POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist Department of Athletics honored its senior class Monday night in a banquet at Christo's Restaurant. William Griffin of the cross country and track and field teams, and Corielle Yarde of the women's basketball team were honored as Sportspersons of the Year.

Griffin is a four-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and three-time All-East selection in cross country. Last year, he became the first runner program history to break 30 minutes in the 10,000 meters and qualify for the NCAA Regional Meet. Yarde was the 2012 MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. She ranks in the top 10 in program history in 10 career categories, including fourth in scoring.

The recipients of the James Pizzani Award were athletics intern Rebecca Harrison, student government's Andrew Paulsen and student booster club's Patrick Dillon. The Pizzani Award is given to the male and female seniors who best embody the qualities of the late James Pizzani, which are consistent with the college's core ideals of excellence in education, pursuit of higher human values and dedication to the principle of service. James Pizzani was a 1964 Marist graduate who died in 1988 after a nine-month battle with cancer.

The recipients of the President's Academic Achievement Award were Joe Papiro of men's swimming and Erin O'Reilly of cross country and track. The President's Academic Achievement Award is presented to the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade-point average. Men's tennis and women's cross country were the recipients of the Athletic Director's award, presented to the male and female teams with highest cumulative grade-point average.

The Individual Strength & Conditioning awards were presented to Ashley Corriss of softball and Kevin Defranco of men's lacrosse. The Team Strength & Conditioning awards were presented to softball and baseball.

Each senior student-athlete was recognized at the banquet.