SCHENECTADY, NY — Ariana Dingley, a senior from Lansingburgh High School, and Katie Pascale, a senior from the University at Albany, received Grand honors at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event held at the GE Theatre at Proctors on Monday evening, August 12, 2024.

Ariana was named the Grand Scholastic Woman of the Year and Katie was named the Grand Collegiate Woman of the Year. The event also honored 11 other female student-athletes from the region, who made up the 2024 Class of the Capital District Sports Women of the Year. CDSWOY honors excellence in academics, athletics and community service.

The virtual guest speaker was Lisa Bluder, the recently retired women’s basketball coach at the University of Iowa. Entertainment was provided by Angelina Valente.

CDSWOY now features a total of 64 student-athletes who have been awarded since the program’s inception in 2020.

Academically, Ariana was the Valedictorian of the Class of 2024 at Lansingburgh with a 99+ average. She earned High Honor Roll recognition in each marking period in grades seven through 12 and is a member of the National Honor Society. Ariana received the Rensselaer Medal for outstanding academic achievement in mathematics and science. She also was awarded the Certificate of Merit, given by the new York State Capital District Society of Engineers. Ariana performed at the All-County Band Music Festival.

Athletically, Ariana was a Colonial Council Co-Defensive Girls Soccer Player of the Year and Team Most Valuable Player during her career. She was a two-time First Team Section 2 Class B Girls Soccer All-Star. She was a two-time Colonial Council First Team All-Star in bowling, and served as a captain in all three sports, bowling, soccer and softball.

Ariana’s community service includes assisting nursing home residents at Heritage House. She was a volunteer for Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club and assisted with numerous fund raisers and events and placing flags on headstones for the Lansingburgh Veteran’s club. Ariana was the treasurer of her class in all four years of high school, and her activities included Odyssey of the Mind, SADD Club, and working on school musicals.

Academically, Katie had a 3.64 GPA and graduated with a degree in Accounting and a minor in Business. She was a three-time America East All-Academic Team honoree and was a two-time America East Women’s Lacrosse Spring Scholar-Athlete. She was the SUNY Women’s Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was selected to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team and the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll that season. Katie was a two-time America East Honor Roll honoree and was selected to the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Athletically, Katie was on the 2024 Tewaaraton Award Watch List and was a 2024 Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-America Honorable Mention and Preseason All-America Honorable Mention honoree. She was a two-time America East Midfielder of the Year (2023 and 2024) and a two-time Inside Lacrosse All-America Honorable Mention selection. Katie was a two-time IWLCA All-Region Second Team selection as well as a 2022 IWLCA All-Region First Team selection. In 2023, she made All-ECAC and was the America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player. A three-time America East All-Conference First Team performer, she made the America East All-Tournament Team twice. During her career she also had received honors as a pre-season offensive player of the year, rookie of the year, six-time player of the week, and five-time rookie of the week. Katie holds UAlbany career records in points, assists, draw controls and single season draw controls and single game points. She holds the America East tournament record for single game points. She suffered a major knee injury that caused her to miss most of the final five games of the 2024 season. Before that injury, she ranked ninth among NCAA Division I players in points per game and was fourth among all active Division I players in career assists and career assists per game. She is the first woman in UAlbany lacrosse history, and third overall including men’s lacrosse, to record 300 points in a career. She is the fifth women’s lacrosse player and seventh overall in America East to record that mark. Katie suffered a major head injury playing basketball in high school that required her to be resuscitated, and the injury nearly ended her athletics career.

Katie’s community service includes assisting in cleaning up Madison Park, youth sessions with CityLax, a Communities Day Clinic, Women’s Sports Day, and Gift of Life. She had worked with the Tunnel of Towers Foundation and volunteers as a youth coach.

Here are the other members of the CDSWOY Class of 2024 who were honored at the Awards Gala:

Kate Ackerman, Maple Hill High School
Leonni Griffin, Shaker High School
Taylor Holohan, Averill Park High School
Carly King, Guilderland High School
Amber Kolpakas, Galway High School
Cassidy McClement, Waterford-Halfmoon High School
Isabella Miller, Fonda-Fultonville High School
MacKenna Roberson, Hoosick Falls High School
Talia Spenziero, Siena College
Amy Stevens, Russell Sage College
Kennedy Swedick, The Albany Academies

ALBANY, NY – The 2024 Capital District Sports Women of the Year Women’s Golf Classic will take place on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Van Patten Golf Club at 12 p.m.

The event will feature registration at 11:30 a.m. and will cost $600 per foursome. Individuals can join a foursome with a cost of $150.

Van Patten Golf Club is located at 924 Main Street in Clifton Park, NY.

The entry fee includes cart & green fees, lunch at the turn, a buffet dinner, a CDSWOY gift at Registration, and contests on the course.

“I am thrilled to announce our new golf tournament,” said Eric McDowell, President of CDSWOY. “We look forward to hosting women golfers from our region to support our program that honors high school and college female student-athletes for their dedication to academics, athletics and community service. Van Patten is a fabulous venue, providing a challenging and enjoyable layout, and recent renovations have made it even better. I have played in a league there for over 20 years and I am so excited that Van Patten will be the home course for our new venture.”

To sign up for the tournament, go to cdswoy.com/golf-classic-sign-up/.

The 2025 CDSWOY Awards Gala will take place on August 4, 2025 at the GE Theater at Proctors at 7:00 p.m. 

ALBANY, NY — Angelina Valente, a multi-award-winning artist, will be the guest performer for the 2024 Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala at the GE Theatre at Proctors on August 12, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Angelina is a singer-songwriter from Saratoga Springs who creates music that moves you. With songs that feel like a warm summer breeze, Angelina’s uninhibited voice and sincere lyrics draw you in and leave you feeling restored and inspired. Her unique blend of indie folk features piano, ukulele, and genuine storytelling influenced by her small-town roots and love of nature.

In the five years she has been performing, Angelina is now selling out shows around the Capital Region. She has released one full length album, two EP’s and three singles, and has recorded at the esteemed Village Studios in Los Angeles, as well as the Atlantic Records Studio in New York City. After the release of her most recent album “Sing,” in November 2023, Angelina has won the distinguished awards for Songwriter of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year for the New York Capital Region. These awards were presented to her at the Sixth Annual Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards on April 21, 2024 at Proctors.

“Angelina Valente is the most decorated local artist this year,” said Eric McDowell, President of CDSWOY. “We are very pleased that she will entertain our recipients and audience at our 2024 Awards Gala. Like our recipients, Angelina has numerous talents and has already achieved so much. She has a bright future as well.”

Tickets are on sale now at atproctors.org.

ALBANY, NY – Carly King, a senior at Guilderland High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Carly, who competes in field hockey, indoor track and lacrosse, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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, Carly served as the Co-Vice President of the National Honor Society and was a scholar-athlete for all four years at Guilderland. She was a member of the Connect 4 Cancer Club and the Environmental Club. Carly was a member of the school orchestra and chorus all four years and received an AP Scholar Award.

Athletically, Carly made the New York Field Hockey All-State Team last fall, one of five students honored from Section 2. She was also a First Team Suburban Council All Star and Section 2 Class A Champion. As captain of the Guilderland field hockey team, Carly helped lead the squad to the best record in school history in 2023. The team was made the New York State Elite 8 and played in the 3 Max Field Hockey High School Invitationals in Philadelphia. The top teams in the country are invited to this tournament. She competed in field hockey, indoor track and lacrosse all three years at Guilderland, and competed on the junior varsity programs in all three sports one year. Carly received the 12 Season Award, a prestigious award given to Guilderland students who participate in 12 total seasons from 9^th grade through 12^th grade.

Carly’s community service includes serving as the lead coach for the Guilderland Youth Field Hockey Program. She volunteers for all practices, camps and play days offering a free opportunity for any field hockey player in Guilderland to improve, develop and try field hockey. Carly helped with a grant through the Albany County Legislators Office to receive money to purchase equipment for the Guilderland Youth Field Hockey Program. This grant has allowed the program to grow while offering free equipment to any player who attends clinics, camps and practices. Carly also serves as an NHS Tutor and volunteers at Red Cross Blood Drives.

Carly becomes the first Guilderland High School student-athlete to be selected by CDSWOY in the organization’s five-year history.

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event.

ALBANY, NY – Amy Stevens, a graduate student at Russell Sage College, has been named as one of the three collegiate award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Amy, who competes in field hockey, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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, Amy is pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy at Russell Sage. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Lock Haven University in 2023.

Athletically, Amy earned second-team All-American honors from the NFHCA in the 2023 season. She became the program’s first All-American and received first-team All-Region honors from the NFHCA. Amy was voted the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Empire 8 honors. She was selected the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week on October 23. Amy led the E8 in points with 49 and in assists with 20. She established RSC single-season records in both of those categories and set the program record for goals in a game with four goals vs. Elmira. She also registered eight points in that contest against Elmira. On the season, Amy started all 16 games, finished with nine assists, and recorded 11 multi-point games with scoring two or more goals in six games. She led the Empire 8 with an average of 3.06 points per game and 1.25 goals per game and both marks ranked sixth in NCAA Division III.

Amy participated in numerous Russell Sage College athletic department-wide community service events. This includes her volunteer work with Making Strides in Albany, the Breast Cancer Walk, and Adopt a Family.

Amy becomes the third Russell Sage College student-athlete to be selected by CDSWOY in the organization’s five-year history. She joins Halley Klosterman (2021) and Megan Flynn (2020).

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The final recipient will be announced on July 19.

ALBANY, NY – Kate Ackerman, a senior at Maple Hill High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Kate, who competes in bowling, cross country and softball, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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.

Kate, an honor roll student who has received scholar-athlete recognition, was in the top 10 of her senior class and has been on the principal’s list in Grades 9-12.

Athletically, Kate has made the Patroon Conference Bowling All-Star Team since 7^th grade. For the past two seasons, she was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and was Maple Hill’s Most Valuable Bowler. This past season, Kate recorded a 211 average, a 300 high game and a high of 760 for a high series. She earned a spot on the Section 2 Composite Team that went to the state tournament in March, and thus became the first bowler in Maple Hill history to make it to the state tournament. At that tournament, she finished first for girls’ composite teams for a high series with a total of 1,487, which earned the First Place Medal. She also averaged 248 pins over six games in the tourney, 37 pins above her average going into the day. Her 1,487 total earned a place in the state record book and a third place slot for a three game high series. Kate the Section 2 Sportsmanship Award at the tourney and helped lead the team to a third-place finish. At the United States High School Bowling National Championship, held in June in Lancaster, PA, Kate placed 37th with an average score of 196 over seven games. In June, Kate was selected for the 2023-24 All-USA TODAY HSSA Girls Bowling Team and is a nominee for National Girls Bowler of the Year. USA Today will reveal the winner in August.

Kate’s community service includes service in the recycling club and donating to Maple Hill’s blood drives. She donated books to several libraries, and donated dresses and formal heels to Cinderella’s Closet. Kate works for the Schodack Town Camp, working with children in the community, and donates her time at the East Greenbush Bowling Center. Maple Hill High School administrators and teachers selected Kate to serve as a mentor to middle school students who shadow her in the high school to see what it is like to be a successful high school student.

Kate becomes the fourth student-athlete from Maple Hill High School to be selected by CDSWOY. Previous recipients include Rachael Frazier (2023), Rebecca Hall (2022) and Jenna Hoffman (2021).

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The next recipient will be announced on July 17.

ALBANY, NY – Cassidy McClement, a senior at Waterford-Halfmoon High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Cassidy, who competes in soccer, indoor track and outdoor track & field, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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, Cassidy was the Valedictorian of her class at Waterford-Halfmoon. She is a President of the National Honor Society and was the Treasurer for the Class of 2024. Cassidy was in the top 10 of her class in all four years of high school.

Athletically, Cassidy was a three-time individual sectional champion in outdoor track. She is the school record holder in the 100, 200, long jump and the 4×1. She was a member of the back-to-back Class C Girls Soccer State Championship teams at Waterford-Halfmoon and earned Wasaren League All Star honors in soccer. She was a All-League First Team soccer selection and was a Third Team All State honoree. Cassidy served as captain of the Waterford-Halfmoon soccer team in her senior year.

Cassidy’s community service includes volunteering for the food drives for the Town of Waterford. She also volunteers for the town’s Dragon Boat Event, which benefits To Life, a cancer charity. She works the blood drives at the school through the American Red Cross.

Cassidy becomes the second student-athlete from Waterford-Halfmoon High School to be selected by CDSWOY. Addyson Galuski was honored in 2023.

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The next recipient will be announced on July 15.

ALBANY, NY – Leonni Griffin, a senior at Shaker High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Leonni, who competes in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track & field, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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, Leonni had a 95 GPA while excelling in rigorous coursework that included 14 college credits from the State of New York. She is an active member in the Latin Club and the Business Club. She is expected to receive a New York State Advanced Regents Diploma. Leonni has been on the high honor roll and honor roll during her time at Shaker. She a four-time recipient of the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award.

Athletically, Leonni was the cross country team MVP for three years. She has broken several school records on the track, including the 300m, 600m, 800m and 20m hurdles as well as SMR and the 4×800. She has received Indoor Track and Outdoor Track Team MVP honors for five years. Leonni is the state champion for the 600m indoor race and was second in the Federation in 2024. She also was fourth in the state for the outdoor 800m twice in her career. She was invited to the prestigious Millrose Games two straight seasons, in the 4×800 in 2023 and 600m in 2024 (she ranked 10^th in the country in the 600m this past season). Her time of 1:33.06 holds the 600m record in Section 2 and she is a three-time Track & Field All-American (Nike, New Balance, AAU and Junior Olympics). Leonni has been a member of the Albany Allycats travel soccer club for eight years and has played semi-professional soccer for the New York Shockers for two years.

Leonni’s community service includes volunteering for the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club, where she helps work the water stop at a marathon each year. She serves as a mentor, role model and source of inspiration for younger runners and volunteers her time supporting the youth cross country and track community programs.

Leonni becomes the first student-athlete from Shaker High School to be selected by CDSWOY.

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The next recipient will be announced on July 12.

ALBANY, NY – Katie Pascale, a senior at the University at Albany, has been named as one of the three collegiate award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Katie, who competes in lacrosse, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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, Katie had a 3.64 GPA and graduated with a degree in Accounting and a minor in Business. She was a three-time America East All-Academic Team honoree and was a two-time America East Women’s Lacrosse Spring Scholar-Athlete. She was the SUNY Women’s Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was selected to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team and the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll that season. Katie was a two-time America East Honor Roll honoree and was selected to the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Athletically, Katie was on the 2024 Tewaaraton Award Watch List and was a 2024 Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-America Honorable Mention and Preseason All-America Honorable Mention honoree. She was a two-time America East Midfielder of the Year (2023 and 2024) and a two-time Inside Lacrosse All-America Honorable Mention selection. Katie was a two-time IWLCA All-Region Second Team selection as well as a 2022 IWLCA All-Region First Team selection. In 2023, she made All-ECAC and was the America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player. A three-time America East All-Conference First Team performer, she made the America East All-Tournament Team twice. During her career she also had received honors as a pre-season offensive player of the year, rookie of the year, six-time player of the week, and five-time rookie of the week. Katie holds UAlbany career records in points, assists, draw controls and single season draw controls and single game points. She holds the America East tournament record for single game points. She suffered a major knee injury that caused her to miss most of the final five games of the 2024 season. Before that injury, she ranked ninth among NCAA Division I players in points per game and was fourth among all active Division I players in career assists and career assists per game. She is the first woman in UAlbany lacrosse history, and third overall including men’s lacrosse, to record 300 points in a career. She is the fifth women’s lacrosse player and seventh overall in America East to record that mark. Katie suffered a major head injury playing basketball in high school that required her to be resuscitated, and the injury nearly ended her athletics career.

Katie’s community service includes assisting in cleaning up Madison Park, youth sessions with CityLax, a Communities Day Clinic, Women’s Sports Day, and Gift of Life. She had worked with the Tunnel of Towers Foundation and volunteers as a youth coach.

Katie becomes the third University at Albany student-athlete to be selected by CDSWOY in the organization’s five-year history. She joins Amanda Chambers (2023) and Katie Falotico (2022).

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The next recipient will be announced on July 10.

ALBANY, NY – Taylor Holohan, a senior at Averill Park High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Taylor, who competes in basketball, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (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, Taylor had an 87.22 GPA and ranked 93^rd in her class. She had a 92 GPA throughout her first three quarters of her senior year and made the Honor Roll.

Athletically, Taylor was a varsity basketball player for five years. She will attend Northeastern University in the fall on a full athletic scholarship. Four of her teams won the Section 2 Championship (there were no sectionals in her freshman year due to the covid pandemic). She was a member of three NYSPHSAA regional championships, and a New York State Class A championship. Taylor was a two-time Section 2 Class A Tournament Most Valuable Player and was a Section 2 Class AA Tournament MVP in her senior season. She was named the MVP of the Averill Park Tip Off Tournament in both her junior and senior seasons. Taylor was the Suburban Council Player of the Year in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and received the Albany Times Union Large School Player of the Year honor in both of those seasons. Taylor was the team’s Most Improved Player as a sophomore and the Team’s Most Outstanding Player in her junior and senior seasons. Also, athletically, she played for an Under Armour sponsored travel team, the New York Havoc, for five years. Out of all players on the 32 Under Armour teams in the league, she was ranked in the top five for points in her sophomore year. For her 2023 season, she was ranked second in blocks per game and third for most productive interior scoring. She was also a McDonald’s All-American Nominee in 2024.

Taylor’s community service includes volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, making meals and baked goods with family for people staying at the facility. Throughout her seasons she volunteered for the Averill Park Youth Basketball program, and she also assisted at a food pantry. Taylor has volunteered to hand out thanksgiving meals with Equinox and works in the track and field events for the Special Olympics when they happen locally.

Taylor becomes the fourth Averill Park student-athlete to be selected by CDSWOY in the organization’s five-year history. She joins Michelina Lombardi (2022), Anna Jankovic (2021) and Lydia Ware (2020). Lombardi and Ware each were also recipients of the Grand Scholastic Woman of the Year Award in their year.

A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The next recipient will be announced on July 8.