YORK, Pa. – Salisbury University senior lacrosse attacker Nathan Blondino (Leonardtown, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) was tabbed by the Capital Athletic Conference athletic directors as the 2016-17 Male Athlete of the Year. Blondino is the second-straight Salisbury student-athlete to claim the award, with track & field standout Luke Campbell securing the honor last year. 

The Male Athlete of the Year Award is presented to the CAC student-athlete who garnered superior athletic recognition and achievement, either individually or in conjunction with his team.

Blondino pieced together a superb senior season in 2017, leading the Sea Gulls to their second straight and 12th overall national championship with a 15-7 victory over RIT over Memorial Day weekend.

Blondino received numerous national, regional, and conference accolades for his efforts. He was honored as the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) National Player of the Year, earned First-Team USILA All-America honors, was named the ECAC South Player of the Year and CAC Player of the Year, and received First-Team ECAC South and First-Team All-CAC accolades. 

He started all 23 games for the Sea Gulls, totaling 61 goals and 73 assists for 134 points. He posted a .442 shot percentage with 89 shots on goal, five man-up goals, 37 ground balls and caused seven turnovers. His 134 points led the nation, tied SU's program single-season record, and is tied for the fifth-highest single-season mark in NCAA Division III history. His 73 assists were the second-highest total in the nation this season and tied for the eighth-highest single-season mark in Division III history.