STANDISH, Maine - The 2025 Saint Joseph's College Athletics Senior Awards have been announced.

At the conclusion of each academic year, the Saint Joseph's Department of Athletics comes together to honor the numerous accomplishments achieved by the graduating class and, following an internal nomination and voting process, bestow awards upon deserving individuals for seven distinguished honors: Female Athlete of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Father John Tokaz Award, Neile Nelson Award, Chris Kiernan Award, Male Student-Athlete of the Year, and Female Student-Athlete of the Year. 

The Saint Joseph's Senior Athletic Celebration was hosted at the Stone Barn on campus and catered by the SJC events department on the evening of Monday, May 6th. Alumni '22 and Assistant Director and Associate Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field, Troy Hendricks served as the emcee while Interim Athletic Director Gary Stevens and College President Joe Cassidy delivered opening remarks. Associate Director of Athletics, Sports Medicine Tiffany Miller-Gagnon offered the prayer of invocation. Senior Women's Volleyball / Track and Field Athlete Sarah Joe presented a Student-Athlete Keynote reflecting on the journey of her and her fellow Monks over the last four years. Student Assistant Coach, Men's Soccer Team  and SJC Intramural Sports Supervisor  Chris Theordores also presented on his unique journey within athletics during his four years at Saint Joseph's.

The College inducted 35 senior athletes into the Chi Alpha Sigma honor society during the evening's festivities. In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA. The honoree must also participate in a sport at the varsity intercollegiate level, display strong moral character, achieve senior academic standing - as determined by the certifying institution - and hold a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

SJC Strength & Conditioning Head Coach Jameson Collins also announced that five Saint Joseph's College student-athletes were selected as 2025 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-American Athlete Award recipients.
During the ceremony, student-athletes who were part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) were honored with cords, as well as those who were four-year members of the Leadership Academy. Dr. Christopher Woodside, Head Women's Basketball Coach, presented the Leadership Academy cords. Tiffany Miller Gagnan, Theresa Arsenault, and Angelica Hurley presented the SAAC cords, acknowledging the commitment and leadership demonstrated by these dedicated student-athletes throughout their collegiate careers.
 
Special thanks to: Neile (Joler) Nelson, Brianna Meehan Photography, Hendricks Media, the SJC Events Department, SJC Information Technology, and SJC Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
 

	Female Athlete of the Year: Shauna Clark
	Lydia Dexter: "In her lacrosse career Shauna had 90 goals and 64 assists  for a total of 154 points in only 58 games. She also added 131 ground balls, 71 caused turnovers and 104 draw controls. For those of you that dont know lacrosse these stats may not mean much to you but all you need to know having this type of impact all over the field on both offense and defense is not ordinary and is nothing shy of remarkable. All though impressive, These statistics are enough to make her more than deserving of this award, but her off the field accomplishments are what I am most proud of as her coach.   Recently our athletic director, Gary Stevens asked me a question. He asked "are scorers born or are they made?" In my opinion, scorers are undoubtedly made. Scorers are made through hard work, adversity, determination, a thirst for competition and a willingness to take on new challenges.  Shauna is the epitome of a self made scorer whom I have no doubt will have plenty more goals in life beyond SJC."
	Male Athlete of the Year: Dylan Dickey
	Mike Burleson: "Truly embodies what it means to be a student-athlete and a valued member of the SJC community. Dylan carries a 3.7 GPA and is an elite division 3 track and field athlete who has put in the work both in the classroom and in athletics to be successful. He has also been an active member in the St. Joe's community where he has spent summers working with the grounds crew around campus and also a key player in the game day operations with the sports information department.  He is also incredibly humble and kind. He has taken the time to support his fellow athletes and has taken several athletes under his wings in the last few seasons. This has fostered success and growth of our entire throws group.  Dylan Dickey has thrived as a student-athlete, campus contributor, and academic leader throughout his four years at Saint Joseph's. A record-setting javelin thrower, his impact on campus and in our program extends far beyond his ability to throw. His approach to everything he does with professionalism, pride and care for others has left a lasting impact on our program. "
	Female Neile Nelson Award: Hanna Webster, Women's Volleyball Presented annually to the student-athlete who has set an example by displaying a high level of commitment to his/her team while performing a leadership role within the Saint Joseph's College campus community. Neile was a standout two-sport athlete (soccer, basketball) at Saint Joseph's and garnered 1994 NCAA Maine Woman of the Year and Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades in 1993 and 1994, All-Northeast acclaim in 1992, 1993 and 1994 and All-Conference mention in each of her four years on the soccer field.
	Jon Roberts: "Hanna Webster has taken full advantage of her time here at Saint Joe's.   Hanna has been a multi- sport athlete, A 4 year starter on the volleyball team, and a 2 year captain. A member of the women's basketball team for 3 seasons, and the manager of the Men's basketball team this season.   Hanna has been a 4 year member of Monks Leadership Academy & a Senior Leadership Facilitator, an RA, a Peer Mentor, and an Orientation Leader. She's worked for Athletic Event Staff, Residential Life, and Student Engagement.   She served on SAAC and Interhall, as Class President, and the Student Body President. She's even served on staff hiring and advisory committees and she has literally helped shape the future of the college during her time here."
	Male Neile Nelson Award: Michael Wearne, Baseball Presented annually to the student-athlete who has set an example by displaying a high level of commitment to his/her team while performing a leadership role within the Saint Joseph's College campus community. Neile was a standout two-sport athlete (soccer, basketball) at Saint Joseph's and garnered 1994 NCAA Maine Woman of the Year and Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades in 1993 and 1994, All-Northeast acclaim in 1992, 1993 and 1994 and All-Conference mention in each of her four years on the soccer field.
	Will Sanborn: "Mike Wearne is a great example of what the Neile Nelson Award is all about. Michael embodies commitment, excellence, and selfless leadership. In his four years at Saint Joseph's Mike has served our campus community in so many ways, he has been an outstanding student, and provided amazing leadership through example for his teammates and fellow students. All of this while being one of the nicest people you'd ever meet ...... just like Neile Nelson!"
	Chris Kiernan Award: Lillian Souweive, Women's Alpine Skiing The Chris Kiernan Award is named after the college's first Director of Athletics and men's basketball coach who later also served as the Dean of Students and the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. This award is presented to the student-athlete who has shown a consistent work ethic to develop as both a student and an athlete; who has displayed a strong commitment toward service of team and community and has proven a never quit attitude and the willingness to work through and overcome adversity
	Margot Cosentino: "Lilly exemplifies what it means to be truly dedicated and hardworking. She consistently pushes herself to be the best version of who she can be, and she stands out as one of the most driven individuals I've ever met. Whether she's in the classroom, at one of her many campus jobs, or on the mountain with the team, she brings an unmatched work ethic and a relentless determination that few can rival. Balancing two demanding majors and what feels like a dozen jobs, she somehow manages it all with grace and focus. What makes Lilly even more remarkable is her constant pursuit of growth, not just as an athlete, but as a person and a leader. She actively seeks feedback, always looking for ways to improve herself and better support those around her."
	Father John Tokaz Award: Gary Stevens, Interim Athletic Director Named for a great man who was the College Chaplain for nine years and was an great supporter of athletics during his time at Saint Joseph's, this honor is presented annually to the individual within the college community who has displayed extraordinary support of and assistance to the athletic department mission and to our student-athletes.
	Mike McDevitt: "This year's recipient has definitely displayed extraordinary support and assistance to our athletic department. In September, Gary Stevens was hired as our interim Athletic Director. At that time Gary was also an adjunct professor in our Sports Management department. Gary's leadership over the past 9 months have seen him embrace every situation he has faced with dedication, commitment and professionalism."
	Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Haley Jackson
	Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Drew Mathieu