10. Jessica Powers
The sophomore guard from Massapequa, N.Y., snuck her way onto the Tufts Top Ten after leading the women's basketball team to one of its best seasons in history. The squad went 18-6 overall (7-2, NESCAC), with Powers starting all 24 games and leading the team in points (12.8 ppg), assists (86), and minutes played (31.1 minutes per game). She carried the Jumbos to big wins over then-top 25 in the nation Emmanuel College and NESCAC foe Wesleyan. Powers, the Daily's choice for Athlete of the Week many times this winter, was awarded All-NESCAC Second Team honors for her play all season after winning NESCAC Rookie of the Year honors the previous season.
9. AJ Crane
Senior AJ Crane is probably Tufts' most accomplished two-sport athlete that you've never heard of. This native of Warwick, Bermuda, has led both the women's and co-ed sailing teams, one of just two Div. I varsity sports at Tufts, to top ten rankings in the nation and top three finishes in New England. After leading the women's team to an ICSA National Championship last season, Crane looks to build on her already impressive r?©sum?©, including All-American status, this spring at Nationals for both the co-ed and women's squads. And just in case that isn't enough reason for her to make the list, Crane took a break from sailing in the winter to be a tri-captain and 4, 5, and 7 singles player for the women's squash team - the other Tufts Div. I sport - compiling a 27-26 career record and leading the team to a 6-9 overall record.
8. Deyvehn East
This senior co-captain was one of the few bright spots on the men's basketball team this year. Quite possibly the most gifted natural athlete at Tufts, East befuddled opposing defenses with his quick first step and smooth jumper. He led the Jumbos in every major statistical category this season, putting up per game averages of 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.8 steals in a team leading 29 minutes a game. It was the intangibles, however, that made East even more valuable to the squad. His relentless hustle on both offense and defense, along with his long arms and ridiculous hops, made East a constant nightmare for opposing team's defenders.
7. Nate Brigham
The junior runner flashed his talent in all three sports seasons for coach Connie Putnam's Jumbos. In the fall cross country season, Brigham finished first on the team in four meets and notched six top-ten overall race finishes, including second in Div. III New Englands, helping the team make Nationals. Indoors, he captured the 5,000 meter at Div. III New Englands, and followed that up by setting a new school record in the 5,000 with a converted time of 14 minutes, 35.84 seconds. Brigham also captured the 3,000 meter twice during indoor season. He qualified for Nationals in the 5,000, where he just missed earning All-American status, finishing ninth in the nation. Brigham followed this up with a solid outdoor season where he finished second in the 5,000 at NESCACs.
6. Katie Smith
Junior Katie Smith quietly tore up NESCAC softball pitching this season, having her best year both at the plate and in the field at first base. She led the NESCAC in hitting with a .414 average, was second in hits (41), tied for second in runs batted in (23), second in home runs (4), second in total bases (61) and tied for fourth in doubles (8). She also held her own in the field with just three errors in 270 chances for a .989 fielding percentage this year, good for best on the Jumbos. For her accomplishments she was named NESCAC Player of the Year.
5. Mark Tilki
Senior cornerback and return specialist Mark Tilki had a lights-out season in leading the football team to one of its most successful campaigns in recent history. He was one of the premier playmakers on defense in New England, picking off five passes on the year and returning them for a NESCAC-leading 131 yards, including two for touchdowns. In addition, he averaged 26.2 yards per kick return and 10.6 yards per punt return. He was chosen to the All-NESCAC First Team at cornerback and as a return specialist, after being named NESCAC Player of the Week and Tufts Daily Athlete of the Week twice during the season. He was also selected to the prestigious New England Football Writers' Div. II-III team, to the Football Gazette All-East Region First team and to the D3football.com All-America Third Team. He finished his career with 12 interceptions.
4. Fred Jones
Freshman phenom Fred Jones was the top performer on the men's track and field team this year, destroying any and all competition in both the triple jump and long jump. Jones broke Tufts' all-time mark in the triple jump in his first competition at Tufts, leaping 48 feet, 1 1/2 inches. Jones continued to turn heads all season long, winning the triple jump at both indoor and outdoor Div. III New Englands, and even more spectacularly, at All-New Englands in the winter season. He placed second at All-New Englands in the outdoor season. Jones competed at Indoor Nationals in early March, placing sixth in the country, and looks to improve upon that at Outdoor Nationals next week.
3. Mika Sumiyoshi
Sumiyoshi was the most consistently dominant athlete in the history of the women's swimming and diving program, perhaps only second to classmate Jessica Trombly (see right) as the most successful female athlete in Tufts history. The senior led the Jumbos to a fourth place finish at NESCACs (Tufts' highest finish in recent history) with victories in the 200 meter and 400 individual medley, and a fourth place finish in the 200 breaststroke. In total, she accumulated 90 individual points for her team (not including relay), almost 10 percent of the team's total score. She has competed in nationals for four straight years, and had her most successful trip this season when she earned All-American status in the 200 and 400 IM. She holds three school records, and has won 67 of 70 dual meet races in her career, losing the other three by a combined total of less than half a second.
2. Jess Trombly
For the second straight year, the track and soccer star has proved herself as the most accomplished, dominant women's athlete at Tufts and perhaps in all of Div. III. Jess Trombly is an All-NESCAC First Team athlete in three sports, and would have earned a spot on this list in any one of those three. In the fall, Trombly lit up opponents on the soccer field, tying for second on the team with six goals and 20 points. In both the winter and spring, she proved herself as one of the most versatile and dominant track stars in the nation. Trombly has been successful in almost every event she's attempted, including a fourth place finish in the heptathlon at the Penn Relays earlier this year, three first place finishes at Div. III New England's in the winter, and a second place finish at Indoor Nationals in March in the 4x400 meter relay.
1. Bryan Griffin
The junior from Long Island, N.Y., was the most dominant player on one of Tufts' most dominant teams this year, men's lacrosse. After winning the NESCAC and New England Player of the Year honors last season as a sophomore, opposing teams focused much more of their defense around Griffin. He adjusted his game accordingly, however, and led the league in assists with 35 on the year. He also led the league in goals scored (41), and total points (76). Griffin broke his own single season scoring record when he notched his 65th point of the year in the last regular season game against Connecticut College. He led the Jumbos to a 13-3 record on the year, including an 8-1 mark in the NESCAC, and once again was named NESCAC Player of the Year.
