, Men's Soccer. Shores was the JMU team captain in his junior and senior year and was an All-CAA honoree in 2018. Shores, a quantitative finance, mathematics, and economics major, has volunteered for numerous organizations during his time at JMU, including serving as a VITA tax volunteer. In 2018, Shores helped lead the Dukes to their first NCAA quarterfinal appearance since 1995 and to JMU's first 15-win season since 2004.
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Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Lacrosse
Distance [CC]
/ Track & Field
Multi-Events/Javelin
/ Track & Field
M
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