Army West Point Athletics
Bardak, Halfhill & Haynia Named October Scholar-Athletes of the Month by Center for Enhanced Performance
November 04, 2024 | General, Men's Cross Country, Men's Rugby, Women's Cross Country
WEST POINT, NY -Â The Army West Point Athletics Association's Academic Support team has selected its scholar-athletes for the month of October, recognizing men's rugby junior Andrew Bardak, women's cross country senior Joanna Halfhill and men's cross country sophomore Maximus Haynia.
Men's Rugby
Andrew Bardak '26
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Cadet Andrew "Diesel" Bardak is a Hooker on the Army Men's Rugby Team from Ronkonkoma, New York, and the quintessential example of a Scholar-Athlete-Warrior.
Cadet Bardak exemplifies academic excellence through consistent dedication and hard work by balancing a challenging course load in the Systems Engineering major with a 3.661 GPA. Andrew demonstrates multidisciplinary excellence, as recognized by his Professors on multiple occasions. His Economics Professor stated, "CDT Bardak has continually displayed a high level of preparation and participation… he sets the standard for both of these in his section." His Advanced Army Leadership Professor characterized his performance as "…the type of student instructors love to have in class: engaged, respectful, and focused on classmates and the class. Although Andrew is learning leadership theories for the first time in PL350, it is clear from his perspectives shared and experiences recounted in class that he practices leadership principles with a depth of understanding that belies his rank and position."
In fact, during his leadership detail in Cadet Field Training, his military and leadership performance inspired Cadet and Officer leadership to "battlefield promote" Andrew in the midst of his assignment, earning him a position of greater responsibility. Andrew is equally recognized by his peers in the academic classroom, receiving a positive observation report for leading a chemistry study session in the company collaboration room before a major test. Andrew currently excels in his current position as a Squad Leader in H2. He is a recognized peer leader within his company, earning six positive observation reports with one of his peers stating "his actions must be the standard for our company and the Corps." MAJ Travis Hines, the H-2 TAC officer, commented "Andrew is the perfect nomination for athlete-scholar-warrior of the month… he embodies a warrior mentality. I can't think of a better person to represent this honor."
Andrew is a warrior-leader of the highest caliber. In addition to his academic leadership performance, he has excelled in military training, not only winning the 2023 CFT award for highest overall male physical fitness score, but successfully completing Sabalauski Air Assault School hosted at West Point and the Combat Diver Qualification Course at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School.
On the pitch, Andrew earned a starting position during his freshman year and was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He is also a peer-elected leader, currently serving as vice-captain for the team. Head Coach Matt Sherman says, "Andrew embodies the warrior spirit on the rugby pitch. He's both fully committed to giving everything he has physically, mentally, and emotionally every time he competes, as well as fully committed to improving his craft every day he trains to get better. Furthermore, Andrew is a driver of our team culture through his example, his voice, and his passion, enthusiasm and love for his teammates and the team."
Cadet Bardak earned a place on the Dean's List every term in his Cadet career and was recognized as a Distinguished Cadet his freshman year. He earned the Superintendent's Award for Excellence as a freshman and the Superintendent's Award for Achievement as a sophomore. Andrew exemplifies well-rounded excellence and leadership by maintaining high academic performance, excelling in fitness and athletics, and demonstrating discipline and achievement in military training. He is recognized by leaders, peers, and subordinates as a trusted leader who inspires and motivates through teamwork, integrity, and dedication. Andrew Bardak defines Scholar-Athlete-Warrior.
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Women's Cross Country
Joanna Halfhill '25
Coach Smith's comments:
"Joanna exemplifies what it means to be a scholar athlete. Not only is she our guiding star as our team Captain, but she is also a leader amongst her peers academically and athletically. I think most people would be in awe and amazed in how she balances and excels in all pillars. One of Joanna's greatest qualities is her ability to not overthink things, she simply focuses on execution. Joanna cares about the details and understands how doing the little things right leads to long-term success. Joanna leads by example, and is an inspiration to her teammates, coaches, and peers. We could not be more proud of her."Â Â
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Men's Cross Country
Maximus Haynia '27
"Max has stepped up in leadership with a young men's Cross-Country team. He is very knowledgeable about running and constantly mentors younger Cadets on the team. His knowledge from the classroom is directly correlated to the Track and Cross-Country teams. Max thinks and develops race plans and recovery strategies that he shares across the team. He is a beacon of optimism on the team during hard workouts and races and brings all those around him up, even in the most challenging of circumstances."
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Men's Rugby
Andrew Bardak '26
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Cadet Andrew "Diesel" Bardak is a Hooker on the Army Men's Rugby Team from Ronkonkoma, New York, and the quintessential example of a Scholar-Athlete-Warrior.
Cadet Bardak exemplifies academic excellence through consistent dedication and hard work by balancing a challenging course load in the Systems Engineering major with a 3.661 GPA. Andrew demonstrates multidisciplinary excellence, as recognized by his Professors on multiple occasions. His Economics Professor stated, "CDT Bardak has continually displayed a high level of preparation and participation… he sets the standard for both of these in his section." His Advanced Army Leadership Professor characterized his performance as "…the type of student instructors love to have in class: engaged, respectful, and focused on classmates and the class. Although Andrew is learning leadership theories for the first time in PL350, it is clear from his perspectives shared and experiences recounted in class that he practices leadership principles with a depth of understanding that belies his rank and position."
In fact, during his leadership detail in Cadet Field Training, his military and leadership performance inspired Cadet and Officer leadership to "battlefield promote" Andrew in the midst of his assignment, earning him a position of greater responsibility. Andrew is equally recognized by his peers in the academic classroom, receiving a positive observation report for leading a chemistry study session in the company collaboration room before a major test. Andrew currently excels in his current position as a Squad Leader in H2. He is a recognized peer leader within his company, earning six positive observation reports with one of his peers stating "his actions must be the standard for our company and the Corps." MAJ Travis Hines, the H-2 TAC officer, commented "Andrew is the perfect nomination for athlete-scholar-warrior of the month… he embodies a warrior mentality. I can't think of a better person to represent this honor."
Andrew is a warrior-leader of the highest caliber. In addition to his academic leadership performance, he has excelled in military training, not only winning the 2023 CFT award for highest overall male physical fitness score, but successfully completing Sabalauski Air Assault School hosted at West Point and the Combat Diver Qualification Course at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School.
On the pitch, Andrew earned a starting position during his freshman year and was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He is also a peer-elected leader, currently serving as vice-captain for the team. Head Coach Matt Sherman says, "Andrew embodies the warrior spirit on the rugby pitch. He's both fully committed to giving everything he has physically, mentally, and emotionally every time he competes, as well as fully committed to improving his craft every day he trains to get better. Furthermore, Andrew is a driver of our team culture through his example, his voice, and his passion, enthusiasm and love for his teammates and the team."
Cadet Bardak earned a place on the Dean's List every term in his Cadet career and was recognized as a Distinguished Cadet his freshman year. He earned the Superintendent's Award for Excellence as a freshman and the Superintendent's Award for Achievement as a sophomore. Andrew exemplifies well-rounded excellence and leadership by maintaining high academic performance, excelling in fitness and athletics, and demonstrating discipline and achievement in military training. He is recognized by leaders, peers, and subordinates as a trusted leader who inspires and motivates through teamwork, integrity, and dedication. Andrew Bardak defines Scholar-Athlete-Warrior.
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Women's Cross Country
Joanna Halfhill '25
- Team captain
- Physics major with a cumulative GPA of 4.3
- AY 2025 nominee for seven scholarships and fellowships, including Fulbright, Churchill and Gates.
- School Record Holder in the 1000mÂ
- School Record Holder as a member of the Distance Medley RelayÂ
- #4 on the Army all-time list in the 1 Mile Indoors
- Finished the Paul Short Invitational with a time of 20:55:8 (6k), helping the women's team to a sixth place finish - its best in the meet history.
- 2022 Patriot League Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Coach Smith's comments:
"Joanna exemplifies what it means to be a scholar athlete. Not only is she our guiding star as our team Captain, but she is also a leader amongst her peers academically and athletically. I think most people would be in awe and amazed in how she balances and excels in all pillars. One of Joanna's greatest qualities is her ability to not overthink things, she simply focuses on execution. Joanna cares about the details and understands how doing the little things right leads to long-term success. Joanna leads by example, and is an inspiration to her teammates, coaches, and peers. We could not be more proud of her."Â Â
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Men's Cross Country
Maximus Haynia '27
- Systems Engineering Major
- Cumulative GPA of 3.7
- On the Dean's list throughout last year
- In the top 7 of the men's cross-country team as a yearling
- 8K PR of 25:13Â
"Max has stepped up in leadership with a young men's Cross-Country team. He is very knowledgeable about running and constantly mentors younger Cadets on the team. His knowledge from the classroom is directly correlated to the Track and Cross-Country teams. Max thinks and develops race plans and recovery strategies that he shares across the team. He is a beacon of optimism on the team during hard workouts and races and brings all those around him up, even in the most challenging of circumstances."
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Players Mentioned
Hooker
/ Men's Rugby
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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