Many say that each student who enters collegiate life gains the "freshman 15." UB gained much more than that this year with the addition of over 110 freshman athletes to its 18 rosters.
Now two seasons have closed the stat books, so here are the top seven winter freshmen. They are now grouped with the eight chosen in the fall. Later in the year, the spring's best will be chosen. Once the field of the finest has been compiled, the top 15 freshmen will be ranked.
Winter wonders:
Jamie Schiebner, women's basketball
Schiebner paired up with a freshman standout from last year, Heather Turner, in the Buffalo frontcourt and created a dominating pair. Schiebner ended the season averaging 7.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. Her numbers could have been higher but the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team selection missed six games due to a head injury.
Andy Robinson, men's basketball
Out of the five freshmen that suited up for the men's basketball team this season, Robinson put up the best numbers and showed the potential to earn a consistent and even starting role next season. Robinson played 29 games, started three and averaged 15.2 minutes. Robinson's forte proved to be defense as he stole the ball 35 times in the season, good for third best on the team. The 6-foot-1-inch guard also came in third place in blocked shots, registering nine.
Cassidy Lynch, men's swimming and diving
Lynch took home three awards from the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships in February. Two came in the form of first-place finishes, in the one- and three-meter diving events. The other was the ECAC Diver of the Year award. Lynch then finished 11th in the three-meter and sixth in the one-meter events at the NCAA Zone A Diving Qualifier.
Rachel Sorg, women's swimming and diving
Sorg proved to be a backstroke force for her team and earned multiple first-place victories in backstroke events. At the MAC finals, Sorg finished eighth in the 200-yard backstroke and fifth in the 100-yard backstroke. She also took part in various relay teams.
Caitlin Godin, indoor track and field
A long jumper from Rochester, N.Y., Godin opened the indoor season strong with back-to-back second-place finishes. Godin jumped her way to a fourth-place finish at the MAC Championships with a height of 5 feet, 8 inches.
Sean Smiley, men's basketball
Smiley spent the end of his freshman season on the bench due to two knee injuries, including damage to his ACL. Smiley played 15 games in his freshman year and showed no fear of taking an open shot. His assists to turnover ratio also remained positive in his first year. He had 10 assists and eight turnovers.
Rachelle Matthys, women's basketball
An injury also hindered Matthys' first year in a Bulls uniform. The freshman guard missed a portion of the season due to a foot injury that had her on crutches. Matthys started the season strong, however, earning a starting spot in two of the first three games of the season due to her work ethic.
The standouts from the winter season now join the fall's finest freshmen:
Janessa Banwell, women's soccer
Dan Gwyther, men's soccer
Brett Hamlin, football
Dan Healy, men's cross country and track and field
Brooke McCalla, women's soccer
Marc Stencel, men's soccer
Drew Willy, football
Mary Veith, women's cross country and track and field
With the spring season just under way, these freshmen could make differences on their respective teams:
Jacob Rosenbeck, baseball
Brad Agustine, baseball
Dana Carter, softball
Octavian Stane, men's tennis
Bridget Yannes, rowing
