Twelve Women’s GNAC Student-Athletes Named Athlete of the Year Finalists
WINTHROP, Mass. – Twelve Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women’s student-athletes were named finalists for the 2022-23 GNAC Athlete of the Year award for women’s sports. The nominees are also their respective school’s institutional nominees for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year.
The GNAC Athlete of the Year award is modeled after the NCAA Woman of the Year award. It recognizes graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
This year’s finalists, who are also their respective school’s institutional nominees for 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year are:
- Keegan Riccio, Albertus Magnus
- Ashley Garcia, Anna Maria
- Shannon O’Connell, Colby-Sawyer
- Zoe Coleman, Dean
- Taylor Borla, Elms
- Jordan Restivo, Johnson & Wales
- Sheridan Blaha, Lasell
- Cashman Murphy, Regis
- Avery Pollard, Rivier
- Madison Michaud, Saint Joseph’s (Maine)
- Riley Wasiuk, Simmons
- Tatiana Bilbraut, University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)
The GNAC Athlete of the Year for women’s sports will be announced next week and will be submitted as the conference nominee for both NCAA Woman of the Year and the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Woman’s Sport Student-Athlete of the Year.
ABOUT THE NOMINEES
KEEGAN RICCIO | ALBERTUS MAGNUS | SOCCER & LACROSSE
Major: Psychology
Riccio earned her psychology degree from Albertus Magnus with a 3.99 GPA, while competing as a two-sport athlete. Her academic accolades include being named Albertus Magnus’ 2023 Scholar Athlete of the Year (Female), a member of the 2022 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division III Academic All-America Third Team for soccer, and a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. She also was a Third Team GNAC All-Conference member in 2021 on the field. She finished her career ranked third all-time in assists in soccer at Albertus with 18. She also ranks third on the career points list in lacrosse with 83. Aside from her accomplishments in the classroom and on the field, she was also involved in the community. She participated in a number of service activities including Unified Sport soccer and basketball tournaments at Albertus, Albertus’ College Service Day clean-up, and volunteering with Beacon on the Hill and West Haven soccer camps.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“I spent the past four years at a small liberal arts school in New Haven, Conn. When I stepped on campus as a freshman, I was excited to represent Albertus Magnus College on the soccer and lacrosse fields. However, I did not realize that I would get the opportunity to represent my school in other ways.
As a commuter, part-time employee, and dual-sport athlete, I did not think that I had any space left in my schedule to devote to extracurricular activities like clubs and organizations. I started my mornings working at a before-school program at a local elementary school. After work, I immediately drove myself to campus and would attend classes until it was time to go to my practice or game. I kept this routine for the first few days of school until I was introduced to the Student Alumni Association (SAA). SAA is a group focused on embracing school traditions, providing students with pivotal career development and personal growth opportunities, and enhancing relations between current students and alums. As a general member, I attended bi-weekly meetings and went to club-sponsored events. As time progressed, I became the Vice President of Programming and eventually the President of SAA. As a person suffering from anxiety, I was extremely hesitant about accepting the presidential position because I knew I would have to run meetings and speak at events. However, my advisor strongly encouraged me to consider it because he saw such potential in me.
I spoke at countless campus events, which I would never have imagined myself doing four years ago. As a shy person, I was always the lead-by-example type of leader, I was never super vocal. Nevertheless, becoming a vocal leader for SAA translated into me becoming a more vocal leader on the field. It completely changed “my game” for the better. My teammates even nicknamed me “President.” I then stepped into a captain position, commanding the defense in soccer and midfield in lacrosse.
Getting involved in extracurricular activities outside of athletics allowed me to find my voice on the field and in life. I can now advocate for myself and those around me, which will be a crucial skill in my future career as a social worker.”
ASHLEY GARCIA | ANNA MARIA | SOFTBALL & FIELD HOCKEY
Major: Forensic Criminology & Psychology (undergrad), Business Administration (graduate)
Garcia overcame a lot to find herself as a student-athlete at Anna Maria. She double-majored in criminology and psychology as an undergrad, earning a 3.9 GPA and also worked on her MBA with a 4.0. Her grades helped earn her a spot on the honor roll in all four years. Primarily a softball student-athlete, Garcia was called in to help the field hockey team due to injuries. She demonstrated leadership learning the new sport and helping the team to a number of key victories. On the diamond, she was a four-year captain, which helped foster leadership skills that would help her in other positions at Anna Maria and in the community. She also served as President of both her class and of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Garcia also helped organize events with You’re With Us and End Hate. She was a member of the Worcester County Opioid Task Force, went on a campus ministry trip to Puerto Rico in 2019, and also worked with the LIFT organization to help victims of the sex trade. In 2021, the two-sport AMCAT was also a 75th Anniversary committee member.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Being an athlete at Anna Maria College was one of the most rewarding and life-impacting experiences.
Academics are always essential to me as it was unsure if I would even be able to attend college due to financial struggles and having a single parent. I was able to graduate with a double major in forensic criminology and psychology with a 3.9 and my MBA with a 4.0 and had earned a spot on the Dean’s list every semester. I was also a four-year captain for the softball team and president of SAAC during my undergrad years as well as class President.
I was able to start the End Hate event where people can reflect, see change, and join together as one on racial issues and making our community better. During this event professors, coaches, students, and other AMC community members all come to have their voices heard. Another way I was able to be a leader was volunteering through our campus ministry on a missionary trip to Puerto Rico to help rebuild houses that were destroyed by natural disasters.
All five years at AMC I partnered with the You’re With Us organization. I gained a teammate and lifelong friend. This non-profit ensures opportunities for young adults with disabilities. By far it has been one of the most rewarding and touching experiences I have had being in her life. In the Worcester community, I was also able to be a leader off campus by volunteering at LIFT a shelter committed to ending the sex trade.
Due to injuries and not having enough players, I was asked to help our field hockey team this past season. With no prior experience playing the sport I knew it was going to be difficult. I knew that as an athlete I could not let them struggle even if I was just to be someone to give a teammate a breather. At first noticing how hard the sport was, I was defeated that I would not be able to be there for my team and let them down. However, with three practices under my belt I was thrown into my first game starting that same week. My first game, I was nervous and still had very limited knowledge on how to even play the sport. That game, I wound up scoring the game-winning goal and first win of the season. We went on to end our losing streak to having help the program have one of the best seasons we have had. Leading us to playoffs, scoring the most team goals, points, and game winning goals I was shocked at what I pushed myself to do. I was able to perceiver and fight to learn something outside of my comfort zone and help be a leader no matter the experience I had going in.
All of these events have made me grow not only as a student and athlete but also as a person. My life-what I think and how I act- is my message to the world. If I can be a catalyst for change in any way possible, I will ensure that I will give it my all.”
SHANNON O'CONNELL| COLBY-SAWYER | CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK & FIELD
Major: Exercise Science
O’Connell’s was a year-round student-athlete at Colby-Sawyer, participating in cross country and both indoor and outdoor track & field, all while working towards her degree in exercise science. She earned a 3.78 GPA and picked up a number of academic achievements along the way. She was a USTFCCCA Academic All-American in both 2019 and 2022, a member of the Alpha Chi Honors Society, and a multi-year member of the GNAC Academic All-Conference Team. Athletically, she left her mark in the Chargers’ record book, as the program record holder in the 6K and placing 50th in the NCAA Regional race, the second-best finish in CSC history. She also claimed the school’s 5K record and was a 2021 and 2022 regional qualifier in the 10K. In conference competition, she was the 2019 GNAC Rookie of the Year, the 2022 GNAC Runner of the Year, while also earning multiple All-Conference accolades. Institutionally, she was the 2022-23 Colby-Sawyer Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. The three-sport captain also helped out on campus as a member of the Colby-Sawyer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a tutor at the Student Learning Collaborative.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Going into Colby-Sawyer my freshman year I never realized the impact my time in New London would have on me. I have learned how to be resilient, confident, and a better leader during challenging times. Running is hard, most of my college career was spent running sixty-mile weeks while being a full-time student, working part-time jobs, and completing internships. My teammates and I would joke with each other during our thirteen-mile-long run on Monday afternoons about how this probably wasn't a normal thing to be doing, but we loved it.
I had a lot of immediate success during my freshman year which led me to put a lot of pressure on myself because I never envisioned myself running that fast. Then towards the end of freshman year, we were sent home due to COVID. I was unable to compete my sophomore year due to the pandemic, which was tough I felt as if my athletic identity had been taken away from me. During my junior year, I was named captain of the cross-country and track teams. I was one of a couple upperclassmen in a mostly freshman program. I was nervous because I wanted to make the freshman feel as supported as I felt my freshman year. I spent most of the year injured which was heartbreaking considering the time I had already missed. I spent hours in the pool cross-training, dreaming of the day when everything clicked with running again. Despite my ever-present determination to be the best runner I could be, I learned how to separate my identity from running and what it meant to be a good leader. I showed my teammates how to fail forwards and face adversity. My senior year felt like I finally got redemption, and I was feeling stronger than the girl who started this journey four years ago.
During my time at Colby-Sawyer, I was a part of the Alpha Chi Honors Society, SAAC, and the student learning collaborative as a peer tutor. I completed two internships and took part in various volunteering opportunities. I learned the power of collaboration, communication, and respect. With the support of the people around me, I followed my dreams, always doing what was best for me. I have so much passion for the mental and physical benefits of exercise. My capstone was a research study where we looked at the mental and physical impacts beet juice supplementation could have on athletes. The support I have been given has allowed me to dream big, this fall I will be attending graduate school to get my master’s degree in nutrition to combine my passion for exercise and nutrition. I want to give back and work with young college athletes. The person I was four years ago never would have imagined the growth I have had as a person, within academics and athletics but I would not have been able to do it alone.”
ZOE COLEMAN| DEAN | FIELD HOCKEY & SOFTBALL
Major: B.A. Communications, A.S. Sports Management
Coleman developed her leadership skills at Dean as a member of the field hockey and softball teams, earning a 3.98 GPA en route to her degree in communications. Her academic excellence earned her a number of awards, including spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad, and the GNAC Academic All-Conference Team. She also won the Dr. Karen L. Skyes Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award for having the highest GPA among female student-athletes. Her grades also landed her on the President’s and Dean’s lists. She was also a multi-time NFHCA Scholar of Distinction. Aside from her academic success, Coleman was also a model citizen, earning the Dean College Field Hockey Team Sportsmanship Award and being a member of the 2022 GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team. She was a Phi Eta Sigma honoree and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma and the Golden Key Honor Society. Additional awards included the Peter Hexter ’66 Campus Involvement Award for demonstrating commitment to athletics, academics, and for being actively involved in the athletic department leadership opportunities, community service, and campus opportunities and the Arthur W. Pierce Prize Award for loyal character, friendly spirit, cooperativeness, believes in the good and honors classmates. She participated in a number of community service projects and took on leadership roles as the President of the Dean Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a member of the GNAC Commissioner’s Council.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“My journey as a female student-athlete at Dean College has been nothing short of transformative. It has empowered me with the ability to make a positive impact on the world. Throughout my time as a scholar, athlete, and leader on campus and in the community, I have had the privilege of engaging in diverse experiences that have shaped my character, nurtured leadership qualities, and instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility.
One pivotal role that I undertook was serving as the Vice President and later President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This position allowed me to actively contribute to the well-being of my fellow student-athletes, gaining valuable insights into our shared experiences. Additionally, being a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conferences Commissioners Council provided me with the opportunity to offer input on rules, regulations, and policies that directly impacted the lives of student-athletes. Through my participation on the NCAA Convention and Legislation Committee, I was able to further shape the collegiate athletic experience for my peers.
However, my commitment extended beyond administrative roles. Engaging in acts of community service has been an integral part of my journey. Whether it was creating receiving blankets for premature babies in the NICU or participating in the Salvation Army's "Dress A Live Doll" campaign, these experiences allowed me to witness the power of small acts of kindness. They instilled in me a deep sense of compassion and an unwavering drive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Being a student-athlete has taught me how to be a leader and have a voice.
My success as a student-athlete, both on the field hockey and softball fields, as well as in the classroom, has further contributed to my personal growth.
Achieving a 3.98 cumulative GPA and being recognized as a member of multiple prestigious honor societies such as the Golden Key Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma Society, Phi Eta Sigma, and the National Student Leadership Society have all reinforced my dedication, and motivation to academic excellence and provided me with a solid foundation to excel in various areas of my life.
In the face of the unprecedented challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, I felt an unwavering commitment to contribute in any way I could. At my summer job, I helped redirect production efforts towards creating face shields and masks for healthcare workers. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand the tangible impact that a collective effort can make during difficult times.
Collectively, these experiences have not only shaped my identity but also empowered me to become a catalyst for positive change. As a female student-athlete, I have learned the importance of leadership, determination, and service. My journey at Dean College has equipped me with the skills necessary to navigate through obstacles and has ignited a deep passion within me to uplift and inspire others.”
TAYLOR BORLA| ELMS | LACROSSE
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Minor: Psychology
Borla accomplished a lot in her time as a lacrosse student-athlete at Elms, including earning her degree in communication sciences and disorders with a 4.0 GPA and being named valedictorian of the class of 2023. Her academic prowess led to inductions into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society, the Elms College Honor Society, the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society, and the Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Society. She was also a multi-time member of her conferences’ Academic All-Conference teams. She earned the Elms awards for the highest academic achievement in each of her years at the institution and was named to the Dean’s List from fall 2019 to spring 2023. On the field, she was GNAC All-Conference Third Teamer in 2023. She was a starter for all four years and scored 94 goals. In 2022 she won the Iron Woman Bolt Award and was a Chi Alpha Sigma Scholarship Athlete of the Year Candidate in 2023. Borla was also heavily involved on campus as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), student government, and the student activities board. She was also the President of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. Her service activities included working a can food drive and participating in the Dorothy Day Program, which gives back to the local community.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Scholastically, I pushed myself to achieve the best grades and was honored as the valedictorian of my class. I accomplished this as a four-year student-athlete and captain of the women's lacrosse team from sophomore through senior year. During my junior year, I conducted a survey research project with one of my professors focused on reciprocity in experiential learning which was above and beyond a regular curriculum, but was exciting to complete my first research project. In addition, I was able to complete a full year of practicum working as a speech pathologist in an elementary school during my senior year. My friends, family, teammates, and children I worked with were all so proud of my scholastic accomplishments and celebrated my graduation with words of appreciation, notes, and cards letting me know what a motivating impact I had on their lives. An influence on me to always do my best no matter what obstacles were in my way was helping care for my late aunt who had cerebral palsy and is the reason I want to be a speech pathologist. The positive impact I had on the students I was able to work closely with to overcome their speech impediments was very rewarding for me and helped them gain self-confidence.
Athletically, as a three-year captain, I helped recruit young women to come to our school and participate in our sport. Once on campus, I was able to help motivate them to become better players on the field, as well as focus on their academics. The positive impact I had on my teammates and coaches was very rewarding as I was a positive role model and led by example. I had to overcome vocal cord dysfunction and multiple concussions and never quit. Whether it was playing through my own injuries, helping a teammate push herself to get stronger in the weight room, or positively motivating the team throughout practices and games, feeling the gratitude from each of them was validation that I had a positive impact on them all.
I have held many leadership roles that have empowered me to have a positive impact on my communities. The Girl Empowerment Club I began in middle school to help all young ladies who joined learn to stay healthy and active, learn to lead and have their voice heard, and learn to grow through positive experiences like yoga classes and hiking; many of the girls still meet up today and help each other through difficult situations. Leadership roles on campus have also greatly influenced my life because I have learned the importance of holding myself and others accountable. Being the President of two organizations on campus has not only taught me it is crucial to communicate with others, but it has taught me that I am capable of having a positive impact on the lives of others around me. I have done a lot but I know there is so much more I will do!”
JORDAN RESTIVO| JOHNSON & WALES | SOCCER
Major: Health Science
Restivo embodied what it means to be a student-athlete during her time at Johnson & Wales, excelling both on the field and in the classroom. She earned a degree in health science, while maintaining a 3.76 GPA. Her performance in the classroom garnered plenty of accolades including a spot on the 2022 United Soccer Coaches (USC) Academic All-America First Team. She was also a member of the GNAC Academic All-Conference Team and graduated magna cum laude. Restivo was also included on the Dean’s List. However, her effort in the classroom was matched by her performance on the pitch. She was a USC All-America First Teamer and finished her Wildcat career as the school’s all-time leader in goals (62), assists (47), and points (171). In her final season, she led the NCAA Division III in points with 66. Her on-field accomplishments earned her two GNAC Offensive Player of the Year honors (2021, 2022), and GNAC Rookie of the Year honor (2018), and multiple First Team All-Conference Selections. She was a team captain and a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member, while also participating in a number of a community service events. Some of those events include volunteering with Ronald McDonald House, Sunrise Forever, and NECSL – Taunton Youth Soccer. She also was part of the beach clean-up on Oakland Beach, a coach with the American Youth Soccer Organization, and helped out with Project GOAL and the Rhode Island Food Bank.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Committing to soccer, academic excellence, and my teammates seemed to be an easy decision after high school. As a student-athlete, I knew that balancing my academic career and my athletic career was job one. I didn’t realize that becoming part of something bigger including my team, my school, and my community, would have such a strong impact on me. It became clear that as I focused on school and athletic excellence, I had an opportunity. I could become a leader and an example. I could have a tremendous impact on those around me. I set goals to personally improve each year and did so over my collegiate career by achieving Rookie of the Year, then Player of the Year, breaking the all-time scoring record at my school, and finally finishing first in points in the nation as well as being honored to be named to the First All-America Team and First Academic All-America Team in my final collegiate year.
I am proud of my success and always strove to set a work rate standard with my pace and hard work both in and out of season. Extra workouts, extra teams in the off season, constant dedication to improvement were a must. I saw that with my success and our team success, we could grow our program and transform that program to what it has become today.
Community service was an integral part of our college program from the beginning. Volunteering in the community with those experiencing food insecurity and being a role model for community youth soccer players was more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. The entire range of experiences gave me the confidence to be an advocate for the women’s soccer team and equity across the athletic programs at my school when it was clear that speaking up was necessary.
Once completing my collegiate career, my success at Johnson & Wales afforded me the opportunity to continue to excel in the WPSL on the Rhode Island Rogues including being Northeast Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. That experience and confidence combined with my prior successes led to the opportunity to be a part of the Boston Dream Soccer Team. The mission of the Boston Dream Soccer Association is to promote women in all aspects of soccer by fostering leadership through education, community, and opportunity.
What started as my young girl dream to play soccer in college has grown into a realized dream of succeeding in college, playing soccer beyond college, changing the lives of others around me, and promoting women in sport and in the community.”
SHERIDAN BLAHA| LASELL | FIELD HOCKEY & BASKETBALL & LACROSSE
Major: Exercise Science
Blaha accomplished the admirable feat of earning a degree in exercise science, while competing as a three-sport athlete. She earned a 3.68 GPA along with a number of academic honors, including being named to the Nation Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad in both 2021 and 2022 and to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team in 2022-23 for basketball. Even with all her academic accomplishments, her on-field contributions could not be overlooked. Despite playing only two years at Lasell (started at Regis), she finished with the fifth most goals in school history. She was the 2019 GNAC Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-GNAC Second Team in field hockey three times. Blaha also has an extensive list of service and leadership activities including starting Lasell Fit, a club started to provide more opportunities for college students, especially women and non-varsity athletes, to learn about and participate in physical activity. She was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a Title IX Ambassador, and part of the Health Professions Club. Some of her projects around the community included serving as a student Santa, speaking in front of the Lasell Alumni Association, Brighton’s Future Forward Program, and participating in a Unified Basketball event.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“I have always centered my life around a statement by Eleanor Roosevelt, “Life is what you make of it.” If you want to make your dreams a reality, fight for every bit of success. As a student-athlete, who was determined to follow my dreams, I learned that obstacles, setbacks, and accepting failures are a part of the journey. I first experienced this growing up watching my mother raise twins in a single-parent household after persevering through and surviving one of life’s hardest challenges. Coming from a domestically unsafe situation she fought to rise above it. She showed me the value of a strong mindset during life’s toughest times; a lesson that would later help me achieve success in my life as an athlete and an independent woman. It was because of her and our motto that I learned to become who I am today.
Freshman year, I had a record-breaking season in field hockey, earning conference Rookie of the Year, setting goal-scoring records, and playing a significant role in helping Regis earn its first GNAC tournament trip ever. I also joined SAAC to make a difference on campus. During this process, I learned to live on my own, believe in myself, and develop independence. In doing so, I also learned to deal with disappointment, self-doubt and overcome setbacks. Little did I know then, these life skills would be instrumental in the coming weeks, months, and even years ahead.
My life motto took on new importance again in my life when suddenly COVID-19 shut our world down, abruptly sending us home with an unclear date of return. In addition, my much-admired field hockey coach resigned, which attributed to my losses. Soon after, our fall season was canceled. Everything I had was taken from me in an instant and I lost all sense of myself. Thinking of the powerful mindset of my mother, and the grit she possessed in hardship, I decided to make a difficult and formidable decision to transfer to Lasell University. It was a tough decision, not knowing when I would return to school, who my coach would be, and any of my new teammates, but I had faith in the process, believed in myself, and stayed true to my values. I trusted life would be what I make of it, and soon came to learn that this was the best decision I could have ever made.
At Lasell, my best and only friend was my twin brother. From there I joined the basketball team, changed my major to exercise science due to the pandemic, and helped a classmate start “Lasell Fit”, one of my proudest achievements and investments in the LU community outside of athletics. My teammates would then become my best friends. Life was good again.
The obstacles and setbacks that I overcame in my life allowed me to be a leader on campus. My success in college athletics gave me the platform to reach and connect with my peers. Still, my ability to overcome adversity and believe in myself stemmed from my upbringing and the qualities instilled in me by my mom. I am confident in myself to accept the unknown and to fight for what I believe in. Life is what you make of it.”
CASHMAN MURPHY| REGIS | SWIMMING & DIVING
Major: Nursing
Cashman completed her nursing degree at Regis with a 3.87 GPA, while also competing on the Pride’s diving team. Her academic accomplishments were recognized by a number of organizations. She was a member of the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) All-Academic Team, a GNAC Academic All-Conference honoree, and also earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team in 2022-23. She was also the 2022-23 recipient of the Regis College Athletics Regis-Casserly Award for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service. In the pool she was the 2022 NEISDA Swimming & Diving Championships Diver of the Meet, while also winning the three-meter diving championship and finishing second in the one-meter event. She qualified for the regional competition in 2022-23. In her final season, she also won GNAC Diver of the Year honors. She set the GNAC championship record for 11-dive score in one-meter diving in 2023 with a score of 420.50. In addition to her role as a student-athlete, Cashman is also a member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church Vestry, a member of Regis’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as well as a member of the Student Nurses Association. She also volunteers with the Wellesley Stars swim and dive team.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Athletics has always been an important part of my life. Throughout my undergraduate career, being a student athlete taught me how to be disciplined, manage my time, work hard, persevere, and become a leader. One of my biggest lessons thus far in athletics is that perseverance breeds success. I trained as a gymnast up until high school and thought I had found the sport I would continue to pursue. Unfortunately, I had some significant back injuries which resulted in multiple spinal fusion surgeries. This ended my gymnastic career and shattered my hopes for being a collegiate athlete. I thought I would never find a sport I loved ever again and certainly never thought I would excel in one. In addition, it was extremely difficult to be without the support system of a team. I found my way to springboard diving, which I quickly came to love. I had to assess when to push myself physically and where my limitations were. At the same time, I was balancing academics and trying to be a positive role model around campus. I learned how to prioritize between academia and athletics. Initially I struggled with this a lot. I had to fail, reassess, and adapt. This required realizing when to step back and when I needed to advocate for myself. Perseverance no longer means just pushing through physical pain. I have learned that excelling requires a holistic approach in body, mind, and spirit. I have seen a lot of growth in myself through this journey not only with this outlook on life, but also in a leadership capacity. Being a student athlete in the Regis community means taking on a leadership role. The high standards for athletes at Regis are to exemplify sportsmanship, a dedication to academics, and to be a role model throughout the campus. I have found this both a challenging and a rewarding experience. I was always quiet when I was younger and preferred leading by example rather than taking a vocal approach to leadership. As a team captain and a leader within my church, I found the value in voicing my opinions while listening and collaborating with others. These programs have empowered me to enact change, work towards solutions with others, and ultimately understand the importance of leadership in different forms. I would not be the person I am today without athletics shaping my work ethic and teaching me some of life's most important skills.”
AVERY POLLARD| RIVIER | VOLLEYBALL
Major: Business Management
Pollard’s career as a student-athlete a Rivier was an impressive one as she completed her degree in business management with a 3.83 GPA, while also performing well on the volleyball court. She was Dean’s List honoree from 2018 to 2022 and was inducted into the National Athletic Honor Society. She was also named to the GNAC Academic All-Conference Team from 2018 to 2023 and graduated magna cum laude. On the court, she proved herself to an important asset for the Raiders. After earning All-GNAC Third Team honors in 2019, she elevated her play to First Team status in 2021 and 2022. She was named the GNAC Player of the Year in 2021, and the Setter of the Year in 2022. She finished her career with 3000 assists and was the Regis Female Athlete of the Year. In the community, Pollard was active in the YMCA after-school program and also worked at Hunt Community working with the elderly. She was an orientation leader and member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), plus also worked as a coach with Mill City Volleyball.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Leadership has always been fascinating to me. The ability to lead is one that not everyone has. When done right there is a certain beauty to leadership; seeing one person have influence over a large group and leading them to something great is truly amazing. I have always strived to be a leader, one that a group can look up to, one that can convince a group they should strive for greatness. It wasn’t until I went to college, and stepped foot on a volleyball court that I was able to be that leader I always wanted to be. I saw women older than me step into leadership positions, and I truly wanted to be just like them. I learned that leaders have certain traits, dedication, grit, passion, and confidence. I wanted those traits for myself, and I worked hard to become those things. I was in the gym seven days a week, working hard to prove to myself that I was dedicated, and that I had grit. I knew I had a passion for the game, and with the help of my coach I learned how to be confident in myself, my game, and my team. Though that work was mainly for volleyball it transferred into my everyday life. I noticed myself standing up a little taller, being a little more outgoing in class and just being more comfortable in who I was. I led group projects, I participated in campus activities, and I looked forward to community service. The things that I learned from the women who led me as a freshman, led me to become a leader not only on the court, but on campus, and in my community in general. Leadership is not something that is going to go away. Not for me, and not for any of the other amazing women who are being nominated for this award. We will translate this into our everyday lives. It is my goal to open my own business. You need passion, grit, dedication, and confidence to be successful in that world, but I know I have it, because collegiate volleyball proved it to me. I am eternally grateful for every challenge, and opportunity the game of volleyball gave to me. It is what made me the woman I am today, and I am ready for whatever the world throws at me. Sports like leadership have a certain beauty to them. They bring out the best (and worst) in athletes. Volleyball brought out characteristics in me that will transfer to the rest of my life, and I owe it to the game to use them to be great.”
MADISON MICHAUD | SAINT JOSEPH’S (MAINE) | SOCCER
Major: Nursing
Michaud was a performer in the classroom and on the soccer field as she earned her nursing degree from Saint Joseph’s (Maine) with a 3.56 GPA. She collected a number of awards for her academic excellence including the Ina G. Bean Nursing Award, while also being inducted into the Sigma That Tau Honor Society and the inaugural class of the Saint Joseph’s College of Chi Alpha Sigma Academic Honor Society. Michaud was a member of the Dean’s List and the GNAC Academic All-Conference Team and graduated cum laude. On the pitch, she was a multi-time GNAC All-Conference honoree and received All-Region Third Team honors in 2022. The Monk senior was also active in the community as part of the Monks Leadership Academy, the school’s health care center, and doing clinical work at local hospitals. Michaud was also a member of the GNAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“I grew up in a small town and had never left it until college. I moved 5 hours away from my hometown to a school where I knew no one. The first day I begged my parents to let me go home. On my last day of school, I cried because I had to leave. Throughout my time in college, I grew as an athlete or a student, as a person. I attended leadership classes for two years and was a two-year captain. I also served as the GNAC SAAC executive for my school. I have had many opportunities to give back through sports such as donating blankets to my local children's hospital, donating Christmas gifts to Operation Christmas Child, and taking part in Special Olympic activities. I am also a nursing major and have been able to work over 200+ clinical hours, 200+ hours in my school's health center, and working in my local hospital. Throughout my nursing career, I have done a research project on the importance of breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding and the difficulties third-world countries face with this problem. I have helped organize covid-19 immunization drives. I was also a part of the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society and also the National College Athlete Honor Society. I have grown exponentially as a person through my time in college. I plan to join leadership committees at my new position at Maine Medical Center as a nurse.”
RILEY WASIUK | SIMMONS | SOCCER & LACROSSE
Major: Physical Therapy
Wasiuk earned her physical therapy degree with a 3.66 GPA, while also competing as a two-sport athlete. In the classroom, she earned a spot on the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Squad three times and was also a three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference selection. In 2022, she was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team. A defensive force on the lacrosse field, she earned multiple All-GNAC selections and was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. She is the all0time leader at Simmons in caused turnovers with 89, 46 of which came in her single-season record setting year in 2023. Wasiuk was also named to the IWLCA All-Region Second Team in both 2022 and 2023. In the community, she was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and volunteered in the Sharks and Minnows Day Camp.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Nothing compares to standing at the beginning of a tunnel of teammates waiting for your name to be announced before a game. Although everything that happened on the other end of the tunnel was not always glorious, playing with my teammates through the ups and downs of competition has shaped me as an athlete, a student, and as a person.
Throughout my time at Simmons I have learned a tremendous amount that will help me have a successful career and hopefully have a positive impact on the community around me. Countless hours in lectures, labs, and the library have taught me the knowledge and skills I will need to be a successful physical therapist in the future. Although the student always comes first in being a student-athlete, I learned just as much being an athlete as I did through my academics. Countless hours on the field and with my teammates has given me a hard work ethic, taught me how to take critiques, and showed me how to be a good leader and a supportive teammate. Some of the most important concepts being a student athlete has taught me is that there is never just one way to win a game and that you need to be able to adapt to be successful. As well prepared as you are to take the field with a game plan, there is no way to know how successful this strategy is going to play out. The uncertainty of the outcomes of the plan corresponds to the uncertainties of how a patient is going to respond to a physical therapy. Being able to adapt a patient’s plan of care based on how positively they are reacting to and progressing through their recovery will allow me to provide the best care possible to help my patient’s win in a sense. Working alongside the idea of adaptability, the mindset of “team over me” that Simmons athletics has instilled in me over the years will also aid me in providing the best care I can as a physical therapist. When a patient is coming in for treatment, you are joining their team with the common goal of overcoming the condition that brought them into your practice. All the qualities of being a supportive teammate and a good leader translate to having a successful team in the clinic. Good leadership skills will help me to guide a patient through a treatment plan that might seem intimidating to them and being a supportive team member will help me to comfort a patient through the possible ups and downs of their recovery process.
Even though my time as a Simmons athlete is nearing an end, being a student athlete has taught me valuable lifelong skills that will not only help me be a successful physical therapist but also help me be the best version of myself possible.”
TATIANA BILBRAUT | UNIVERISTY OF SAINT JOSEPH (CONN.) | SOCCER & LACROSSE
Major: Criminal Justice Minor: Psychology
Bilbraut was a two-sport student-athlete participating on both the USJ soccer and lacrosse teams, while earning a 3.78 GPA in pursuit of her criminal justice degree. During her time with the Blue Jays, she excelled academically, earning Dean’s List honors from 2019 to 2023 and was named to the 2022 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team. She also demonstrated exceptional leadership as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member, orientation leader, Hispanic Student Union secretary, and a participant on the GNAC Commissioner’s Council. She also worked home events as the O’Connell Athletic Center, served as a public safety student intern, and was part of the student-athlete interview panel, which was part of the hiring process for multiple positions within the department. Bilbruaut won the 2023 Blue Jay Senior Student-Athlete Award, which is awarded to ta senior student-athlete who makes a significant contribution to her sport and makes a commitment to the University of Saint Joseph over her college career by demonstrating leadership, community service, and spirt.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
“Throughout high school I grew my love for athletics, but never thought it would continue to grow at the collegiate level. Growing up I was known as "Kevin's little sister" and constantly found myself in my older brother's shadow. When I became part of the University of Saint Joseph community, I was able to truly find my own identity and make my own mark. I found a community that accepted and embraced who I was, not only as a student-athlete but as an individual as well. I found great successes in the classroom receiving Dean's list all eight semesters and found myself joining different clubs and programs across campus. I was never one to put myself out there and place myself in leadership positions, but at USJ I found myself having the courage and support of my peers and faculty to take on leadership roles like Orientation Leader, GNAC representative, Hispanic Student Union Secretary and more. In addition to growing as an individual on the soccer field, USJ also enhanced my abilities and skills in other areas that pushed me to grow as a whole person in all areas of life.”
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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