ALBANY, NY — Morgan Burchhardt, a senior from The College of Saint Rose, and Lydia Ware, a senior from Averill Park High School, received Grand honors at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event held at The Desmond Hotel Albany.

Burchhardt was named the Grand Collegiate Woman of the Year and Ware was named the Grand Scholastic Woman of the Year. The event also honored nine other high school and two other college female student-athletes from the region, who made up the 2020 (and first ever) Class of the Capital District Sports Women of the Year. CDSWOY honors excellence in academics, athletics and community service.

The event featured the honorees and two guests each at The Desmond. A live video was provided as well. The virrtual guest speaker was Chris Plonsky of the University of Texas, who serves as the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Chief of Staff and UT’s Senior Woman Administrator for Big 12 Conference and NCAA governance. Plonsky is a past president of of NACDA, NACMA and Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA).

Morgan Burchhardt was named a United Soccer Coaches second team Scholar All-American and a United Soccer Coaches first team Scholar All-East. Athletically, Morgan was a United Soccer Coaches third-team All-America pick and earned United Soccer Coaches first-team All-East honors. She was a Northeast 10 first-team All-Conference pick and made the NE-10 Championship All-Tournament Team and made the NCAA National Championship All-Tournament Team as her team reached the national semifinals. She was a four-time NE-10 All-Conference pick. A D2CCA second-team All-East pick, Morgan was named to the NE-10 weekly honor roll (10/21/19). She was fourth in program annals with 114 points, tied for 11th with 31 goals, and second with 52 assists. Morgan is one of only eight players in school history to record 100 career points. She was one of 14 active players in the country with 30 goals and 20 assists in 2019. Morgan was the active NCAA Division II leader in assists in 2019. She is the only player in school annals to record 10 or more assists in four separate seasons. Morgan’s community service includes the following: a former two-year Executive Board member of Saint Rose Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a four year member of SAAC, named the recipient of the 2019 Michael Simpson Striker Award, which is bestowed upon a Golden Knights men’s or women’s soccer player who is active in community service as determined by the athletics coaching staff, volunteer at Capital City Rescue Mission – Albany Food Bank, Team Reading Days at the Delaware Community School (City School District of Albany’s only school offering a bilingual education curriculum. The Dual Language Program teaches students in both English and Spanish), organized Penny Wars, fundraiser for the Strength in Numbers non-profit organization, Coaches U-10 & U-12 girls teams – Albany Alleycats Premier, Delaware Community School Volunteer – Mardi Gras and Math Night, Team Impact – Leadership position, and a volunteer at Saint Rose Women’s Soccer Youth Clinics.

Lydia Ware is Valedictorian of the APHS class of 2020 and a member of the National Honor Society. Other honors include recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Corporation Finalist, recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award, New York State Capital District Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit, CASDA Capital Region Scholar, NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and Averill Park High School Academic Excellence Awards for 13 courses over the span of her freshman through junior years. Lydia received Rensselaer County Legislature Commendation in her freshman, sophomore and junior years, which is awarded to the top five students per class at Averill Park. She participated in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, earning High Honors (awarded to the top 30% of selected students). Lydia was a member of the soccer team with Scholar-Athlete honors for three seasons, Varsity member of the track & field team with Scholar-Athlete honors all four seasons, Suburban Scholastic Council All-Star Award in outdoor track, APHS Coach Aldi Athleticism, Leadership, Dedication and Integrity Award, qualifier for NY State Outdoor Championships in the 100m and 200m, APHS outdoor record holder in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay, APHS Most Outstanding Track Performer Award, indoor record holder in the 55m, 400m, 4x200m, 4x400m, and sprint medley relays, qualifier for  NY State Indoor Championships in the 55m, third place in the NY State Intersectional Relay, Penn Relays Wheel 4x400m, Times Union High School Track & Field All Star, Second Team Suburban Scholastic Council All-Star, APHS Most Outstanding Sprinter, APHS Most Outstanding Scholar Athlete, and APHS Rising Star Award. Lydia’s community service includes Averill Park Student-Athlete Advisory Council, Secretary and co-founder of the APHS Science Club. Camper in Leadership Training and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program participant at Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks, Music Ministries, Child Nurture Ministries, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and Audio/Visual Ministries at Brunswick Church.

The other members of the CDSWOY Class of 2020: 

• Liz Brady, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• MacKenzie Brown, Rensselaer HS
• Amelia Canetto, Taconic Hills HS
• Morgan Fish, Fort Edward HS
• Megan Flynn, The Sage Colleges
• Rachel Hunsicker, Lake George HS
• Brytney Moore, Northville HS
• Brooke Pickett, Stillwater HS
• Makenzie Terrell, Middleburgh HS
• Lauren Willis, South Glens Falls HS
• Rachel Wnuk, Galway HS

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AUSTIN, TX — Chris Plonsky of the University of Texas, one of the leading administrators in collegiate athletics and a past president of three national organizations, will serve as a virtual Guest Speaker for the first Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event. The event will be held on Tuesday, August 18 at The Desmond Hotel Albany at 6 p.m.

Due to current conditions, the event will be limited in attendance to award recipients and two guests. But the event will be broadcast with a live video. Individuals who register for the live video by August 12 will receive a complimentary mailed copy of the 2020 CDSWOY Awards Event Program, a 32-page publication that includes exclusive features written by sports staff members of The Daily Gazette. A drawing will be held from all video registrants and one lucky winner will receive a personal portrait photography package from Lauren Hull Photography.
Plonsky has worked in college athletics since 1976 and is in her 32nd year at The University of Texas. She is Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Chief of Staff and is UT’s Senior Woman Administrator for Big 12 Conference and NCAA governance.

Plonsky is a USA Basketball board member, a USOC Collegiate Advisory Council member and an emeritus board member of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame. She is past president of NACDA, NACMA and Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA). She is a past member of the NACDA Board, the LEAD1 board (formerly Division 1AD Association) and has served NCAA committees on Academic Performance, Women’s Basketball Competition and NCAA Commercialization activities. She chaired the NCAA Division I Management Council in 2003.

“I am so pleased that Chris Plonsky will serve as our Guest Speaker for the first Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event,” stated Eric McDowell, President of CDSWOY. “I’ve known and followed her from her start in athletic communications, through her years at the Big East and at the University of Texas. She is one of the most respected collegiate athletic administrators in the country. Her words of wisdom from her experiences, including serving as President of NACDA and also the Women’s Leaders in College Sports organization, will serve as a guiding light to our honorees. I truly thank her for her time and support of CDSWOY.”

Plonsky supervises staff leaders in student services (academics, career/leadership/personal development), equipment, compliance/risk management and sports medicine/health and wellness/strength performance. The latter area also includes staff experts in nutrition, behavioral health and applied sports science.

At Texas, she was women’s athletics director from April 2001-December 2017. From 1993-2017, she also supervised revenue areas in sponsorship, marketing, licensing and television. She worked in communications/media relations at Iowa State University (1979-81), Texas (1982-86) and The BIG EAST Conference (1986-90). After three years in administration at The BIG EAST as associate commissioner (1990-93), she returned to Texas in October 1993.

Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Greensburg, Pa., and northeast Ohio, Plonsky earned a B.S. Journalism degree in 1979 at Kent State University, where she was a three-year basketball student-athlete, undergraduate KSU athletics media relations assistant and editor of The Daily Kent Stater.

In Austin, Plonsky is a member of many University campus committees and serves as a volunteer on the University Federal Credit Union supervisory committee.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event will recognize 10 high school and three college female student-athletes for outstanding academics, athletics and community service.

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SCHENECTADY, NY — The Capital District Sports Women of the Year, Inc. has announced that the inaugural CDSWOY Awards Event will take place at The Desmond Hotel Albany, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Due to the coronavirus Phase 4 stage in the Capital District of The State of New York, the event will be limited to the award winners and their parents in attendance and not the general public. Individuals will feature social distancing and masks at the facility. However, the event will feature a live web stream video at CDSWOY.COM beginning at 5:45 p.m.

The Awards Event will feature the presentations of awards to 10 high school honorees and three college honorees. Each student will be honored for outstanding academic performance, excellent athletic success, and remarkable service to our community. The event will culminate with the announcement of the Grand Scholastic Sports Woman of the Year and Grand Collegiate Sports Woman of the Year. Selections from numerous nominees were made by members of the Capital District media at a private luncheon.

“I am thrilled that our first-ever Awards Event will be held in August,” said Eric McDowell, President of the Capital District Sports Women of the Year, Inc. “While we will have the awards recipients and their parents on site, we will also feature a live video for all other family members, teammates and other friends to watch these ladies receive their well-deserved honors. We thank The Desmond Hotel Albany for providing us the opportunity in these trying times.”

The 2020 Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event was originally scheduled to take place on May 12, but that was postponed due to the coronavirus.

For questions about this event or other information, email at cdswoy@gmail.com or call President Eric McDowell at 518-588-8016.

SCHENECTADY, NY – Amelia Canetto, a senior at Taconic Hills High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

Amelia, who competes in field hockey and track & field, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala scheduled for May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

Academically, Amelia is a scholar-athlete and earned High Honor Roll recognition. She also is a member of the National Honor Society. She sailed the Caribbean to do marine biology research and received scuba certification. Amelia has been part of the University at Albany Science Research Program for three years.

On the track, Amelia has set new records at Taconic Hills in the 100 meters, 200m, 400m and also joined her teammates with new records in the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800. She was the team’s Most Valuable Player in 10th and 11th grade. She competed at the state championship level in the 400m, finishing third, and in the 200m, finishing eighth. She competed in the USATF National Junior Olympics in the 200m, 400m and triple jump. Amelia was the Most Improved Player honoree in 11th grade and scored 24 goals in her junior year. In her senior season, she was the captain and MVP and scored 21 goals while earning first team all-star honors.

Amelia’s community service includes volunteering at the Roe Jan Library at the circulation desk, and at the Roe Jan Food Pantry picking up and delivering donations. She volunteered her time at the library’s kid booth at a local farmer’s market. Amelia has worked as a camp counselor for elementary grade level kids, and organized hikes, arts and crafts, and sports activities. She has served as a Girl Scout and reached cadet level.

CDSWOY announced a total of 10 scholastic and three collegiate award recipients since March 10.

Testimonials:

“Amelia is a very cooperative and respectful young lady. As her teacher in Algebra 2 Common Core and her Varsity Field Hockey Coach, I have been able to observe Amelia’s strengths and successes as a student and athlete. She is a work horse, wants to improve, and holds high expectations for herself. Amelia is a quiet, humble leader that strives to be a good role model. She is a remarkable young lady that will be missed in our classrooms and athletic fields next year. She is driven to be a success!”

— Angela Webster, Athletic Director/Field Hockey Coach

“As Amelia’s coach I have had the opportunity to witness an exceptional work ethic and competitive spirit. She trains and competes during the winter and summer in USATF meets and plays field hockey in the fall. A well-rounded young person, Amelia maintains a challenging academic schedule, volunteers at the local library and still finds time for hunting and fishing with her dad. She is fun to work with and a joy to watch compete. Pleasant and cheerful, she is a positive addition to any group.”

— Paula A. Voight-Jause, Girls Track Coach

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SCHENECTADY, NY – Megan Flynn, a senior at The Sage Colleges, has been named as one of the three collegiate award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

Megan, a native of Hoosick Falls, NY who competes in basketball, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student-athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

Megan’s academic achievements include the Empire 8 President’s List, Sage Athletic Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Sigma Delta Beta Honor Society, Sage Select Leadership Development Group, and Dean’s List for all seven semesters including the Fall of 2019 (she completed her undergraduate degree early). She also earned Skyline Conference Scholar-Athlete recognition during her career. In March, Megan was named to the 2019-2020 Academic All-America NCAA Division III Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Her First Team selection to the Academic All-District Team earned her consideration for the All-America honor. She became the first Sage basketball player honored with the Academic All-America award and just the ninth Sage student-athlete to achieve this feat. A graduate student at Sage working on her MBA degree, Megan achieved a 3.99 grade point average as an undergraduate, while currently boasting a 4.0 as a graduate student.

On the court, Megan earned numerous honors in her final season. She was selected to the 2019-2020 D3hoops.com All-East Team, the Empire 8 Women’s Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team, a pair of Empire 8 Player of the Week citations and a selection to the Empire 8 Women’s Basketball First Team. She was also nominated for the Josten’s Trophy. A team captain this past season, she wrapped up her career with 877 points, 684 rebounds, 44 blocked shots and a 51.9% field goal percentage in 86 appearances. She is the program’s 12th all-time leading scorer while standing fifth in career rebounds and tied for eighth in blocked shots. Megan was a 27-game starter this year adding 13.6 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per contest, both team highs. The Gators advanced to the championship game for the first time, earning the Empire 8’s runner-up trophy after an overall record of 15-12 with a 10-4 record in conference play.

Megan’s community service includes Chomper’s Reading Program (named after the school mascot), Humane Society, Halloween 5K, Centennial 5K, Sage Engaged, Sage SAAC Toys for Tots, Thanksgiving food drives, Make-a-Wish Santa Letters, MS Walk, and the Breast Cancer Walk.

CDSWOY will announce the final student-athlete on April 7.

Testimonials:

“I have known Megan for the last four years in a variety of roles at Sage as a SAAC member, women’s basketball team member and student-athlete. In her role as a team member, she always maintains a team first mentality, doing what she could to assure that the team accomplished their goals while maintaining top notch academic work. Megan has always portrayed herself as responsible, dependable, and punctual, with a top-notch work ethic! She is a focused individual with specific career objectives and the determination to ‘finish what she starts,’ as she recently completed her bachelor’s degree a semester early.”

— Sandy Augstein-Collins, Director of Athletics

“Megan has been an unwavering leader of our women’s basketball program since she stepped onto campus. Her ability to push herself while leading her teammates to match her drive for excellence is unparalleled. She also leads by example in the classroom and in the community. Her character and humility radiate through everything she accomplishes. Megan has implanted herself into various activities and leadership roles around The Sage College campus and in the Greater Albany area. Wherever she finds a cause, her passion ignites into genuinely wanting to help and immediately takes action to become involved in any way she is able. When choosing a student-athlete that best represents what a Division III student-athlete stands for, I look no further than Megan.”

— Allison Coleman, Head Women’s Basketball Coach/Assistant Athletic Director

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SCHENECTADY, NY – Brooke Pickett, a senior at Stillwater High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

Brooke, who competes in soccer, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student-athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

Brooke’s academic achievements include the Principal’s List, the National Honor Society, Link Crew, and the Varsity Club. She also serves in the Student Government at Stillwater High School.

Brooke closed out her high school soccer career ranked fifth in the New York State record book with 208 career goals, and ninth for single season goals with 58. She was a three-time captain and received numerous player of the year honors in 2019 including Wasaren League Offensive Player of the Year (third time in her career), Times Union 1st Team and POY (third time), Class C Section 2 (third time), and Class C NYS (second time). Brooke helped lead Stillwater to the Wasaren League Championship, the Class C Section 2 title, the Class C Regional Championship and the Class C New York State Championship last fall. In her career, Stillwater won three league championships, three Class C Section 2 titles and three Class C Regional championships.

Community service work by Brooke includes the New Country Toyota Food Drive, Wreaths Across America, a book fair, assisting in the Elementary Classrooms during the summer, Stillwater Give Back Day and the LLS Student of the Year Fundraiser.

CDSWOY will announce the final collegiate student-athlete on April 2 and the final scholastic student-athlete on April 7.

Testimonials:

“As an Athletic Director, it has been an amazing experience watching Brooke develop through athletics and academics throughout the course of her high school career. She is a very motivated student who creates goals for herself and works hard to achieve those goals. Throughout her high school years she has taken on many additional roles not only as a student, but as an athlete and member of the community. Through hard work and dedication, she has accomplished many of the goals she created for herself.

Brooke has had a positive and profound impact upon her peers and teammates at Stillwater. Brooke ranks as one of the top students and top athletes with whom I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career as a coach, teacher, and Athletic Director.”

— Michael Kinney, Director of Athletics

“With a tremendous inner drive, Brooke continuously challenges herself and strives to meet the goals she has set for herself both within the classroom and on the athletic field. Brooke has been far beyond the ideal student-athlete. She has engaged herself in a challenging course load all while being actively involved in the community and interscholastic sports. Brooke demonstrates intelligence, a tremendous work ethic in school, on the athletic fields and within her community, a caring attitude and the ability to work well with others. The great qualities she possesses will lead her to continue her success as a college student as well as in the career path she wishes to pursue.”

— Christine Ihnatolya, Girls Soccer Coach/Physical Education Instructor

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SCHENECTADY, NY – MacKenzie Brown, a senior at Rensselaer High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

MacKenzie, who competes in soccer, basketball and track & field, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student-athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

MacKenzie has received numerous academic awards at Rensselaer High School. These include the Empire Girls State Award, NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) American Citizenship Award, HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) Representative Award, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Excellence in American History Award, SAANYS (School Administrators Association of New York State) Region 6 Leadership Award, Youth to Youth International Award, Top Student HVCC Psychology, Academic Excellence in Physics and the Iron Woman Award.

Athletically, MacKenzie received the Basketball Scholar Athlete Award, was an AAU Junior Olympics participant, received the Sportsmanship Award, was a High School Heisman Scholarship winner and an NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete.

MacKenzie’s community service includes the following: assisting as an organizer for a youth summit through the Troy Drug Free Community Coalition, volunteer for collecting clothes and Jeans for Teens through Circles of Mercy, Red Cross Blood Drive, Rensselaer Christmas in the City, Trunk or Treat through RADAR, and Kiwanis Club for the Community Pancake Breakfast. She also is a volunteer coach for youth soccer.

CDSWOY will announce the next student-athlete on April 1 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 7.

Testimonials:

“MacKenzie is a student-athlete of the highest character and a leader on and off the field. She has been a captain in three sports and is a great leader and role model for other students in our district. She excels in the classroom as well as a model of what a student-athlete truly means. MacKenzie works hard to maintain a 95 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is serving an internship with the local court system and plans to attend law school. In our community, she has spent time as a volunteer coach for local organizations as well as giving her time to volunteer with several local charities. MacKenzie’s selflessness is one of her strongest and most admirable qualities.”

— William Spath, Director of Athletics

“MacKenzie was a starter and captain on the girls varsity soccer team where her leadership, dedication and hard work were huge attributes to our success and growth throughout the season. She was always willing to give more than what was expected of her. She also excels in the classroom where she is second in her class. She spent several days a week doing an internship at Albany Law School and now is interning at Rensselaer City Court. MacKenzie’s dedication both on the field and in the classroom speaks volumes of her dedication and hard work ethic as both an athlete and student.”

— Kristin Alonzo, Girls Soccer Coach

“MacKenzie has always been dependable, enthusiastic and a leader who is always searching for ways to make herself and those around her better. I believe that her self-discipline and hard work will carry over to life on a college campus and will serve her well as a student-athlete. As an educator and a Veteran of the Marine Corps, I feel that she possesses outstanding characteristics of citizen and leadership.”

— Joel Preston, Former Girls Track & Field Coach/Head Football Coach

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SCHENECTADY, NY – Lauren Willis, a junior at South Glens Falls High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

Lauren, who competes in field hockey, lacrosse and bowling, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

Academically, Lauren has earned High Honor/Honor Roll recognition since 2017. She also is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and National Honors Society.  
Athletically, Lauren was named the Most Valuable Player for the field hockey team in three seasons, 2017-19. She also was a scholar-athlete in field hockey in those three years. For the past three seasons, Lauren was named to the Section 2 Foothills Field Hockey All-Star First Team. He was a Section 2 All State honoree in helping to lead South Glens Falls field hockey team to the Sectional Finals. Lauren has been a lacrosse scholar-athlete since 2017 and was named to the Foothills Lacrosse Honorable Mention team in 2019. She also earned scholar-athlete honors in bowling in 2018.

Lauren’s community service includes the following: Salvation Army bell ringer, volunteer for the Ben Osborn Fund (getting gifts and wrapping them for children in need at Christmas time), South Glens Falls Marathon Dance participant, field hockey intramural/youth coach for girls age five and up, ice hockey youth coach, and landscaping for the Double H Ranch.

CDSWOY will announce the next student-athlete on March 31 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 7.

Testimonials:

“Lauren is an extremely dedicated young woman who is not afraid to put in the work and step outside the norm to be the best she possibly can be. Lauren’s positive attitude is contagious and invigorates her teammates and coaches. Academics are very important to her as can be seen by her 94.18 GPA. It’s nearly impossible to look through her transcripts and find a teacher that hasn’t stated she’s a pleasure to have in class, strives to do her best, or displays a positive attitude.”

— Matt Griep, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics

“Lauren is a ‘natural’ leader. This characteristic was very much evident during her freshman year on the varsity team. With a strong, intimidating group of seniors, Lauren did not hesitate to speak up when needed, whether she was asked to or not. I knew that she would be capable of handling the leadership role and has been elected team captain every year thereafter. She works extremely hard to balance her high academic standards and extracurricular activities. Lauren is also active in her community, volunteering her time to help others.”

— Mary Ponda, Physical Education/Health Teacher/Field Hockey Coach

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SCHENECTADY, NY – Liz Brady, a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named as one of the three collegiate award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

Liz, a lacrosse player from Bradford, MA, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

Academically, Liz posted a 3.55 GPA for the fall semester, and a 3.10 Cum in Biomedical Engineering. She has served as an R&D Quality Intern at Alexion Pharmaceuticals in Boston, MA. Liz serves as a mentor for Women at Rensselaer Peer Mentoring Program, is a two-year member of SAAC (the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and has also been an invaluable work-study student for the RPI Athletics Communications department.

Athletically, Liz broke the school record for assists in a season in 2019 after overcoming ACL surgery. She recorded 36 assists that spring. Liz was a two-time Liberty League Honor Roll selection. 

Community service for Liz includes the following: Colleges Against Cancer, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross Blood Drive, Things of My Very Own, reading to the Pre-K and elementary school students at Troy School 14 and Latham Ridge Elementary School, SAAC’s “Not So Scary Kids Day,” Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, Fresh Check Day and the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic.

CDSWOY will announce the next student-athlete on March 26 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 7.

Testimonials:

“Liz is a special person who is a silent leader. During her junior year, Liz suffered a major setback as she tore her ACL and missed a season of competition while having surgery and rehabbing her injury. Despite this setback, Liz remained a committed teammate and attended all practices, lifting sessions, scouting meetings, and was a positive voice from the sideline. After returning this past spring (2019), she scored nine goals and had a record setting 36 assists to lead the team and finish second in points. I have had the pleasure of working directly with Liz the past two years as she is a valued member of our Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She is an outstanding citizen of the institute, someone who is ready to change the world, who excels in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.”

— Lee McElroy, Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics

“While at RPI, Liz has found a way to contribute to her community, lead her peers, and represent Rensselaer proudly. What sets Liz apart academically, in my belief, is the rigor of study that she is pursuing, Biomedical Engineering. In addition to her time as a a full-time student, with lab time, groups sessions and multiple engineering courses per semester, Liz is also a 40-hour student-athlete. In addition to her academic and athletic responsibilities, Liz engages in the RPI and greater Capital District communities. She is an excellent candidate for this award.”

— Leslie DeLano, Women’s Lacrosse Coach

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SCHENECTADY, NY – Lydia Ware, a senior at Averill Park High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2020 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year.

Lydia, who competes in soccer and track & field, will be recognized at the first-ever Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets for the Gala will go on sale on Monday, April 13 at proctors.org and at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics and community service. More information is provided at the website, cdswoy.com.

Academically, Lydia is Valedictorian of the APHS class of 2020 and a member of the National Honor Society. Other honors include recognition as a National Merit Scholarship Corporation Finalist, recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award, New York State Capital District Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit, CASDA Capital Region Scholar, NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and Averill Park High School Academic Excellence Awards for thirteen courses over the span of her freshman through junior years. Lydia received Rensselaer County Legislature Commendation in her freshman, sophomore and junior years, which is awarded to the top five students per class in Averill Park High School. Lydia participated in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, where she also earned High Honors (awarded to the top 30% of selected students).

Lydia’s athletic highlights include: Varsity member of the soccer team with Scholar-Athlete honors for three seasons, Brunswick Soccer Club age-level travel team from 2011-19, Varsity member of the track & field team with Scholar-Athlete honors all four seasons, Suburban Scholastic Council All-Star Award in outdoor track, APHS Coach Aldi Athleticism, Leadership, Dedication and Integrity Award, qualifier for New York State Outdoor Championships in the 100m and 200m, APHS outdoor record holder in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay, APHS Most Outstanding Track Performer Award, indoor record holder in the 55m, 400m, 4x200m, 4x400m, and sprint medley relays, qualifier for  New York State Indoor Championships in the 55m, third place in the NY State Intersectional Relay, Penn Relays Wheel 4x400m, Times Union High School Track & Field All Star, Second Team Suburban Scholastic Council All-Star, APHS Most Outstanding Sprinter, APHS Most Outstanding Scholar Athlete, and APHS Rising Star Award.

Lydia’s community service includes the following: Averill Park Student-Athlete Advisory Council (nominated by coach to serve on the committee promoting sportsmanship, leadership, and community service in APHS Athletics). Secretary and co-founder of the APHS Science Club. Camper in Leadership Training (CILT) and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program participant at Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks. Music Ministries, Child Nurture Ministries, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and Audio/Visual Ministries at Brunswick Church.

CDSWOY will announce the next student-athlete on March 25 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 7.

Testimonials:

“Lydia is one of those few student-athletes that you come across that just has it all. She is a tremendous student, talented athlete, and serves her school, community, and church in a variety of ways. I believe that Lydia is the definition of the Capital District Sports Women of the Year. I honestly do not know how she does so much with such little free time yet continues to excel at all that she does.”

— Mark Bubniak, Athletic Director

“Lydia plans to compete at the college level in track & field and study medicine. Her work ethic and focus will allow her to be successful both athletically and academically at the next level. She is a positive and strong role model for younger teammates and classmates and is a tremendous help to our coaching staff.”

— Zach Gobel, Head Football Coach, Head Indoor Track & Field Coach

“Beyond being one of the best sprinters ever at Averill Park, I can honestly say that she is a model citizen that goes above and beyond for her teammates and coaches. She is the valedictorian of her class while taking many college level and advanced placement courses. She excels in time management and is also able to balance all her passions. At all times I have found Lydia to be self-motivated, reliable, hard-working, dedicated, honest and courteous.”

— Nathan Luskin, Varsity Girls Outdoor Track & Field Coach, Varsity Girls Soccer Coach

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