For Immediate Release
July 13, 2009
Wellesley Sports Information
Courtesy NEWMAC Publicist
Kate Sorenson Named NEWMAC Woman of the Year
Babson Park, Mass. - Wellesley College diving standout Kate Sorenson (Bolton, MA) will represent the New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in national balloting for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, which is bestowed annually upon a student-athletes who excels in academics, athletics, leadership and service. The 2009 NCAA Woman of The Year recipient will be announced in late October in Indianapolis, Indiana
Sorenson graduated from Wellesley in June where she majored in Mathematics and minored in Philosophy. Sorenson was named to the NCAA Academic All-American team and the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference team in her senior campaign. Sorenson also participated in multiple community service and campus activities, including the Math Club, Wellesley Girl Scouts, Wellesley Words on Wheels and WRITE. Sorenson aspires to be a math teacher and coach when she graduates and cites her volunteer work as her inspiration for this goal.
Sorenson, who served as a captain of the Wellesley Swimming and Diving team her senior year, was the NEWMAC's Diver of the Year in the 2008-09 season. She was the NEWMAC 1-Meter and 3-Meter Champion in 2008-09 and placed 4th at nationals in both the 1- and 3-Meter, earning her All-American honors. Also, at nationals, Sorenson was the first Division III female student-athlete to attempt a dive with a 3.0 difficulty rating. For her efforts on the board and in the classroom, Sorenson earned Wellesley's 2009 Barbara Hauptfuhrer Scholar-Athlete Award, the highest athletic award given by the College.
The NEWMAC also recognized Mount Holyoke's Sarah Gray, Smith's Eliza Bryant and Springfield's Laura Riccio for their excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and service.
Gray, a native of New Windsor, New York, recently received her degree in Neuroscience and Behavior from Mount Holyoke College and was a standout in women's rowing for the Lyons. Gray was a three-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection and All Conference selection in 2009. Gray was also a member of the Seven Sisters All-Regatta Team in 2008. Gray volunteered in both the chemistry and psychology departments at Mount Holyoke. In addition, she was a member of Mount Holyoke's chapter of Psi Chi while serving on the College's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Bryant, a native of East Greenwich, R.I.., received her degree in Government from Smith earlier this month after enjoying a standout rowing career for the Pioneers. A three-year letter winner and team captain this past fall, Bryant was a three time NEWMAC All Academic team selection, a three time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete selection and three time Dean's List member. Bryant volunteered her time at Gardening the Community and Big Brother, Big Sister over her four years at Smith. Bryant was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa house and Smith Cushing House Vice President.
Riccio, a native of Bristol, Conn., recently received her degree in Physical Education from Springfield and was a four-year letter winner on the softball diamond for the Pride at second base. A NEWMAC All Academic selection and four time Dean's List member, Riccio was also a NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. Off the field. Riccio was the President of the Pride Athletic Advisory Committee and a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. Riccio was also a recipient of the Softball Team's Most Improved Player Award in 2009 and she was a four time Softball Team Coach's Award Recipient.