BOSTON – The America East Conference presented Elite 18 Awards at the conclusion of each of its six fall championships, which took place over the past several weeks. The program, in its second year, honors student-athletes who exemplify academic excellence.
The Elite 18 Award Program was established by the conference in June 2013 for implementation in the 2014-15 academic year to honor the highest achievement in academics by a student-athlete in each America East sponsored sport.
Three of the fall honorees won America East championships this fall. New Hampshire's Laura Rose Donegan, a senior with a perfect 4.00 GPA in political science, was the women's cross country honoree after leading the Wildcats to their third-straight team title. She also earned NCAA Elite 90 honors after competing at the NCAA Championships in Louisville over the weekend and earning All-America status.
Albany’s Taylor Schwoyer, a junior with a 3.96 GPA while majoring in biology, was the field hockey recipient for the second straight year. She helped lead the Great Danes to their second-consecutive America East crown.
Vermont's Jackson Dayton, a junior with a 3.72 GPA in engineering management, earned the men's soccer award. He earned All-Championship honors as the Catamounts claimed their fifth-ever America East men' soccer championship.
Two other winners were also repeat selections. Hartford’s Katie Connolly, a junior with a perfect 4.00 GPA in psychology, took home the women’s soccer Elite 18 honor while Albany’s Mikala McCauley, a junior with a 3.97 GPA in psychology, was the volleyball recipient.
Maine's Jessie Orach, a senior with a 3.93 GPA in chemical engineering, earned the men's cross country award to round out the fall honorees. He earned first-team All-Conference honors by placing seventh at the America East Championship
Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 Academic Recognition Award Program, the America East Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average competing at the finals site at each of the America East’s 18 team championships.
America East is proud to have one of most comprehensive academic awards programs in the country. In addition to the Elite 18 program, All-Academic teams comprised of student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically are chosen in each of the conference’s 18 sports. Additionally, a Scholar-Athlete, someone who distinguishes himself/herself as the top student-athlete in his/her sport, is awarded. From that group, one male and one female is selected the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The conference also recognizes all student-athletes who achieve at least a 3.0 GPA on its Academic Honor Roll, with those achieving a 3.50 average or better receiving Commissioner’s Honor Roll status. The Presidential Scholar-Athlete award recognizes graduating student-athletes who compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher as an undergraduate student. Finally, the Academic Cup is presented to the institution whose student-athletes post the highest grade-point average during that academic year.
Fall Elite 18 Award Recipients
Katie Connolly, Hartford (Women’s Soccer)
Jackson Dayton, Vermont (Men’s Soccer)
Laura Rose Donegan, New Hampshire (Women's Cross Country)
Jesse Orach, Maine (Men's Cross Country)
Mikala McCauley, Albany (Volleyball)
Taylor Schwoyer, Albany (Field Hockey)