Mount Saint Mary Athletics Hall of Fame
NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Former women’s tennis standout Gina Danon (Trapini) will be inducted as an inaugural member of the Mount Saint Mary College Hall of Fame on April 13, 2013.
A native of Walden, N.Y. and a graduate of Valley Central High School, Trapini represents the class of the women’s tennis program. She graduated with career records for singles wins (50) and doubles wins (50), while becoming the first player in school history to reach 100 career combined wins. The Knights went 45-12 in Trapini’s four years on campus and she graduated with an individual career record of 100-21.
Trapini was named to the Skyline Conference first team in each of her first three seasons and was honored as the Skyline Player of the Year as a senior in 2007. She was also named the conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2004.
As a senior, Trapini became the first player in school history to have an undefeated dual match season, posting records of 17-0 in both singles and doubles. Her team also went undefeated in 2007 and claimed the Skyline Conference championship.
Trapini graduated magna cum laude in 2008 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and concentrations in childhood and special education. She went on to earn a master’s degree in literacy from Long Island University. She is currently a special education teacher in a third grade classroom at East Coldenham Elementary School in the Valley Central School District. She resides in Wallkill, N.Y. with her husband, Alex.
Favorite moment at the Mount: “Being on the team that went 17-0 and won the Skyline Conference on a very cold October night. Being able to share my individual 17-0 success with a team who was perfect was wonderful.”
How did your time at the Mount prepare you for your career: “The Mount provided me with invaluable knowledge I use in my career. I learned to set your goals high because anything is possible. I met professors and Coach Brady who pushed me to work hard and be the best I could be – something I hope I can do for my students. I learned that hard work and dedication pay off. I learned skills and knowledge in my education classes that I use in my classroom every day.”