Athletes of the Week

Markus Schultz, Tennis

Sophomore

6’0”

High school: Jensen Gymnasium Vastra

Hometown: Hagersten, Sweden

Schultz, who joined the NJIT men’s tennis team in January 2013, finished the 2012-13 season ranked 18th in the Northeast Region by ITA, becoming the first NJIT student-athlete to be ranked by the ITA since becoming an NCAA Division I program. Held a 15-match singles win streak (dated back from Jan. 26 to Mar. 21), the final six matches, Schultz played at first singles. In doubles competition, Schultz held a 14-match win streak (dated back from Jan. 27 to April 14) with three unfinished matches, at second doubles with teammate Holger Norregaard. He finished the season with a 20-1 overall record (12-1 at first singles, 5-0 at second singles, 3-0 at third) and 9-2 at second doubles. Schultz was named NJIT’s Male Newcomer of the Year. The 20 wins for Schultz in singles competition was the highest win-total since the Highlanders started competing against a Division I schedule (2006-07 first season) – Steve Erickson notched 18 wins in 2008-09 for NJIT.

Samantha Bersett, Soccer

Sophomore

5’9”

High school: Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis, MO)

Hometown: Wildwood, MO

Bersett was names National Division I Player of the Week, selected by College Sport Madness.

Coach Gonzalez says, “Sam is an extremely talented goalkeeper with good size and athleticism. She is a solid shot-stopper with good range off her line. She has a great presence in goal and the ability to start a quick counter attack with her solid distribution. We feel she will compete for the starting spot immediately.”

2012: The Highlanders talented freshman goalkeeper from Wildwood, MO earned second-team CollegeSportsMadness in the Great West Conference honors, appearing in every match in goal (20). She combined for 115 saves for a .777 save percentage. Bersett’s 15 saves against Utah Valley on October 5th, ties the NJIT Division I school-record for saves in a match set in 2006 by Highlander Bruna Lotufo. Lotufo combined for 15 saves against IPFW on August 31, 2006.

Courtesy of NJIT Athletics