SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- The Mount Holyoke College Department of Athletics hosted its annual Athletic Awards on Sunday, May 4 in Chapin Auditorium. The event was a great way to reflect on the 2024-25 academic year, including all of the accomplishments of the Lyons' student-athletes.
Scholar-Athletes
Following opening remarks from Director of Athletics Andrea Ricketts-Preston and President Danielle R. Holley, this year's scholar-athletes were recognized with their pins. During this portion of the ceremony, student-athletes heard from Christianna Smith Professor of Biological Sciences Craig Woodard and the elected scholar-athlete speaker from the track and field team, Aria Mallare.
Honorees are those senior students who have achieved a 3.5 or better cumulative GPA through the end of their senior year fall term (or second to last semester) and who have completed at least three seasons in a single sport including their senior year. Transfer students must meet the same GPA requirements, and they must have competed for their entire MHC career. Three December 2025 graduates who qualified were also honored.
These student-athletes received a pin for their dedication and excellence in academics as well as athletics:
- Cynthia Akanaga, Track & Field, Computer Science
- Grace Baines, Soccer, History/Politics
- Madeline Barton (Dec. 2025), Volleyball, Psychology
- Kimberly Beaver, Cross Country/Track & Field, Environmental Studies/Biological Sciences
- Lucie Berclaz, Volleyball, Biochemistry
- Megan Bliamptis, Equestrian, Sociology/Religion
- Chloe Broadwell, Track & Field, Geology
- Barah Burns, Volleyball, English/Religion
- Jen Butler, Rowing, Biochemistry
- Lilla Carroll, Rowing, Physics/Astronomy
- Annika Chai, Tennis, Economics/Mathematics
- Artemis Chen, Equestrian, Philosophy/International Relations
- Camille Cheng, Equestrian, Mathematics
- Dekyi Deji, Equestrian, Studio Art
- Mara Downie, Equestrian, Psychology
- Jessica Drent (Dec. 2025), Soccer, Biology/Chemistry
- Hannah Ellis, Soccer, Psychology & Education
- Sophia Guziewicz, Field Hockey, Politics/Gender Studies
- Hannah Heierhoff, Swimming & Diving, Mathematics/French
- Addison Heintz, Track & Field, International Relations/French
- Ririka Kakuta (Dec. 2024), Equestrian, Biological Sciences
- Rachel Katzenberg, Field Hockey, Psychology
- Hannah Keochakian, Soccer, Psychology/Mathematics
- Amrit Khinda, Basketball, Politics
- Tessa Lancaster, Cross Country/Track & Field, Environmental Studies/Biological Sciences
- Avery Livingston, Soccer, Politics
- Annabeth Loftman, Swimming & Diving, Neuroscience & Behavior
- Aria Mallare, Track & Field, Biological Sciences
- Jayonna Montigny, Field Hockey, Psychology & Education
- Madison Newsham, Swimming & Diving, Sociology
- Ella Phillips, Lacrosse, Physics
- Katie Rha, Basketball, Psychology & Education/Biological Sciences
- Megan Schneider, Swimming & Diving, Data Science
- Noa Sharabi, Swimming & Diving, Biological Sciences
- Jill Slatch, Rowing, Biochemistry
- Kate Smith (Dec. 2025), Equestrian, History/International Relations
- Emily Tarinelli, Swimming & Diving, English
- Greta Trapp, Cross Country/Track & Field, Biological Sciences
- True Usiatynski, Equestrian, International Relations/Biological Sciences
- Gracie Wilkinson, Field Hockey, Chemistry
- Kamlyn Yosick, Swimming & Diving, Biochemistry
Lyons Loyalty Awards
At Mount Holyoke College, student-athletes that participate in three traditional seasons on any varsity team including their senior year will receive a stole. Student-athletes that compete in three traditional seasons in the same sport, including the traditional season in their senior year receive an afghan and multi-sport athletes who qualify twice will receive a rose in recognition of their second sport. All other senior student-athletes receive a cord.
Basketball
- Marley Berano
- Amrit Khinda
- Cal McGonagle
- Katie Rha
Cross Country
- Kim Beaver
- Elizabeth Gerbi
- Tessa Lancaster
- Greta Trapp
Equestrian
- Cate Bates
- Megan Bliamptis
- Artemis Chen
- Camille Cheng
- Dekyi Deji
- Mara Downie
- Mads Hurley
- Ririka Kakuta
- Faith Marley
- Zhuohan Shen
- Kate Smith
- True Usiatynski
Field Hockey
- Sophia Guziewicz
- Rachel Katzenberg
- Jayonna Montigny
- Glenna Ricard
- Gracie Wilkinson
Lacrosse
- Madison Millyan
- Ella Phillips
Rowing
- Jen Butler
- Lilla Carroll
- Miranda Hull
- Jill Slatch
- Lilje Stratton
- Annika Smart
- Gwen Werth
Soccer
- Grace Baines
- Jessica Drent
- Hannah Ellis
- Hannah Keochakian
- Avery Livingston
- Sonia McCollum
Squash
- Amelia Arthur
- Paige Gershuny
Swimming & Diving
- Hannah Heierhoff
- Annabeth Loftman
- Madison Newsham
- Megan Schneider
- Noa Sharabi
- Emily Tarinelli
- Kamlyn Yosick
Tennis
- Annika Chai
Track & Field
- Cynthia Akanaga
- Kim Beaver
- Chloe Broadwell
- Lize Brown
- Abby Elliott
- Elizabeth Gerbi
- Addison Heintz
- Tessa Lancaster
- Aria Mallare
- Greta Trapp
Volleyball
- Madeline Barton
- Lucie Berclaz
- Barah Burns
- Dinanyelin Martinez
All Lyons-Team
These student-athletes, who are nominated by their coach, best exemplify the missions of their respective teams and are impact team members. These student-athletes uphold the values of both the Department of Athletics and the College and we could not be more proud of them.
- Basketball: Sofia Francisco
- Cross Country: Dalia Luckhardt
- Equestrian: Camille Cheng
- Field Hockey: Rachel Katzenberg
- Lacrosse: Elle Mader
- Rowing: Gwyn Munroe
- Soccer: Sonia McCollum
- Swimming & Diving: Emily Tarinelli
- Indoor Track & Field: Claire Willett
- Outdoor Track & Field: Chloe Broadwell
- Volleyball: Lucie Berclaz
Department Lyon of the Year
Each year, the Department of Athletics at Mount Holyoke College nominates and votes upon an individual that went above and beyond for the department and its student-athletes and coaches. The award went to Director of Athletics Andrea Ricketts-Preston, cited by numerous nominators for making an immediate, broad impact upon Mount Holyoke Athletics in her first full academic year in the position.
Coaching Staff of the Year
The Coaching Staff of the Year went to hunt seat riding head coach C.J. Law and assistant coach Morgan Lynch.
Rookie Athlete of the Year
Juliana Spaulding (Wakefield, Mass.) is a two-sport athlete at Mount Holyoke, and was a true game-changer for one of the lacrosse team in particular, where she made an enormous impact on both offense and defense, leading the team in five major statistical categories. In scoring 10 goals in the Lyons' win at Emerson, Spaulding tied a team record that has stood for 41 years, all in the service of a big NEWMAC win for the program. What further sets her apart, said a nominator, is "her quiet confidence and the genuine joy she brings to her teammates' successes. She's the first one in the weight room, the last to leave the field, and always there with a helping hand and a trademark sheepish smile."
Sophomore Athlete of the Year
Ioanna Tsoni has been a superstar for the track and field team in both the winter and spring seasons. In the winter, she was named All-New England in three events and helped break a team relay record. In the spring, she shattered three team records, won two All-NEWMAC honors, and was the conference champion in the long jump, coming only a half-inch short of the NEWMAC Championship record. She continued her heroics this weekend, winning the New England Division III long jump title and All-New England honors in the triple jump and 100 hurdles to boot. According to a nominator, she is so charming that she is "loved by all of her competitors in New England."
Junior Athlete of the Year
Elle Rimando (Mililani, Hawaii) had a great year for the track and field team. A nominator wrote that "Her season got off to a slow start for indoors, but once she started competing, she hit the ground running. She competed in four events for the team at our indoor tri-meet vs Smith and Wellesley in her third meet back, and scored in the long jump, triple jump, high jump and 200 meters." At last week's NEWMAC Championships, she placed 5th in the triple jump and 7th in the long jump, and at the New England Indoor Championships she placed 11th in the triple jump. This weekend at the New England Division III Championships, this versatile athlete placed in the top 15 in the long jump, triple jump, and 4x100 meter relay. She is also a starter on the volleyball team.
Senior Athlete of the Year
Cate Bates (Montclair, N.J.) had another very successful season for the Lyons hunt seat riding team. She was counted on for her jumping ability and her riding on the flat for the whole year. She won several big classes at the Tournaments of Championship during the year against top riders in the country. At the Zone Championships, she helped led Mount Holyoke to a team spot at this weekend's IHSA National Horse Show. She achieved the right to represent MHC in two spots in the top classes at the IHSA National Horse Show and to then also ride in the class she qualified individually in, but was injured in a fall the following day. It is a shame as a senior that has worked so hard as an officer, top rider and as a senior that cares so much for the team. She is a rider and team manager that has helped with the total success of our team all year long.
Highest Team GPA Award
Each year the Department of Athletics at Mount Holyoke College recognizes the team that produces the top cumulative grade-point average during the academic year. Nine other teams at Mount Holyoke boasted team GPAs over 3.50, but with a cumulative average grade-point average of 3.81, Mount Holyoke Rowing captured this year's Highest Team GPA Award.
Athletic Director's Award
Each year, the Director of Athletics at Mount Holyoke College is given the chance to recognize someone within the Mount Holyoke College community that exceeded expectations and went above and beyond for the College, the Athletics Department, and everyone around them. This year, Director of Athletics Andrea Ricketts-Preston awarded Ellen Perrella, Mount Holyoke's head athletic trainer who is retiring after 41 years, and Karla Youngblood, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management.
Laurie Priest Scholar-Athlete Award
This award is annually given to an exceptional athlete who displays great character and leadership, exemplary scholarship and is an outstanding representative of our school and athletic department. Alumnae Association Executive Director Trisha Tanner '00 was present to honor the individual that was selected for the department's most prestigious student-athlete honor.
A biochemistry major with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Lucie Berclaz has been a dedicated researcher, award-winning scholar, and a respected mentor. An excellent volleyball player, she has ranked among conference statistical leaders while playing a variety of positions, whatever the team needed, and she was the 2023 Sophomore Athlete of the Year two years ago. As terrific an athlete as she is, as a teammate she is world-class, always giving far more than what is asked, and constantly raising the standard of excellence within the program. She served as team captain for two years and has been a SAAC representative during her entire time at Mount Holyoke. Berclaz is described as kind, humble, dependable, and relentlessly driven. She has never taken a day off from striving to be her best—for herself, for her teammates, and for her communities in athletics and science.
