WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior
Sam Dienstag of the men’s swimming and diving team and sophomore
Shaniece Nugent of the women’s indoor track and field team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending January 21, 2024. The award is presented weekly by the Chateau Restaurant Group.
Dienstag, a native of
Wilmette, Illinois, was a double-winner for the Judges at their Senior Day meet against Bridgewater State and Keene State on January 20 after missing much of the season due to illness. The two-time All-American won the 1,650 freestyle with a time of 15:57.96 and the 500 in 4:47.65. His time in the mile ranks 17th in Division III. Dienstag finished in fourth place the 2023 NCAA Division III Championships in that event. With his two wins, the Judges defeated Keene State, 158-117, but fell to Bridgewater State, 139.5-117.5.
The Judges close out the regular season at Clark University on Saturday, January 27, before the University Athletic Association championships in February and the NCAA Division III Championships in March.
Nugent, of
Hartford, Connecticut, was a double winner for the Brandeis women’s indoor track and field team as they finished in fourth place at the Branwen Smith-King Invitational at Tufts University. She was one of four Judges to score points in the triple jump, winning with a personal-best distance of 11.29 meters (37 feet, ½ inches), her first competitive jump over 11 meters. The performance is ranked 23
rd in NCAA Division III this season. Nugent also ran the third leg in the 4x200-meter relay that won their race by just one-tenth of a second over Tufts with a time of 1:48.32.
The Judges return to action on Saturday afternoon at the Riverhawk Invitational, hosted by UMass Lowell at the TRACK at New Balance.
This is the eighth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights a top Brandeis student-athlete who has had an outstanding athletic achievement from the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake N Joes
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, The Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Dienstag is a 2020 graduate of New Trier High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s swimming and diving team, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving.
Nugent is a 2022 graduate of Lawrence Academy. For more information on Brandeis women’s track and field, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/wtrack.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at
www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
