Morgan Ackermann
Why did you choose Embry-Riddle?
I chose Embry-Riddle partially because of the basketball coach and partially because of the academics. Coach Wilson is an amazing role model and coach, and I knew she would encourage me to be the best I could be. As for the academics, I knew that having Embry Riddle on my diploma and resume was going to open doors in my career and future that other schools would not be able to.
What’s your fondest memory about your time as an ERAU student-athlete?
My fondest memory was going to Costa Rica as a team and playing the Costa Rican national team! Getting to know my teammates while also seeing such a beautiful country was amazing.
What do you remember most vividly about your time at ERAU?
I remember the chemistry labs! It was amazing to be able to learn about these reactions and that same week have a hands on application.
Who had the biggest impact on your life while at ERAU?
Coach Wilson, the women’s head basketball coach. She always pushed us to be the best we could and cared about us on a personal level. Always checking in and helping where we needed her.
What do you miss most about being a student-athlete?
I miss the camaraderie of having a team with you day in and day out. Whether we had some of the same classes or lived together, we all understood what we were going through. We were able to celebrate wins as a team and grieve losses. Having that support network is powerful.
What was your major?
Aerospace Physiology
What did you do right after graduating from ERAU?
After I graduated, I went back home to spend some time with my family before starting the adult part of life.
Tell us a little bit about what you’re doing now?
Currently I am a Healthcare Recruiter. I get to cultivate relationships with healthcare professionals interested in travel career opportunities. I am responsible for establishing relationships and understanding the needs and struggle of healthcare workers post pandemic.
How did your experience at ERAU shape your career path?
Not only did my degree help to further cultivate my interest in the healthcare field but it taught me teamwork, responsibility, and self-motivation.
What are some lessons you learned at ERAU that have served well in your life after college?
As cheesy as this sounds, especially coming from an aeronautical school, I learned the sky is not always the limit. When you put your all into something you can shoot for the stars and land among them!
What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of since you graduated?
One of my proudest moments was being able to volunteer my time as a coach to my local middle school. Being able to be a good role model for the youth of tomorrow while also being able to share the love of basketball with them has filled my heart with joy.
What advice do you have for ERAU’s current student-athletes?
My advice would be that it all works out in the end. College can be such a turbulent time in anyone’s life. Plus, by the time you graduate you have been in school for 17 years and graduating can be a “what is happening” moment. It is all you have known almost your whole life. However, if you stay true to the course and yourself you will find your way.
Do you stay connected with other alumni, and if so, how?
Yes! We stay in touch through texts and calls. And try to get together when we are in the same place!
What do you like to do away from work? Hobbies? Fun experiences/excursions?
Outside of work and coaching I love to spend time with my dogs and my family. I have also transferred a lot of my athletic ability into weightlifting.
For the 28th time in program history, the Embry-Riddle track and field programs hold a conference championship. The latest two came on Feb. 19 at the inaugural Peach Belt Conference Indoor Championships. The Embry-Riddle men's track & field team scored 228 to take first place, 134 points ahead of second place. This performance included nine gold medalists.
Chance Tressler was named the Freshman Indoor Field Athlete of the Year and the Outstanding Field Athlete of the Year, Jeremy Mog was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team and Michael Kotey won the Elite 18 Award (student-athlete at the meet with the highest grade point average)
The Embry-Riddle women's track and field team 258 points to take first place, 159 points ahead of second place, with seven participants earning gold medals.
Abby Valley was named the Outstanding Track Athlete of the Year, while Brooklynn Gould won the Outstanding Field Athlete of the Year award. Megan Grant and Hailey Bruce shared the Freshman Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, while Taylor Roth was Freshman Indoor co-Track Athlete of the Year presented by College Ave. Ciara Thomas was named to the All-Sportsmanship Teamm and Kelly Steffens won the Elite 18 Award.
Head coach Mike Rosolino was named the Coach of the Year for both Men's and Women's team versions of the award.
Rosolino remarked on ERAU's success at the event, saying that there being an indoor championship gave their program a completely new focus during the first few weeks of the season that paid off with a historic achievement.
"It was great to have an indoor conference championship this year." Rosolino said. "Our whole team had the chance to work towards a goal during the indoor season for the first time. In the past, we just focused on getting some individuals to nationals. We saw a big difference during indoors this season in terms of performance and focus. We had so many personal bests and school records, it was hard to keep track of all of them. You don’t get many chances to be the first at some thing and this year we got to say we were the first champions of a Peach Belt Indoor meet. I am very proud of all of the hard work and dedication of our coaches and athletes that led to this success. Everyone contributed to this championship. We look forward to continuing that success as we start outdoor season this weekend."
Three members of the Embry-Riddle women's golf team stayed busy during the winter break. Sophomore Loa Johannsson competed in a pre-qualifying competition for the Ladies European Tour (LET) Access Series. She also participated in the South Atlantic Women's Amateur Championship (SALLY) alongside teammates Mackenzie McCormack and Grayson Kindig.
Loa Johannsson was one of 75 golfers to earn an entry into the pre-qualifier in Marrakech, Morocco for the LET's Lalla Aicha Q School. The goal - to qualify for the final qualifier and earn LET membership.
From Dec. 10-12, Johannsson completed three rounds at the Golf Club Rotana, finishing with a 228 stroke total highlighted by a 72 in the second round.
After returning to the United States, Johannsson returned to the course for the 98th annual South Atlantic Women's Amateur Championship held at the Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, Florida from Jan. 3-6.
Johannson participated in the Championship Division and started the competition with a bang by notching a 73 in round one. An eagle on the par-5, 482-yard seventh hole. Then in round two, Johannsson tallied three birdies for a 77.
In the Rockefeller Division, Mackenzie McCormack claimed the title by a whopping 26 strokes (219) with a pair of 71-stroke rounds. She registered five birdies in the first round to pair with four birdies and an eagle in round three.
"My experience at the SALLY was great! I had a good time playing with the ladies out there. I maintained my composure even though there was some tough conditions. It was a great privilege to play a tournament at our home course and to win there!"
McCormack is pictured with her caddy Apryl Parker, who is a former member of the Eckerd women's golf team.
Grayson Kindig also competed in the competition, tying for sixth with 257 shots. She registered six birdies during the event, three of which came on par-3 holes.
"I am extremely grateful for Coach Lopez and the Embry-Riddle women's golf team for providing me the opportunity to play in such a prestigious tournament and for the chance to play in such a competitive field."
MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Camden Traficante - Baseball
Baseball’s Camden Traficante has emerged as one of the top hitters in the Sunshine State Conferece to start the 2024 season, earning Athlete of the Month honors. The senior is in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak dating back to last year. Over 12 games in 2024, Traficante is slashing .455/.583/.750 with 10 runs, 10 RBIs, and five stolen bases. Eight of his 20 hits have gone for extra bases, including four doubles, three triples, and one home run.
The Ormond Beach, Florida product ranks inside the top 10 in multiple categories such as slugging percentage (1st), on-base percentage (1st), OPS (1st), triples (1st), walks (1st), batting average (2nd), hits (2nd), runs (9th), and RBIs (9th).
Traficante’s best performance came in his most recent outing against Minnesota State on Thursday. The infielder went 4-for-5 from the dish with four RBIs. Additionally, his five runs in the contest were the most by an Eagle in a single game since 1999 and tied for the third-most all time.
He currently leads the team with four multi-RBI games and is tied for the most multi-hit contests with eight.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Eliana Enners - Women's Lacrosse
Eliana Enners marks the first month of her collegiate career with being named the Embry-Riddle Female Athlete of the Month. In five games Enners has 20 goals, seven assists, 27 points and three five-goal games. This was highlighted by five goals against No. 11 Wingate on the road, earning her the first Embry-Riddle Female Athlete of the week honor.