Varsity Club Appreciation Award - Ashley Steffey and Katie Knisely
Competitive Spirit Award - Megan Davy
Impact Player Award - Emily Kraker
Leadership Award - Sophie Koeppl
Athletic Integrity Award - Addie Bobosky
Composure Award - Summer Stillson
Perseverance Award - Kelsey Matyi
Mary Ellen Smith Academic and Athletic Achievement Award - Morgan VanderWey
Donald Miller Belles Spirit Award - Giavanna Paradiso
Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Athlete Award - Erin Doyle
Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Athlete Award - Hunter Kehoe
For a full video replay of the 2021 Senior Athlete Awards ceremony, watch the event on our YouTube channel here.
Varsity Club Appreciation Award - Ashley Steffey and Katie Knisely
The Belles Varsity Club Appreciation Award is presented to a member of the Saint Mary's College community for extraordinary contribution to the Saint Mary's Department of Athletics.
Extraordinary contribution does not even begin to scratch the surface of all that our athletic trainers, Ashley and Katie, have done this year to ensure that we had the opportunity to stand up here today to honor our senior student-athletes. In a non-pandemic year, the workload of our two incredible athletic trainers requires a lot of work and patience. Throw in ever-changing protocol and procedures, figuring out all new best practices, trying to ensure that all members of our community are up-to-date on those changes while swabbing more nostrils than imaginable, and that level of work and patience has been dialed up like never before.
Since last spring, Ashley and Katie have taken their roles as our experts in health and safety to a new level. They learned all about contact tracing, sanitization best practices, and return to play guidelines. They added to their collection of personal protective equipment to keep themselves safe. They have been our front line workers. They have been essential. Hours and hours of meetings - on Zoom or Google Meet of course - and countless revisions to policies through hundreds of emails, Ashley and Katie have done more behind the scenes to ensure our athletes were safe in practices and competitions. They have donned the ghostbuster backpack to sanitize the dugouts between games. They have selflessly come into the office any day at any hour to conduct the required pre-competition testings for our teams. This semester alone, they have administered nearly 2,000 COVID screening tests on our student-athletes and staff. No matter what comes their way, they continue to jump in when needed always putting the health and safety of our student-athletes first.
And in spite of all of these challenges and changes to what would be the "norm", Ashley and Katie have been integral to all four of our teams earning postseason berths, whether in MIAA Tournaments, NCAA Tournaments, or both. We could not have kept going – we could not have even started – without the care and commitment of these two. None of our teams’ success would have been possible. They hold us together a lot like the tape in their med kits. Amid so much uncertainty, they have been our constant.
They do not do their jobs for the recognition. They do it for the love of our athletes, the love of sports, and the love of watching you all compete. Ashley and Katie - thank you. From day one, you have both been excellent athletic trainers; but, bring on a pandemic, and you have risen to nothing short of extraordinary.
It is with great pride that we present our 2021 Varsity Club Appreciation Award to our athletic trainers, Ashley Steffey and Katie Knisely.
Competitive Spirit Award - Megan Davy
Presented in recognition of the senior athlete who demonstrates the passion and love for sport by her work ethic, desire to succeed, and commitment to her teammates.
True competitive spirit can be seen when a student-athlete cares just as much about her teammates' success as her own. Those student-athletes not only give their best for their personal wins, but they also give their best because they know how their efforts and contributions impact the team as a whole. For someone with that spirit – it is never just about themselves. For Megan Davy, she has emanated true competitive spirit from day one with the Belles tennis team.
To the first-time or casual spectator, Megan's competitiveness was not always immediately in your face. She was never the loudest player on the court, but she allowed her play to speak volumes. A head nod here, a mini fist pump there - Megan showed a steady level of poise on the court even though she was playing near the top of the Belles' lineup from day one.
Her desire to succeed pushed her to new competitive levels. That desire led to a 12-4 record her freshman season in conference doubles and singles combined as she was named All-MIAA Second Team. Among those victories was a key 9-8 doubles win with her sister Monica that helped lift the Belles to their first win over Kalamazoo in ten years. In her own words describing that win, Megan noted that while celebrating that team win with her Belles, she had a moment of realization as a freshman that she cared for her teammates "so deeply, that their success was more important to me than my own".
As time went on, Megan added 10 more wins in conference play as a sophomore and repeated as an All-MIAA honoree. After her junior season was cut short, she took advantage of the opportunity to compete this spring while adding 12 more wins to her career total and earning All-MIAA First Team honors Megan was named the MIAA Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week twice during her career and compiled 79 combined wins at one doubles, two singles, and one singles.
Her commitment to her teammates has been on display throughout her career. Megan is a two-time captain for the team and has served her team as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. But it is her compassion and caring nature that set her apart. She cares just as deeply about her teammates' success as her own. She knows how great it is to win and how much it hurts to lose when you have given your best effort. Megan is one of the first members of the team to share joy in those moments of euphoria after a win while also sharing a shoulder to cry on or a gesture of support in those moments of disappointment and sadness after a tough loss.
Megan's competitive spirit extends beyond her impact on the Belles tennis program. As both a sophomore and again this spring, she was chosen by her peers across the conference as the Sue Little Sportsmanship award winner. She is the first tennis player at Saint Mary's to ever earn the conference award twice. It is just further evidence that her competitive spirit and passion for playing the sport the right way has made a lasting impression on the student-athletes against whom she has competed.
A native of Morris, Illinois, Megan is the daughter of Sara and Eric Davy. She will graduate with a degree in nursing and a minor in biology. We are proud to present the 2021 Competitive Spirit Award to Megan Davy.
Impact Player Award - Emily Kraker
Presented to the senior athlete who elevates the intensity and focus of a game beyond what statistics can measure.
Intensity and focus. Those two words encapsulate two of the biggest attributes any coach could ever want in a goalie, and they are exactly what Emily Kraker has brought to the lacrosse program from day one.
If you have ever had the chance to watch Emily in goal for the Belles, her impact has been both noticeable and undeniable. Regardless of how she has been playing, she has been at her absolute best when the game has been on the line. All you need to do is take a look at the Belles' closest games in just this past season - a save to clinch a one-goal win at Kalamazoo; a save in the final minute of the MIAA Tournament Semifinal to preserve a one-goal win over Albion; and three saves - including two on free position shots - in the final six minutes to slow down a Hope comeback effort and lift the Belles to a one-goal victory in the MIAA Tournament Final.
But that intensity and focus has been there all along. If you have ever watched her prepare to stop a free position shot, you can almost see her intensity become tangible. It is almost as though the entire field disappears. She is so good in those situations that our team almost prefers to concede a free position because we have Emily. That impact is unparalleled.
On the field, that impact has yielded previously unachieved levels of success by both a Saint Mary's goalie and the Belles lacrosse team. A two-time captain, she holds every goalkeeping record - single game, single season, and career - in program history. When the Belles went undefeated in the 2019 regular season against conference opponents, Emily conceded a miniscule six goals per game. A four-time MIAA Defensive Player of the week, Emily has been named the MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Player twice. And – likely unknown to many people –she led all Division III women’s lacrosse goalies in total saves this season heading into the NCAA Tournament. But her impact extends well beyond individual honors and accolades.
When she was sidelined with an injury, Emily proved that her impact was bigger than her physical presence in the goal. She was the first one to encourage and build up whomever was standing between the pipes for the Belles. Her belief in them helped those student-athletes elevate their game. A two-time team captain, her desire to help all of her teammates with their game has been genuine from the start. She has been a voice for both her fellow Belles and for her coaches in that role as a captain.
And through all of those examples of the impact she has made, Emily has been instrumental in the addition of three trophies to the trophy case - two MIAA regular season championships and an MIAA Tournament title which led to the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance today.
A native of Westerville, Ohio, Emily is the daughter of Molly and Phil Kraker. She will graduate with a degree in nursing and a minor in biology. We are proud to present the 2021 Impact Player Award to Emily Kraker.
Leadership Award - Sophie Koeppl
Presented for outstanding leadership, commitment, and dedication.
Sometimes, leadership is an acquired skill, honed and developed over an entire career as a student-athlete. Other times, leadership seems to simply emanate from a person from the moment you encounter them. For Sophie Koeppl, it is a bit of a combination of the two. A third-generation military kid, she knows that leadership is a combination of the work you put in and the selflessness you show others.
It can be difficult for someone to transfer to a new school as a sophomore and make an impact, let alone make an immediate impact. Sophie did just that. She came from a program which had made the NCAA Tournament in her freshman year before she made the move to Saint Mary's, which gave her a glimpse into that "it" factor someone only learns through experience. Pair that with the sniper-level range Sophie quickly showed her teammates by draining three pointers well behind the arc, she was someone her teammates quickly embraced. As they all got to know her more, that connection on and off the court as a leader for the basketball program grew exponentially.
Sophie made significant contributions on and off the court in her three years with the program. When she was on the court, she averaged nearly 20 minutes per game, was an efficient shooter with a quick release, and was a steady presence on the floor. When she was sidelined with an injury, she turned her focus to leading her teammates, working to help them get better while not sulking or complaining about her situation. She always had a high five for a teammate whenever they came off the floor and took the initiative to talk with them to give them feedback. During practices when she was sidelined, she was always interacting with her teammates trying to help them improve. She was constantly selfless and committed to the team.
While she was able to bounce back from a handful of injuries over the years, her role on the team was one that changed from a starter to not being able to play at all to working her way back to a reserve player off the bench. Many student-athletes can lose their determination and drive to give their best through such uncertainty. Not Sophie. The only thing she ever wanted to know was what she could do to help the team, whether that was learning a new position or taking on roles of leading drills and teaching new plays. And when the season was canceled this year, she found a new way to lead a pair of her teammates by developing one-on-one sessions to keep them connected to the sport they all love so much.
Sophie's work ethic has been unmatched, balancing early mornings and late nights with ROTC, school, and basketball. Sophie has been exemplary in her demonstration of hard work and dedication over these past three years at Saint Mary's. She has been a leader unlike any other for the Saint Mary’s basketball program. Undoubtedly, she will be such a leader as she begins her career with the United States Army as a commissioned second lieutenant as a signal officer in Germany.
A native most recently of Edina, Minnesota, Sophie is the daughter of Tim and Cindy Koeppl. She will graduate with a degree in history along with a minor in economics. We are proud to present the 2021 Leadership Award to Sophie Koeppl.
Athletic Integrity Award - Addie Bobosky
Presented for to the senior athlete who best exemplifies honesty and respect for herself, her teammates and opponents, and the game itself.
Honesty. Respect. Responsibility. Not only are those inherent to the definition of integrity, but they are ways to describe Addie Bobosky and what she has contributed to the Saint Mary's cross country team.
Addie's integrity was evident even before she joined the cross country team. As one of two students on the Truth Initiative team, she knew that creating a positive impact on her community did not come without a lot of dedication and work. For those unsure what Truth Initiative is, it is a national nonprofit public health organization working toward a tobacco-free and nicotine-free future. Addie was integral to the campus efforts to make our community a healthier one by becoming tobacco-free. Through working with a national nonprofit, Addie found out through firsthand experience the effort, challenges, and responsibility needed to meet Truth Initiative's deadlines and expectations. And thanks to that same commitment to bringing Truth Initiative to our campus, Addie found her way to the cross country team. Addie has been an avid runner since before arriving on campus, and a conversation with our Athletic Director Julie over the span of their work together on the project led to a conversation between Addie and Coach Jackie. The rest is history.
Now, when it comes to running, there is a lot of individual accountability. Sure, the miles can be tracked with a smartwatch, but even the best technology cannot accurately measure the work and dedication of a runner. Addie put in the work. Repeatedly. Her commitment to developing herself into the best runner she could be for the Belles never took shortcuts. That commitment to doing what is right and never compromising for what is easy is how Addie became an immediate contributor to the cross country team in the fall of 2019. She was a scoring runner in every race she competed in for the Belles. From the start of the season to its end, she shaved 40 seconds off of her 6k time and was the third Saint Mary's runner to cross the finish line at the NCAA Regional race.
In the off season, she dedicated much of her time to becoming the best runner she could be. And when COVID-19 put a halt to last spring, she found a way to run a half marathon - yes, a half marathon - at home with her sister. That same commitment, honesty, and responsibility carried over all summer as she prepared for a senior season. Her dedication to herself, the team, and Saint Mary's overall were just a few reasons why she was selected as the 2021 Outstanding Senior Award winner by the Alumnae Association. For Addie, it has never been about personal recognition; it has always been about acting with integrity, honesty, and faith. She did not hesitate to lead without a title of "captain". She knows that titles do not determine a person's capacity to lead. Actions do. She did not need that official label anyway - that is just who Addie Bobosky is.
A native of Batavia, Illinois, Addie is the daughter of Andrea and Blake Bobosky. She graduated at the end of last semester with a degree in business administration with a concentration in management. We are proud to present the 2021 Athletic Integrity Award to Addie Bobosky.
Composure Award - Summer Stillson
Presented to the person who shows unparalleled poise and self-control in the face of pressure and competition.
Any athlete in any sport knows that pressure is a part of competition. Sometimes in those situations of pressure, an athlete can rely upon their teammates to pick them up, support them, and work together toward the collective goal. Other times, it is a battle between the athlete and their own mind. Golf is a sport that leans much toward the latter, and Summer Stillson has shown that poise and self-control no matter what elements or forces of nature might throw her way.
Prior to Summer and classmate Hunter Kehoe's arrival on campus, it had been seven years since the Belles golf program had been in contention for - let alone won - an MIAA title. The second week of her collegiate career, she was named MIAA Golfer of the Week after finishing tied for second overall with a 158 at the Olivet Labor Day Classic as she had 16 total pars in the two rounds while leading the field with five birdies. A few weeks later, the Belles were trailing three-time defending champion Hope midway through the conference season. Summer stepped up and helped lead the team to a conference course record score at Adrian while earning round medalist honors. That win put Saint Mary's ahead in the conference race, and the Belles went on to capture the 2017 MIAA Championship.
That was just one of many times Summer's composure yielded positive results not only for herself but for the program and department. She showed poise when a shot in a tournament her sophomore year landed amid a gaggle of goose droppings, and the resulting shot showered her in debris. Summer finished that day with a round-best 11 pars and finished third overall. She demonstrated composure with numerous rounds in the top-ten of tournaments and conference play. She has been steady, reliable, and incredibly crucial to the success of the golf team over the past four years. And the Belles have continued to achieve great things because of the contributions she has made to the program.
Away from the course, many people beyond the golf course have been fortunate to gain a glimpse at her poise and composure. A four-year most valuable contributor to sports information, Summer has been a go-to game day worker, basketball public address announcer, interviewer, graphic designer, video editor, and first-ever play-by-play broadcast talent for our lacrosse and softball games this spring. Win or lose - Summer has demonstrated her composure in each role she has played for the Department, and she has truly been an example of all that is great about Division III athletics.
A native of Nappanee, Indiana, Summer is the daughter of Jeff and Angie Stillson. She graduated at the end of last semester with a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. We are proud to present the 2021 Composure Award to Summer Stillson.
Perserverance Award - Kelsey Matyi
Presented to the student-athlete who has continued to show unwavering resilience and determination in response to adversity.
When you watch sports at any level, you often think you have an idea of how you would respond to adversity when you see it. You think of what you would do, and you think of what you would not do. But until you are in that moment, there is no telling how you would respond.
When Kelsey Matyi first stepped foot on campus, she had high expectations for herself during her time in a Saint Mary's soccer uniform. She had her sights set on establishing new goal scoring marks and leading the team up the ranks in the MIAA. She had already dealt with adversity on and off the pitch, and she was ready for a new start.
Kelsey had an immediate impact on the team from the first time she put on her cleats for the Belles. She tallied an assist in a road win over Manchester, battled a full 90 minutes at outside back against Calvin, and put in a full 90 minutes in a one-goal match at Trine. But leading up to that contest, Kelsey had developed what was initially thought to be a nagging ankle sprain. That match at Trine, though, exacerbated her unknown injury and after 18 minutes on the pitch the following game against Albion, Kelsey was subbed off. Little did any of us know that would be the last time she would compete in a Belles uniform.
After countless doctors' appointments, evaluations, and second - and third - opinions, Kelsey was left with no solid answer of what exactly was wrong with her ankle at the end of her freshman season. Despite being pulled away from the playing field, she continued to bring the best possible version of herself to her team. She worked through the pain to try to come back to the pitch in the fall of her sophomore year, but again she was met with the same result. Instead of walking away from the team, Kelsey put her efforts into becoming a leader for the program in ways not reflected in shots or goals. She demonstrated a level of character that any coach would hope their players would exemplify.
The pain was still there this past summer, but Kelsey, after more consultations and appointments, committed herself to one final season, one more chance to take the pitch and compete. She dug deep and worked hard to find her way back onto the field only to have that opportunity never fully materialize. Despite every challenge and road block, Kelsey has continued to be a light for her team, for her coaches, and for the entire Department of Athletics. It certainly has not been easy, but that is exactly why Kelsey's perseverance is what we celebrate today.
A native of Avon, Ohio, Kelsey is the daughter of Kim and Alan Matyi. She will graduate with a degree in elementary education with a minor in mild intervention. We are proud to present the 2021 Perseverance Award to Kelsey Matyi.
Mary Ellen Smith Academic and Athletic Achievement Award - Morgan VanderWey
Presented for outstanding academic and athletic achievement and future promise as a Saint Mary's sraduate.
Mary Ellen Smith served as our Dean of Students from 1986 – 1992. She was a dedicated leader, educator and avid supporter of all students during her tenure at Saint Mary's. She was especially supportive of the athletic department and of all student-athletes. Every student-athlete knew Mary Ellen. She was at our home events, award banquets, fundraisers, and would even assist in driving our teams to away contests. Through Mary Ellen's leadership and commitment to improving the athletic experience, she advocated for and oversaw the transition to our move from NAIA to NCAA Division III. Mary Ellen Smith passed away suddenly on June 1, 2015. To ensure that her contributions to Saint Mary's College Athletics will not be forgotten, we have re-named our academic and athletic achievement award in her honor.
As we all know too well, all of the student-athletes with us both in person and watching online have had the potential of their athletic achievements cut short - whether that was an entire missed season this year or opportunities cut short last year. Thinking about the "what might have been" moments, however, is not our focus; but rather, we celebrate the impressive achievements - both in the classroom and on the volleyball court - of our 2021 Academic and Athletic Achievement Award winner - Morgan VanderWey.
Morgan compiled incredible individual accomplishments and helped lead her team to previously unreached accomplishments. Individually, she ranks fourth all-time and third among setters in the rally scoring era with 2,852 assists in just 83 matches. She holds two of the five-highest single-season assist totals in the rally scoring era, and she is one of only six student-athletes in the history of the volleyball program to amass more than 1,000 assists in a single season. Her career attack percentage of .212 is the second-highest among setters in the last 20 years, and she did all of that in just three seasons.
In addition to her individual achievements, she helped lead the team to a sweep at Hope in her freshman season - the first time the Belles swept Hope since joining the MIAA in 1997 - and a 3-1 win over No. 7 ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater as a junior - the program's first win over an NCAA Division III Top Ten opponent in program history.
Academically, Morgan has continually excelled. She has earned Dean's List honors every semester and has multiple semesters with a 4.0 grade point average. Her academic honors include the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Society, and the Mary Jo Regan-Kubinski Honor Society Nursing Award.
A native of Tinley Park, Illinois, Morgan is the daughter of Dawn and John VanderWey. She will graduate with a degree in nursing. We are proud to present the 2021 Mary Ellen Smith Academic and Athletic Achievement Award to Morgan VanderWey.
Donald Miller Belles Spirit Award - Giavanna Paradiso
Presented to the person who best exemplifies the winning spirit of the College's athletic programs.
In 2008, the Belles Varsity Club Award was re-named the Don Miller Belles Spirit Award in his honor as a longtime math professor and assistant softball coach for the Belles. His life was taken by pancreatic cancer, but his legacy lives on through the many lives he touched both in the classroom and on the softball field. Coach Miller displayed true dedication and passion for Saint Mary's College and her Belles. This award is presented each year at the Senior Athlete Awards Reception to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the winning spirit of the athletic program.
There are some people who, when you meet them, you cannot help but sense something about their personality. It captivates you. It draws you in. Their spirit and enthusiasm know no bounds. It can be difficult to put into words exactly what sets them apart, but you know it when you see it. Giavanna Paradiso is one such person, and her winning spirit is something that has helped transform not only the Saint Mary's basketball team, but the entire College.
It did not take long to know that G is a competitor. She is not as tall as many other post players, but she constantly played taller than her 5-9 listed height. She never backed away from a matchup against a shot blocker, a conference most valuable player, or anyone for that matter – when she stepped onto the court, she was going to give every ounce of everything she had to do what she could to help the team win. She relished the chance to score an "and-one", and for anyone watching, you could not help but be drawn to watching G play. And G found success. She was an All-MIAA performer, a 1,000 point scorer in just three seasons, and helped the Belles to their first-ever MIAA Tournament road victory. There is no doubt that she would not have achieved those successes without the belief in herself, in her teammates, and in her coaches.
That same passion to the basketball court is what G brings to every facet of life. Not only would you be hard-pressed to find another member of the class of 2021 as passionate about Saint Mary's, but you would be just as hard-pressed to find someone willing to always stand up and fight for what she believes in. Her winning spirit is reflected in the desire to see Saint Mary’s be the best possible version of itself for everyone. She has used that spirit in her role as Student Body President to rally her Smicks to find their own voices. She empowers her Belles to find the winning spirit they all possess, and she helps them see just how powerful they truly are.
Looking back, if you ask G, she knows all too well what the win-loss record was for the basketball team prior to her arrival. And she also knows that she is leaving the basketball program in a better place than she found it. It is not that she has single-handedly turned everything around, but it is undeniable that her commitment to the Belles basketball team has been a big reason for the team's success over the past few seasons. She knew she could make an impact. Her desire, passion, and determination were contagious. She has made every one of her teammates better by just being herself. She has made the entire Department of Athletics better by choosing Saint Mary's. And she has made Saint Mary's better by choosing to be a Belle.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Giavanna is the daughter of Reggie and Dan Paradiso. She will graduate with a degree as a double major in political science and sociology with a concentration in criminology. We are proud to present the 2021 Don Miller Belles Spirit Award.
Note about the Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Award
In 2000, the athletic department named the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award in honor of Coach Marvin Wood. Coach Wood was an outstanding former basketball coach who finished out his career at Saint Mary’s College. His commitment, passion, and love for his athletes through the years inspired the nationally acclaimed movie, "Hoosiers" which highlighted the Cinderella basketball success story early in his coaching career. Coach Wood's former athletes say his passion, faith, dedication and commitment to his players made their athletic experience at Saint Mary’s a truly fulfilling and lifelong treasure for each of them. This year's recipient is the type of athlete that he would have been proud of!
Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Athlete Award - Erin Doyle
Presented to the outstanding senior athlete.
It did not take long for anyone following the Saint Mary's lacrosse team to realize that there had never been a player anywhere close to Erin Doyle's level to lace up her cleats for the Belles.
In her very first game, Erin broke the school record for goals in a game and points in a game - the start of many "firsts" and "broken records" which can be attributed to her name. By the end of her freshman season, Erin had helped the Belles to their first postseason win, their first MIAA Tournament Final appearance, and the most wins in a single season. Individually, she was named MIAA Rookie of the Year, IWLCA Second Team All-Region, set a new program record with 92 goals, and became the first player in program history to amass more than 100 points in a single season. She was only just getting started.
Her sophomore season saw Erin shatter more records as she scored 104 goals and registered 127 points during the year. Her efforts helped propel the Belles to the program's first-ever win over Calvin and an undefeated conference season for the first MIAA Championship in lacrosse team history. She was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Year and repeated as an IWLCA Second Team All-Region honoree after finishing fourth in all of Division III women's lacrosse in goals per game and total goals. She was on track to continue her massive contributions on offense in 2020. Erin was ranked second in goals per game average among players in DIII with at least five games played before the season came to an abrupt end in March.
Determined to make the most of this opportunity in her senior season, Erin has stepped up her game and elevated those around her to raise the program to even higher levels of success. She became the first player in program history and just the tenth player in NCAA Division III women's lacrosse history to score 300 goals in a career. She needed just 55 games to reach that incredible milestone. Erin has added single-season career-highs of 29 assists and 36 caused turnovers. She is one of three players in program history to reach over 100 goals, ground balls, draw controls, and caused turnovers in a career. She has established school records for goals and points in a game, in a season, and in a career. Erin scored at least one goal every time she took the field for the Belles.
On a conference level, she was a seven-time MIAA Offensive Player of the Week. Erin set new MIAA records for goals and points in a career - all in just three seasons of conference competition - and became the first player in MIAA history to repeat as Most Valuable Offensive Player. The Belles were named co-champions of the MIAA regular season, captured their first MIAA Tournament Championship, and made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
A native of Niskayuna, New York, Erin is the daughter of Chris and Paula. She will earn her degree from Saint Mary's in May in mathematics. She will spend the summer in Chicago interning with Kimley-Horn, and she will return to South Bend next year to complete her civil engineering degree from Notre Dame. We are proud to present the 2021 Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Athlete Award to Erin Doyle.
Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Athlete Award - Hunter Kehoe
Presented to the outstanding senior athlete.
Undeniably, the golf program is the most decorated team in Saint Mary's history. When someone accomplishes feats never done before and raises the bar even higher for such a program, the only way to describe that person is "outstanding". Hunter Kehoe has been nothing short of just that.
Hunter quickly emerged as one of the best golfers not only on the team but in the MIAA. Individually, she finished second in the conference standings while leading the Belles to their first regular season golf championship in seven years. In the spring, she collected back-to-back medalist honors as Saint Mary's secured the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament by nearly 80 strokes over the second place team.
Hunter just got stronger and stronger as her career continued. She opened her sophomore season by being named MIAA Golfer of the Week for the first two weeks of the season after winning individual tournament titles and leading the Belles to team victories at the Crosstown Rivalry and the Carthage Shootout on the Border. A few weeks later, she tied the MIAA record for the lowest 18-hole score in league history with a 70. She won her first MIAA Season Medalist and Most Valuable Golfer honors. Over the duration of her sophomore year, Hunter was named MIAA Golfer of the Week seven times and garnered her first WGCA All-Region honor.
As a junior, she set a new MIAA record for lowest score at the two-day end of season weekend jamboree and established a new conference standard with a 75.7 scoring average for her second consecutive MIAA Most Valuable Golfer and Season Medalist accolades. Add that to her two titles at Olivet and Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Hunter added three more MIAA Golfer of the Week recognitions, repeated as All-Region, and was named All-American. A year and a pandemic later, and Hunter has continued to add to her resume. She earned her third MIAA Most Valuable Golfer and Season Medalist titles as the Belles secured another NCAA Tournament berth. Hunter collected her fifteenth MIAA Golfer of the Week honor and became a four-time All-MIAA First Team honoree. Her total of conference golfer of the week honors is more than double the next highest individual student-athlete's total for the same recognition.
Hunter's accolades would be impressive enough on their own, but when put in comparison to the legacies left by those who competed before her, there is no doubt that she is deserving of this recognition. Prior to Hunter's arrival, two players in the history of the golf program - both All-Americans - each had a single-season scoring average below 80. Hunter has had three. Her current career scoring average is lower than any other individual's single-season scoring average. And she is not done yet.
A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Hunter is the daughter of Sean and Deborah Kehoe. She will graduate with a degree in business administration with concentrations in marketing and finance. We are proud to present the 2021 Marvin Wood Outstanding Senior Athlete Award to Hunter Kehoe.