Mason Athletics

911�� ranks fifth in Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll

Katarina Benson — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:12:46 +0000

911�� ranks fifth in Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll Katarina Benson Tue, 07/21/2026 - 14:12

911�� placed fifth among all Atlantic 10 institutions with 318 student-athletes named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2025-26 academic year. The 318 honorees mark the third-highest total in 911��’s history, trailing only the 332 student-athletes recognized in 2020-21 and the 327 honored in 2023-24. The Patriots also improved upon last year's total of 315 honorees.

To earn a spot on the Commissioner's Honor Roll, student-athletes competing in an Atlantic 10-sponsored sport at a full member institution must achieve a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher across the fall and spring semesters. Freshmen and graduate students are eligible for the award.

Across the Atlantic 10, 3,944 student-athletes earned Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition, marking the seventh consecutive year the conference has recognized more than 3,500 student-athletes for their academic achievements.

A total of 380 Atlantic 10 student-athletes recorded perfect 4.0 GPAs during the 2025-26 academic year, while 2,677 honorees (67.8 percent) finished with GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Fordham University led the conference with 351 Commissioner's Honor Roll selections, followed by Davidson College, Saint Joseph's University, University of Rhode Island, 911��, St. Bonaventure University, and La Salle University.

Women's cross country and track and field led all sports with 488 honorees, followed by men's cross country and track and field and baseball.

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Costello College of Business

Meet This Year's Scholar-Athletes

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Serving up success: Camryn Weldon’s internship with Leidos

Katarina Benson — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:55:05 +0000

Serving up success: Camryn Weldon’s internship with Leidos Katarina Benson Wed, 07/15/2026 - 09:55

Like many 911�� students, business major Camryn Weldon is spending her summer doing an internship. Unlike many other students, Weldon is also a Division I athlete and is balancing her work at government contractor Leidos with the demands of collegiate volleyball. The 911�� setter is spending her summer preparing for the upcoming season while gaining valuable experience in business development.

Weldon, junior and business major, is also a setter on the 911�� volleyball team. Photo provided

"I spent last summer here as a business development intern, helping the business secure their current contracts and allowing them to grow and expand into other areas," Weldon said. "I'm back this year supporting federal financials—basically the pursuit of business in federal financial agencies, so like the FTC, the Treasury."

Weldon has found that her coursework directly supports her professional ambitions.

"I'm a business major and my concentration is finance," she said. "[This internship has] been really good exposure, and it's allowed me to understand what it actually looks like. It's easy to get your degree and think that you're going to be interested in something, and then it's a whole another thing to be doing it every day and know what you want in a career."

Her academic background has enhanced her understanding of the technical side of the business. "Last summer I didn't really understand what all of the different aspects of IT services meant," she said. "[But this past year] one of my operations courses talked a lot about IT infrastructure and how all that stuff works, and so that really prepared me to understand the types of services Leidos provides."

Weldon credits her experience as a student-athlete for helping her excel in the professional world. The confidence she's built on the court translates seamlessly into the workplace.

"I think being comfortable speaking to people in positions of power is a really valuable skill. Interns are usually pretty scared to talk to people, but I've had to talk to adults on the phone since I was getting recruited in high school," she said.

"I've gotten great feedback from my manager. He told me that he can tell I'm a natural leader. Being put in positions of leadership because of my past experience as a student-athlete and previous summer internship allowed me to feel comfortable enough to let my leadership skills show."

Her competitive drive also finds a home in business development. "Business development is a competitive environment—which is nothing new to me," Weldon said.

Even while interning, Weldon remains committed to volleyball—though this summer has come with its own set of challenges. "I would say that's the most difficult part of having an internship is figuring out how to do it all," she said. "I'm definitely working to stay in shape, going to physical therapy when I can and staying mobile.”

As she heads into another year balancing athletics and work, Weldon is optimistic about her future in both arenas. "I'm looking to get a job here after graduation," she said. Whether she's leading on the court or in the conference room, Weldon continues to prove that the skills she's developed as a student-athlete are preparing her for whatever comes next.

Learn about Internships at 911��

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A student-athlete’s marketing play draws fans to the stands

Katarina Benson — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:26:00 +0000

A student-athlete’s marketing play draws fans to the stands Katarina Benson Fri, 04/03/2026 - 11:26

For 911�� baseball player Evan Blanchard, success isn’t just measured in hits and RBIs. During his internship with Mason Athletics’ marketing department, the third baseman helped design a promotional campaign that brought hundreds of fans—and a surge in attendance—to a men’s basketball rivalry game.

Evan Blachard in his Patriots uniform. Photo by Rafael Suanes/911�� Athletics

As a senior majoring in sport management, Blanchard needed to complete an internship of at least 400 hours to meet his degree requirements. His interest in sports marketing began with Lily Plizga, associate director of fan engagement and brand strategy in 911�� Athletics. As a student-athlete, Blanchard saw Plizga working tirelessly during games and knew how strong the department was. After a discussion with Plizga, Blanchard decided to fulfill his internship requirement by working with 911�� Athletics’ marketing department.

“The biggest thing is how fast-paced sports environments are," said Blanchard of his internship experience. “You need to be able to handle multiple roles, communicate effectively, and stay organized.”

Some of his core responsibilities included devising marketing plans, which included creating promotional themes, brainstorming giveaway ideas, and emphasizing social media strategy while ensuring all the marketing materials resonated with the different stakeholders, including students, fans, alumni, sponsors, and donors.

On gamedays, Blanchard was responsible for gathering and distributing promotional items, along with running in-game collateral, such as sponsored student competitions and T-shirt tosses.

His internship also required that he manage a special project. Blanchard decided to do a promotion for the men’s basketball program, with the purpose of boosting attendance by 5% at the big in-state rivalry game between 911�� and James Madison University (JMU) scheduled to take place during Thanksgiving break.

The plans involved collaborating with 911�� baseball alumni Danny Hosley and South Trimble, who are currently Savannah Bananas players. The idea was to have Hosley and Trimble participate in a pre-game autograph session, halftime entertainment, and timeout competitions.

Blanchard at a 911�� men's basketball game. Photo by Art Pittman/911�� Athletics

Aside from getting people to the game, the goal was to attract a new audience, especially baseball fans, while also cross-promoting men’s basketball and baseball. Since most 911�� students were home for the break, the target audience for this promotion also included kids and families in the area.

Blanchard began preparing at the start of the fall 2025 semester, with weekly goals to keep on track. This included reaching out to both Hosley and Trimble and coordinating with the Masonettes, marketing staff, and the department leadership. He also contacted various baseball and softball clubs to coordinate group sales and designed autograph cards for fans, along with additional promotional graphics for the event.

"As an intern, you have value, but you still have to prove yourself," he said. “Preparation was key, and I made sure everything was well planned and gathered feedback from everyone involved."

On the big day, both the marketing department and Blanchard were eager to see whether their planning was successful. The results speak for themselves:

61.1% attendance increase since the last time 911�� played a home game over the Thanksgiving recess
1,499 attendees above the 2023-24 yearly attendance average (39.8%)
19.7% attendance increase since last home game versus JMU

More than 400 fans came through the meet and greet line with trading cards, mini-bats, baseballs, jerseys, and banana hats, eager to meet Hosley and Trimble.

Plizga described Blanchard as one of the best interns she has ever had, with praise for his professionalism and reliability. Early on in his internship, Blanchard stepped in to help when 911�� Athletics decided to participate in Fairfax’s annual Fall Festival within the week of the event. There wasn’t a lot of turnaround time to get staff participation in the day-long event. Blanchard helped Plizga set up and then tear down at the festival. Then they headed back to the campus to work at a 6 p.m. soccer game.

Plizga also appreciated Blanchard’s positive attitude and demeanor. “Sometimes tensions can get high, but Evan’s positive attitude made the workplace a lot better. Everyone loved working with him, and he definitely boosted the mood throughout the day,” she said.

In addition to learning how to operate various technologies, such as the Daktronics videoboard used to promote events, Blanchard said understanding the importance of workplace culture, teamwork, and professionalism, and knowing how to effectively contribute to an organization were also important lessons.

His advice to students seeking internships is to develop good relationships with your professors and to always be on the lookout for opportunities they share.

To those wishing to pursue sport marketing, Blanchard said, “You have to be able to put yourself in uncomfortable situations that involve communicating with people, bringing up new ideas, and just trying out new things. You also have to be able to wear multiple hats at once, while ensuring that you stay organized by having a plan.

Learn more about Internships at 911��

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Mason Now: Power the Possible

Celebrating Our Champions: An evening honoring faculty and staff donors

Katarina Benson — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:33:46 +0000

Celebrating Our Champions: An evening honoring faculty and staff donors Katarina Benson Mon, 03/30/2026 - 15:33

911��’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations recognized the contributions of its champions—911��’s faculty and staff donors—with an evening of thanks. The March 18 Celebrating Our Champions event focused on the generosity and support that faculty and staff offer the university while serving 911�� students. “I know that you care about students, but you all have taken it a step further,” said 911�� President Gregory Washington. “You have decided to give back to the very institution that you serve every day. That is profound.”

Nena Rogers (left) received the 2026 Spirit of Giving Award. Photo by Sean Kelley

The annual event reflects the importance of faculty and staff engagement with the university. “Your participation strengthens a legacy of generosity that connects our past, our present, and our future,” said Trishana E. Bowden, president of the 911�� Foundation and vice president for advancement and alumni relations. “Tonight is about a tradition where we recognize a staff and a faculty member for their philanthropy in the many years they give to our institution.”

The Luminary Award honors faculty donors whose philanthropy, advocacy, and commitment serve as an example for the community. This year, it was awarded to Keith D. Renshaw, a professor of psychology and senior associate provost for undergraduate education. Described as a respected colleague, Renshaw was recognized as a collaborator, a mentor, and a friend.

“I truly believe it is hard to find a more compelling place than 911��,” said Renshaw. “I take very seriously the responsibility that comes with this award. I will continue to support all that I can and to inspire others to support as much as they can, because it is hard to find another place that is more deserving of that support than 911��.”

Keith Renshaw (center) received the Luminary Award. Photo by Sean Kelley

Nena Rogers, BS ’89, MA ’19, deputy athletics director for student services and performance, received the 2026 Spirit of Giving Award, which recognizes a staff member who embodies the university’s philanthropic spirit. A former student-athlete herself, Rogers was noted for having the ability to see the possibilities and strengths hidden within her students, for the benefit of not only the athletic programs at 911�� but the athletes themselves.

“To me, the spirit of giving is simple. It’s believing in someone’s future. It’s extending a hand toward opportunity,” said Rogers. “Together, we know that the investments we make today will shape the leaders of tomorrow.”

Because of faculty and staff members like Renshaw and Rogers, students at 911�� not only thrive for a semester, but for years to come. “My experience here has been invaluable,” said Madison Preis, a criminology major who received support from the Stay Mason Fund and spoke at the event. “There’s truly nothing like it. I want to say from the bottom of my heart thank you, thank you because you’re enabling our futures and supporting our dreams.”

This new annual tradition, launched last year, aims to convey 911��’s gratitude to its faculty and staff, both on campus and through philanthropic support for its students and programs. Their advocacy and commitment champion the university’s mission now and into the future.

Power the Possible

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The Bestick twins reflect on their time as student-athletes at 911��

Katarina Benson — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:30:56 +0000

The Bestick twins reflect on their time as student-athletes at 911�� Katarina Benson Fri, 03/27/2026 - 13:30

Life is filled with unexpected twists and turns. In the case of 911�� lacrosse twins Kaitlyn and Regan Bestick, that road has split and come back together several times. Now, as the Fredericksburg, Virginia, natives and Honors College students compete in their final season together and prepare to separate again, they reflect on their time in the Mason Nation.

Regan has been a goalkeeper for the Patriots women’s lacrosse team for the past three years after transferring from Saint Joseph’s after her freshman season. She’s started every game this season and has recorded 96 saves. Kaitlyn has played all four years at 911�� and is currently second on the team in goals scored with 26. Both of them have created a positive impact on the team, which isn’t surprising considering the number of athletes in their family.

Regan and Kaitlyn Bestick. Photo by Mason Athletics

Sports and lacrosse have played an integral role in the lives of the Bestick twins. The product of two collegiate athletes—their mom was an All-American lacrosse player at James Madison, and their dad played baseball at William & Mary—they said televised sports were a big part of their household growing up.

Because we’re a sports family, we just watch a lot of games,” said Kaitlyn. “Our roommates will tell you the same thing: We always have some form of sports on.”

From childhood, their parents instilled a sense of competitiveness among the siblings, and they said they will always be grateful for that. “Our parents really prioritized us not only competing at the highest level but also getting the best education possible. And they instilled in us that work ethic to be able to succeed both academically and athletically,” said Regan.

The close bond between the sisters helps them give each other constructive feedback that translates into better performances. “Being in opposite positions really helps. When we're training in the off season, it helps to have someone who can shoot on me and tell me what I'm doing wrong, or what I'm giving up, and vice versa," said Regan. “It really helps to have that second pair of eyes. Inherently, I feel like we make each other better every day."

Despite spending their first years apart, they still collided on the field during that first season. On March 11, 2023, Regan made her debut for Saint Joseph's, against her twin sister, who was starting for 911��. Regan recalls feeling overwhelmed with emotion, as it was the first time she competed against her sister. However, when Regan came on, she knew that she had to focus on giving her best performance and ensuring the victory. The Hawks came away with the win, and Regan contributed to the clean sheet.

The sisters grew up playing together. Photo by Mason Athletics

Kaitlyn played a key role in bringing Regan to Mason. Kara, the head coach for the women’s lacrosse team, saw the sisters play at the club level in high school and was impressed by their skills and tenacity.

"I was definitely a big part of (Regan’s) recruiting process coming to Mason,” said Kaitlyn. “We wanted her from day one. And (Coach) Mupo was adamant about getting an inside scoop about her process, because she's a very talented player.”

“I knew that Kara was an amazing coach,” said Regan. “(George) Mason was in my top two schools my first time around recruiting as a high schooler. I knew that it was a place that I really liked and really enjoyed the coaching style and coaching aspects that Kara brings to the table.”

Regan also liked the idea of being closer to home. “I really enjoyed the fact that my parents got to come to every one of Kaitlyn's games,” she said, noting that they couldn’t always make it to Philadelphia for hers.

Regan brought valuable experience to 911��. “Her being here just makes us so much better on all facets,” said Kaitlyn. “Not only does she lock down her cage on the field, but she's also a great role model for our underclassmen. She's added so much value to our team.”

Aside from being among the top scorers, Kaitlyn also has additional leadership responsibilities as she is the president of the Student Athletes Advisory Council (SAAC) and serves as the voice for student-athletes.

Both sisters also have set out clear career paths. Regan has known since high school that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry, she is already a certified veterinary assistant. After graduation, she’ll begin her four-year journey in veterinary school.

Kaitlyn, who completed her bachelor’s in government and international politics last year, is currently working on her master's in political science through the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Masters (BAM) Program at 911��. She will be attending law school in the fall.

Kaitlyn was introduced to law at a young age by her dad, who is a police officer for Fairfax County. “I came into Mason knowing I wanted to be an attorney. But personally, I want to do more civil or government work,” said Kaitlyn. "I'm also interested in sports law. I don't really want to be in a courtroom too much, but rather more behind the scenes."

She interned last summer with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and worked with their procurement division.

Both are really excited about their graduate studies. "This will be the first time we're only students—not student-athletes, so I don't know how we're going to handle just having schoolwork to do and no practice or anything taking up half our day," said Kaitlyn.

This also means that the sisters will once again be away from each other, but they have already prepared for this situation.

"We talk way too much, so obviously there will be a lot of FaceTime calls and texts," said Kaitlyn.

Topics

Schar School of Policy and Government

911��’s Marvin Lewis serves on NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee as March Madness nears

Katarina Benson — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:25:57 +0000

911��’s Marvin Lewis serves on NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee as March Madness nears Katarina Benson Wed, 03/11/2026 - 19:25

Marvin Lewis knows a little something about the anxiety that comes with waiting for your team’s name to be called on Selection Sunday, and the euphoria that follows when that dream of playing in the NCAA Tournament becomes a reality.

Lewis, 911��’s assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, is now in his inaugural season among those charged with making it happen for those lucky few as part of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee.

Lewis, who played in two NCAA Tournaments as a standout player at Georgia Tech and helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 NCAA Championship game, called his addition to the selection committee last April as the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) representative “a huge honor.”

Lewis was chosen for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“As a kid, I always dreamed of playing in the NCAA Tournament,” he said. “Then to have the experience at Georgia Tech to actually play in it, and then make it to the final game was special. But I feel like this is now a full-circle moment—with me now being an administrator helping to decide who’s in it. That’s probably the coolest thing for me. It’s pretty special.”

Lewis, however, won’t have much time to wax nostalgic because Selection Sunday is fast approaching on March 15, and there are scores of basketball games for him to watch between now and then from among the six conferences he’s been assigned.

He’s part of a 12-member committee charged with identifying the 31 best at-large teams to join the tournament’s 31 automatic qualifiers for the 68-team field that will compete for the national championship.

Committee members, who are led by chair and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletics Director Amanda Braun, have long been meticulously watching games, analyzing statistical profiles, reviewing results and weekly rankings, and applying a range of metrics and evaluation tools to build the most competitive tournament bracket possible.

“Over the past four months, I’ve watched more women’s basketball than I ever have,” Lewis said.

The selection to the high-profile committee is the most prestigious assignment yet for Lewis, whose star continues to rise in the field. But those who know him best are hardly surprised.

Former ACC Senior Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball Mary McElroy was the athletics director at Georgia State when she gave Lewis a reprieve from life as a certified public accountant by hiring him as an assistant athletics director for business in 2008. McElroy is a former Georgia Tech athletics department administrator and had known Lewis from their time there, recognizing his maturity and focus early on.

“I needed the help, and he had the experience and maturity I needed,” McElroy said. “So I took a chance on him.”

His new time-intensive duties mean that Lewis won’t be in Pittsburgh to watch the men’s basketball team compete in the A-10 Tournament. He’ll instead be in Indianapolis with fellow committee members as they absorb all the last-minute information before determining the women’s NCAA Tournament field.

Committee members cannot be present during discussions regarding the selection or seeding of a school or conference they represent.

“You just watch it on TV and everyone has an opinion or perspective on where their team should be seeded, whether their team should be in, or who should be placed in what order,” Lewis said. “But we spend hours debating, using the criteria the committee has established to make those determinations. It’s a lot more detailed than people would think.”

Under Lewis’ leadership, 911�� Athletics delivered a historic 2024–25 season, capturing five A-10 Conference titles. Key highlights included:

Men’s basketball captured a share of the program’s first regular-season title, finishing with a school-record 27 wins and earning the team’s first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance since 2009.
Women’s basketball won its first A-10 Tournament championship, recorded a program-best 27 victories, and advanced to the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Men’s soccer secured the program’s first regular-season title, finishing 13–4–1 overall and 6–1–1 in conference play, while Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year.
Women’s indoor track & field won first championship since 2014.
Men’s outdoor track & field won first championship since 2010.

The five championships marked the most conference titles in a single season in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during 911��’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013-14. The achievement also represented the program’s most successful competitive year since the 1994-95 season. George Mason student-athletes also earned 18 all-conference selections or individual titles, while 75 received weekly A-10 awards.

Lewis’ close relationship with A-10 Coach of the Year Tony Skinn, a 911�� alum who helped lead the Patriots to the 2006 Final Four, helped pave the way for a breakthrough season for the men’s basketball program last winter.

The women’s basketball team also delivered a historic season under Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, who guided the Patriots to the program’s first A-10 championship and was later named a finalist for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award.

Lewis’s impact has been equally significant off the courts. During his tenure, a record number of student-athletes were named Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar Athletes, including 78 in 2024-25 and 74 in 2025-26, the first time 911�� has recorded back-to-back years with more than 70 honorees.

Beyond competitive success, Lewis has also focused on building the long-term foundation of Intercollegiate Athletics. In 2025, he introduced “Patriots United. Together We Thrive,” a five-year strategic vision designed to strengthen 911�� Athletics through enhanced student-athlete support, improved resources and facilities, and deeper engagement with the Northern Virginia community.

His success and extensive college basketball background made Lewis an easy choice when the opening as the committee’s A-10 representative unexpectedly came up last spring. His appointment also marked the first time 911�� has had a representative on the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Committee.

Lewis now gets to experience March Madness again, this time from a vastly different vantage point. Following the announcement of the NCAA field, he’ll attend tournament games at various sites before heading to the Women’s Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.

“For a basketball junkie,” he said, “it doesn’t get much better.”

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Patriot Performance Lab helps athletes stay in the game

sholla4 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:52:28 +0000

Patriot Performance Lab helps athletes stay in the game sholla4 Tue, 03/03/2026 - 12:52

To be an NCAA Division 1 student-athlete, you need a village. From dieticians to strength trainers to physical therapists, developing and maintaining fitness for elite competition is a collaborative effort. One way that 911�� Intercollegiate Athletics and the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) keep our athletes in top form is through evidence-based practices and science. That's where the Patriot Performance Lab comes in.

Erica King, right, works with a student-athlete. Photo by John Boal Photography.

The Patriot Performance Lab’s role is twofold: They monitor and measure athletes’ health as well as conduct research studies on athlete performance. Over the years, they’ve conducted numerous studies with various D1 teams—such as testing vitamin D levels in basketball players and knee joint adaptations in volleyball players—while providing athletes with critical data on their health metrics like body composition, VO2 Max, strength measurements, and more.

Margaret Jones. Photo by John Boal Photography.

“We’re not just a research lab,” emphasized Margaret Jones, professor in CEHD’s Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management Division and director of the Patriot Performance Lab. “Providing health services to athletes is also critical. It’s what makes the partnership work.”

Strong science communication skills are essential in this field. Researchers need to be able to translate data and results to coaches and student-athletes so they can adjust and improve. Chris Green, professor of sport management and director of the Center for Sport Management, works with the lab to help staff develop research communication skills.

“It’s relatively new to consider sports management in sports science,” she said. “The field as a whole is starting to ask how we can make good management decisions around athlete health and performance data. But the Patriot Performance Lab is already doing this work. It’s one of the things that makes us unique, and it’s what makes our work impactful.”

Green has been essential, Jones said, in helping lab members develop their communication skills and better understand how information is being shared from researchers to coaches to athletes.

“When they understand why I’m asking them to wear or do something and understand how this will benefit them, they’re more likely to perform at the level required in order for us to get good data,” said Noelle Saine, BS Kinesiology ’22, MS Kinesiology ’23, and a third-year PhD student. Saine, who was herself a student-athlete in track and field, understands the importance of strong communication between sport scientists and athletes.

“It’s establishing trust that what we’re doing will improve their health and performance,” said Jones.

Noelle Saine, right, runs a strength test with a student-athlete. Photo by John Boal Photography.

Collaboration with the coaches and athletic trainers is also critical. “We couldn’t do what we do without them,” said Saine. “They see the benefits and importance of what we do.”

Postdoctoral research fellow Erica King, BS in Bioengineering ’21, PhD Bioengineering ’25 and a former student athlete in swim and dive, has been leading the work on knee joint adaptations since she was a graduate student. She led a recent 9-month study using wearable sensors for tracking load during practice, counter-movement jump testing, wearable and clinical ultrasound, MRIs, and surveys to assess the load demands on volleyball players’ knees.

“At the end of the season, we were able to show the coaching staff the average number of jumps athletes complete in a 15-16 week period and the direct effects of that from a joint adaptation standpoint,” she said. “They found that data really helpful, and now they can tailor practice sessions to better support the players and help alleviate strain that could lead to injury.”

Athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers often come to the lab with questions for study and ideas. A blood lactate study with the swim team last spring was requested by the swimmers, who applied for and received an Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) grant to fund the study. The team collected data from blood draws, heart-rate monitors, DEXA scans, and jump testing. Early review suggests athlete stroke specialization and maximal power generation capabilities significantly impact accumulation in blood lactate levels during all-out swim bouts.

Noelle Saine leads a VO2 Max test on a student-athlete. Photo by John Boal Photography.

And as Saine and King can attest, the Patriot Performance Lab offers 911�� students the opportunity to do hands-on research in a wide range of fields. There are opportunities for all levels of research, from postdocs like King to high school students interested in exploring this world of research for the first time.

“Having that R1 designation really gives us the extra push to be able to dive deep into research,” said Saine. “Faculty have always encouraged me to find what I’m passionate about and pursue it. And my experience has been that instead of being competitive, everyone wants to work together to push forward and improve.”

Green noted that Jones’ experience as both researcher and practitioner is also an important piece of the puzzle that makes the Patriot Performance Lab work. “[Jones’] capacity to connect all these parts and have both credibility and an understanding of what the needs are sets us apart,” she said.

Jones said she appreciates the openness and willingness of people at 911�� to work together.“We’re supported on both sides by CEHD and Athletics.”

“The Patriot Performance Lab reflects what 911�� does best, bringing research and practice together in service of people,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of CEHD. “Our student-athletes are performing at the highest levels, and they deserve evidence-based support that protects their health and enhances their performance. This partnership between CEHD and Athletics ensures that science goes beyond the lab, to directly improve lives.”

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911�� recognized 74 Provost Scholar-Athletes this year

Katarina Benson — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:58:07 +0000

911�� recognized 74 Provost Scholar-Athletes this year Katarina Benson Fri, 02/27/2026 - 13:58

For just the second time, more than 70 911�� student-athletes have earned the Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award for their outstanding academic achievements. Following a record-breaking 78 honorees last year, 74 student-athletes were recognized during a ceremony held in February.

The Provost Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2009 by then-Provost Peter N. Stearns to recognize student athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher with at least 38 credit hours.

Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar Athlete Award Ceremony 2026. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The reception, hosted by Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, celebrated this year's Provost Scholar-Athletes and was attended by parents, deans and professors, and senior athletics administrators.

Interim provost and executive vice president Ajay Vinzé congratulated the group. Jack Chapman, a senior member of the swimming and diving team and a three-time recipient of the award, spoke on behalf of his fellow student athletes.

Marvin Lewis, 911�� assistant vice president and director of athletics, also congratulated the honorees during the ceremony. "This award represents the very best of what it means to be a 911�� student-athlete," he said. "Tonight is not just about athletic talent— it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena. Keep working hard. Keep pushing forward. And keep inspiring the people around you—because you are the standard."

Among this year's honorees, 31 are first-time recipients, 29 have earned the award twice, and 14 have been named Provost Scholar-Athletes three or more times.

First-Time Recipients

Lucas Alberti, Baseball, Business

Bryson Barnett, Cross Country & Track, Kinesiology

Regan Bestick, Lacrosse, Biology

Kaitlyn Bronowicz, Softball, Community Health

Charles Bunting, Wrestling, Business

Davian Burke, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Mechanical Engineering

Owen Clyne, Baseball, Integrated Studies

Riley Ellis, Lacrosse, Neuroscience

Shivaani Ganesh, Women's Tennis, Cyber Security Engineering

Jack Graham, Women's Swimming & Diving, Business

Tess Altevers Harris, Softball, Economics

David Hill, Men's Volleyball, Business

Pierce Hokenson, Golf, Business

Julia Howe, Rowing, Criminal Justice

Kaitlyn Kutz, Rowing, Chemistry

Marta Kux, Rowing, Business

Alexander Lillie, Men's Volleyball, Criminology, Law and Society

Sabrina Liu, Rowing, Nursing

Jordan Lucas, Women's Volleyball, Neuroscience

Michael Madigan, Baseball, Business

Adelline Oliveira, Women's Swimming & Diving, Physics

Helena Santacana, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Mechanical Engineering

Aleigha Scherber, Women's Swimming & Diving, Biology

Ryan Serbia, Men's Swimming & Diving, Electrical Engineering

Madison Sobota, Softball, English

Thomas Stofka, Wrestling, Kinesiology

Noelle Talarek, Women's Tennis, Integrated Studies

Giselle Torain, Lacrosse, Psychology

Kailynn Tyson, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Elementary Education

Maxwell Vom Saal, Cross Country & Track, Kinesiology

Camryn Weldon, Women's Volleyball, Business

Aidan Weltin, Men's Volleyball, Business

Angelina Zeidan, Women's Swimming & Diving, Kinesiology

Two-Time Recipients

Lauren Bailey, Co-ed Cheerleading, Sport and Recreation Studies

Victoria Bates, Women's Lacrosse, Special Education

Kara Becker, Women's Rowing, Anthropology

Julia Bike, Women's Soccer, Business

Alayna Brooker, Women's Swimming & Diving, Bioengineering

Luke Brown, Cross Country/Indoor Track, Economics

Caitlin Cardin, Co-ed Cheerleading, Government and International Politics

Mia Casciani, Women's Soccer, Sports Management

Haleigh Dellow, Softball, Psychology

Makenna Diaz, Co-ed Cheerleading, Education

Brant Ertel, Baseball, Business

Robert Evangelista, Men's Volleyball, Business

Amalia Florou Dimitriadou, Women's Indoor Track, Psychology

Marie Franjicic, Women's Soccer, Kinesiology

Kaleigh Friend, Softball, Special Education

Sarah "Midori" Galligan, Women's Rowing, Kinesiology

Page Greenburg, Women's Basketball, Psychology

Kristen Ivey, Women's Swimming & Diving, Criminology, Law and Society

June Johnson, Women's Rowing, International Security and Law

Elene Meurmishvili, Women's Rowing, Economics

Harlowe Nigh, Softball, Psychology

Carly Passaro, Women's Soccer, Government and International Politics

Isabella Puentes, Women's Rowing, Electrical Engineering

Clare Smith, Women's Swimming & Diving, Psychology

Casey Tingen, Women's Swimming & Diving, Business

Madyson Taylor, Women's Soccer, Community Health

Jazmine Vasquez, Women's Rowing, Business

Three-Year Recipients

Megan Baird, Women's Indoor Track, Computer Engineering

Kaitlyn Bestick, Women's Lacrosse, Political Science

Evan Blanchard, Baseball, Sports Management

Selamawit Caldart, Women's Soccer, Integrated Studies

Pilar Cerritos Gatto, Women's Rowing, Psychology

Jack Chapman, Men's Swimming & Diving, Criminology, Law and Society

Rachel Eberly, Women's Soccer, Sports Management

Peyton Farley, Women's Lacrosse, Psychology

Alexandra Hooks, Women's Soccer, Biology

Kamryn Inman, Softball, Community Health

Sierra Matheson, Women's Indoor Track, English

Ella ("Marley") Oare, Women's Indoor Track, Global Affairs

Allyson Yeary, Women's Swimming & Diving, Business

Georgi Zahariev, Men's Volleyball, Cyber Security

"Tonight is not just about athletic talent—it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena."

—Marvin Lewis, Assistant VP and Director of Athletics

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