After recently returning home from Houston, TX after capturing numerous All-American certificates, the head coaching staff of Sean Tedesco, Melissa Chamberlin and Kevin Ryan all learned that one of their swimmers has been honored with the prestigious "Mariners Award," given to a plebe who has excelled academically and athletically.

Freshman Matthew Poloniak, a native of Sparta High School in Sparta, New Jersey, heard the news from his mother just a short time ago. "Sean told me he was going to enter my name" says Poloniak. "Later, my mom called me saying I received an award, and then I got the letter here."

A solid Breaststroker, Poloniak has proved himself inside the confines of the pool by swimming strong and smart and has also maintained better than a 3.0 grade point average.

On Wednesday morning, Poloniak was presented the award inside Vice Admiral Stewart's office by Red Wagner, a 1945 alumnus of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and member of the Northern New Jersey Alumni Chapter in which the award is sponsored. Also present was Head Coach Sean Tedesco who was excited to see the level of success his swimming team has accomplished in the pool and in the books.

With the presentation of the Mariners Award, which serves as a yearly award given to a freshman who has taken the necessary steps at the Academy to attain scholastic recognition and athletic achievement, Poloniak becomes the 41st recipient of the 3 1/2 foot trophy that was started in 1965 by the Alumni Chapter and was first presented to Tim Monahan of DePaul High School. Year to year, each winner's name is engraved onto the trophy so it can be displayed for years to come. With only nine spaces left on the historic piece, Poloniak's name will forever be stamped with many other proud alumni of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.