Karpency, Naymick Named Scholar-Athletes
May 31, 2012
LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. - The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame
will honor two Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
student-athletes at its upcoming induction ceremony and awards
banquet. Junior wrestler Dan Karpency and sophomore cross country
runner Jennifer Naymick were selected as the 2011-12 Penn State
Fayette Scholar-Athletes for their outstanding academic and
athletic accomplishments.
Both Karpency and Naymick have been trailblazers of sorts for Roaring Lions’ athletic programs, as they both compete for relatively new sports at Fayette. Karpency transferred to Fayette to be a part of this year’s inaugural wrestling season, while Naymick joined a second-year cross country program when she enrolled in the fall of 2010.
A 2010 graduate of Uniontown High School, Naymick has excelled both in the classroom and on the course for Fayette, competing in the 2010 United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Cross Country Championships, where she finished 16th as a freshman. She is also a two-time Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference All-Academic award winner, and was named a USCAA Academic All-American in 2011-12.
Naymick's success in the classroom and on the course was important to the team, especially considering the addition of so many new runners. But Naymick was a consistent presence for the Roaring Lions, finishing in the top 10 in all six of Fayette’s meets, including a season-best third place finish at the Westmoreland County Community College Invitational.
“It was challenging being part of (a new) team,” says Naymick. “There weren’t many people who knew we had a team (last year), but my second year on the team showed me how much a sports program can grow in a short amount of time.”
As important as running is to Naymick, her academics have never taken a backseat to athletics. She chose to attend Penn State Fayette to start her higher education career, in part due to a youth program she participated in several years ago.
“I decided to attend Penn State because I knew the University was known for its engineering program,” she says. “Penn State Fayette stuck out to me because I got involved with the campus in about sixth grade as part of a space camp program (run by) Dave Meredith.”
Naymick has also been an active member of the campus community, including serving her peers as the Student-Athlete Advisory Council Vice President, all while carrying a 3.98 GPA. Naymick also served as a member of the 2011 Orientation Team, THON Team, the Outing and Adventure Club and took part in the annual Fayette Leadership Retreat organized by the Student Government Association.
Karpency, a 2009 Albert Gallatin graduate, didn’t take long to establish a legacy at Fayette, capturing the 157 lb. title at the 2012 Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference Championships. The title marked Fayette’s first ever conference wrestling champion, as Karpency finished the season 12-1.
“When I heard Penn State Fayette was going to have a wrestling team, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this team,” says Karpency. “I enjoyed getting back into wrestling after being off for two years and Penn State Fayette has afforded me the opportunity to compete again.”
Despite the desire to compete, Karpency has two other priorities, namely academics and family. Karpency hopes to complete his nursing degree and eventually become a certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP). Currently he carries a 3.6 GPA at Fayette, earning him PSUAC All-Academic honors for 2011-12 in his first year in the conference.
But still, family is king to Karpency. He even missed an opportunity to compete in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s regional tournament, a step towards the association’s national championship, in order to watch his brother compete for a world boxing title in Wales.
“In my house family means everything,” says Karpency. “All four kids were always involved in athletics and school activities. If one of us had an event, everyone attended and supported one another.”
“I missed the regional tournament to go watch my oldest brother fight for a world title,” he adds. “Hopefully next year he will be watching me wrestle in the national tournament.”
Penn State Fayette’s athletic director, Vince Capozzi, nominated the pair based on excellence on the field, demonstration of leadership and previously being named to an all-academic team. A rising junior, Naymick has completed her academic course work at Fayette and will transfer to University Park in the fall to complete her degree in computer engineering. Karpency, a transfer student and rising senior, will continue his work towards a nursing degree at Fayette.
The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame banquet and awards ceremony will be held Saturday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. in Penn State Fayette’s Community Center Main Arena. Tickets for the Hall of Fame banquet can be purchased by calling Jes Hutson at 724-430-4100, ext. 4886.