LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- Bloomsburg University Women’s Swimmer Grace Beierschmitt and former Kutztown University wrestler Andrew Dunn Jr. received the 2021-22 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s Sportsmanship Award.
The PSAC Sportsmanship Award was initiated in the 2008-09 academic year and is given annually to one male and one female student-athlete that best exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship and who has demonstrated the values of respect and integrity through a specific action ideally directed toward an opponent. Nominees must also have represented his/her institution in a positive way during competition and must have demonstrated good citizenship outside of competition by fostering a good public image. The PSAC Sportsmanship Award was implemented by the PSAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Nominees are submitted by PSAC institutions and voted on by the SAAC.
After being tied for eighth with Clarion swimmer Stephanie Setar in the 100-butterfly during 2022 PSAC preliminaries, Grace showed true sportsmanship by letting Setar take the eighth spot. The top eight swimmers advance to the finals after prelims, and typically after a tie in the prelims, there is a swim-off. Grace let the Clarion senior have the final spot in the finals because of seniority and it would be Setar's last PSAC Championship Meet.
Andrew Dunn Jr. showed sportsmanship in offering to say a prayer with his national championship opponent from Minnesota State Mankato, Darrell Mason. Mason recently learned of the passing of his grandmother prior to his semifinal match. His grandmother had been a big influence in his life, and prior to the semifinal, Mason had planned on withdrawing from the competition. Andrew was the top seed heading into the championship final with Mason, and even in defeat, he displayed admirable respect for his opponent. The two embraced for 25 seconds and prayed with one another following the match.
The PSAC Sportsmanship Award had not been earned since 2018-19 due to COVID-19.
Beierschmitt is the first Bloomsburg women’s sports athlete to earn the honor, while Andrew Dunn Jr. is the second men’s sports athlete from Kutztown to earn the award (Tyler Matunis, 2013-14).
ABOUT THE PSAC
Headquartered in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference comprised of 18 institutions in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The member institutions are Bloomsburg University, California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, East Stroudsburg University, Edinboro University, Gannon University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Mercyhurst University, Millersville University, The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University, Shepherd University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University and West Chester University.