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Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Katarina Benson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:38:22 +0000

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching Katarina Benson Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:38

Tayler Cook knows a thing or two about winning, and the former �鶹��Ƶ women’s basketball standout hasn’t wasted any time imparting what she knows.

Coach Tayler Cook with her Heritage team. Photo by Maya Lopez/LoCoSports

In her first year as head coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Cook took over a girls’ basketball team that had finished 12-12 the year before, leading the Pride to a remarkable 25-3 record and the program’s first Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 4 state championship.

“It was definitely a good year and an exciting flip,” said Cook, who earned a BS in physical education from George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Education and Human Development in 2018 before returning for a master’s degree in special education. “I told them before the start of the season that they could win a state title, but they had to believe it.”

Cook’s impact was almost immediate. Heritage, a Loudoun County school that had never advanced that far since opening in 2002, also claimed Dulles District and Region 4C titles while holding opponents to fewer than 33 points per game, making them one of the toughest defensive teams in Northern Virginia.

Cook was named Class 4 State Coach of the Year for her efforts.

“We’re so excited to have her,” said Pride Athletics Director and fellow George �鶹��Ƶ alum J. J. Totaro, BS Public Administration ’03. “It takes a real special coach to get players to use their talents selflessly, use them with a team mentality, and rise to the moment when situations get tough. We look forward to seeing what they can do this coming season as well.”

Coach Cook on the sidelines. Photo provided

Cook, who is a special education teacher in addition to coaching basketball, is a former VHSL Player of the Year and daughter of longtime Spotswood High School Coach Chris Dodson, whose career ledger includes 12 district titles, 10 regional crowns, and six state championships. She played a key role in Spotswood’s back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.

It seems that winning is in her DNA.

Cook was a four-year player at George �鶹��Ƶ, where she still ranks 14th all-time in assists with 251 and 25th in rebounds with 495. She helped lead the Patriots to a 24-win season and a berth in the 2018 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after three consecutive losing seasons.

Cook took over at Heritage following a successful run guiding Tuscarora High School to back-to-back state tournament appearances. She brought with her a dynamic five-out, spread offense, and a passion for player development.

“It feels different as a player than as a coach,” Cook said. “As a player, you’re definitely having fun and doing it with your best friends. I just wanted it so bad for them as a coach because I had done it.”

While Heritage graduated six seniors from this year’s title-winning team, including two starters, Cook likes her team’s chances for next year with the return of several top prospects.

“It’s a lot of fun, and I truly enjoy coaching them,” she said.

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Quinn-Irons selected by Tampa Bay in the 2025 MLB Draft

Melanie Balog — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 18:11:15 +0000

Quinn-Irons selected by Tampa Bay in the 2025 MLB Draft Melanie Balog Mon, 07/14/2025 - 14:11

�鶹��Ƶ junior outfielder James Quinn-Irons was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft on Monday.

Quinn-Irons, a native of Reston, Virginia, was selected with the 147th overall pick.

"James is a special talent who hits for power and average, and uses the entire field," George �鶹��Ƶ head coach Shawn Camp said. "He has a strong arm and runs the bases very well, and he's a leader on and off the field. He has trusted the process here at George �鶹��Ƶ from day one and we are all looking forward to watching him at the professional level."

Quinn-Irons. Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

Quinn-Irons was invited to participate in the 2025 MLB Draft combine, held June 17-21 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The invitation-only event featured the top collegiate and high school players with more than 300 draft prospects, including 180 collegiate players, who were selected by a committee of MLB, USA Baseball and MLB Club scouting executives with feedback from all 30 MLB clubs.

Quinn-Irons was recognized on five All-America teams in 2025, including four first-team selections at the conclusion of the 2025 season. He was selected DIBaseball First Team All-American, Baseball America First Team All-America, American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-America First Team, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division I All-America First Team and Perfect Game College Baseball Second Team All-American.

Quinn-Irons was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and was one of the 25 semifinalists for the 47th Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the best amateur baseball player in the nation. He is the first Golden Spikes Award semifinalist in George �鶹��Ƶ baseball program history.

Among NCAA leaders, Quinn-Irons ranked second in the nation in hits (101) and RBI (85), fourth in total bases (177), tied for sixth in doubles (24), seventh in batting average (.419), ninth in on-base percentage (.523), tied for 17th in both runs scored (74) and stolen bases (36) and 23rd in slugging percentage (.734).

Quinn-Irons was a three-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, the most of any player in the league. He led the league in batting average (.419), hits (101), RBI (85), total bases (177), on-base percentage (.523), OPS (1.257) and doubles, was second in slugging percentage (.734), third in stolen bases (36), fourth in run scored (74), and was seventh in walks (36).

Quinn-Irons started all 61 games and had a batting average of .419 (101-for-241). He led the team in hits (101), doubles, (24), home runs (16) and RBI (85), was second in runs scored (74), stolen bases (36-43) and walks (39). He had 30 multi-hit games (5-2x, 4-2x, 3-10x, 2-16x), 26 multi-RBI games (5-2x, 4-5x, 3-5x, 2-14x), 24 multi-run games (4-1x, 3-5x, 2-18x) and two multi-home run games.

Quinn-Irons started 146 of his 148 games played over his three years with the Green and Gold with a .371 batting average with 208 hits, 33 home runs, 41 doubles, three triples, 160 RBI, 151 runs scored and 58 stolen bases.

Among George �鶹��Ƶ all-time leaders, Quinn-Irons ranks second in both batting average (.371) and on-base percentage (.459), fourth in slugging percentage (.632), sixth in RBI (160), tied for sixth in home runs (33), tied for 11th in hit by pitch (28), 13th in runs scored (151), tied for 19th in doubles (41), tied for 20th in hits (208), 39th in at-bats (560), tied for 40th in total bases (262), 42nd in starts (146) and 50th in games played (148).

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“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George �鶹��Ƶ’s competitive future

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:31:48 +0000

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George �鶹��Ƶ’s competitive future Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:31

It’s less about wins and losses for Marvin Lewis, and more about building enduring bridges for the long term.

The �鶹��Ƶ assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture.

The plan is designed to keep George �鶹��Ƶ competitive in the fast-changing college sports landscape with improved facilities, expanded resources, and robust support for student-athletes.

“I believe athletics is the front porch of this university, but our job is to unite the community,” Lewis said. “In this evolving landscape, our university needs athletics at the forefront, with our basketball programs gaining strong visibility—locally, regionally, and nationally. These pillars will guide our efforts as we continue to elevate George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics and deliver on our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.”

Marvin Lewis. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Lewis presented his plan, as well as the fundraising priorities, to the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) in February, where his call for support in building a winning program to unite the Northern Virginia community resonated.

“If we look around the country at the elite universities, I think you’ll find the combination of great athletics and great academics,” BOV board member Jon M. Peterson said at the meeting. “I think we’ve got the academics; I just think we need to bring the other side up to match.”

Key Highlights of the Plan

There is a $35 million fundraising goal within the �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, to elevate George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics, enhance student-athlete experiences, and strengthen the university’s competitive position.

Basketball Greatness:

The university’s signature men’s and women’s basketball programs are central to the plan, with $22.5 million allocated to position George �鶹��Ƶ as the unofficial college team of Northern Virginia.
Focused on attracting, recruiting, and retaining top-tier talent, providing championship-level support, and developing student-athletes to their full potential.
A significant portion will fund the construction of a new Basketball and Academic Performance Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility with practice courts, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and an academic support center for all student-athletes.

Sports Performance Ecosystem:

$8 million will be allocated to enhance mental health and wellness services, as well as nutrition and fueling programs, based on student-athlete feedback identifying these as the top requested resources.

Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career:

$3 million will go toward this program, which provides holistic development opportunities for student-athletes beyond sports, including financial education, career readiness, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Athletic Director Opportunity Fund:

Aimed at supporting emerging opportunities, this $1.5 million fund will invest in innovative technology pilots, one-time campus and local business collaborations, and special projects to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.

Lewis predicts the addition of the Basketball and Academic Performance Center would be a “game-changer” for George �鶹��Ƶ. This plan also highlights the need to upgrade the 40-year-old, 10,000-seat EagleBank Arena, which will require spending up to $10 million.

“Men’s and women’s basketball are our flagship programs,” said Lewis, a former four-year starting shooting guard and team captain at Georgia Tech, who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game. “They’re the most visible programs for our university, so making sure they have the resources they need is imperative.”

Lewis emphasized the broader benefits of a successful, high-profile comprehensive athletics program, noting the increased visibility can lead to increased student enrollment and attract more academically talented students who might not have otherwise considered George �鶹��Ƶ.

While most current George �鶹��Ƶ students weren’t around for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four, Lewis believes winning can revive that same spirit. Signs of renewed excitement are already evident after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had successful seasons this winter.

This season marked a historic year for George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics, as the Patriots added to their proud legacy by capturing a combined five regular season titles and conference championships—marking the most successful year in the university’s Atlantic 10 era and the highest single-season total since 1994–95.

“Everybody loves winners,” Peterson said. “We need more winners, and we’ll attract more students.”

The magic starting to take hold at George �鶹��Ƶ hasn’t gone unnoticed in the sports world, as Lewis was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in May.

But building a championship culture doesn’t come easily, and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire campus and local community.

The university’s BOV recognized its role in this effort, using the May meeting to formally approve a name, image, likeness (NIL) policy that compensates student-athletes through personal branding opportunities. Lewis said the policy aligns George �鶹��Ƶ with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal framework, pending NCAA legislation, and peer institutions.

Visit the Patriots United. Together We Thrive page for more information.

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A historic year for George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:28:07 +0000

A historic year for George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:28

The 2024-25 school year was one for the record books for �鶹��Ƶ Athletics, delivering five Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) titles and the most successful run since joining the league 11 years ago.

The Patriots captured A-10 titles or championships in:

Men’s soccer—first regular season title in program history marking the team’s first title since winning the 2013 tournament championship
Men’s basketball—first regular season title in program history
Women’s basketball—first tournament championship in program history
Women’s indoor track and field—first championship since 2014
Men’s outdoor track and field—first championship since 2019

Women's basketball A-10 champions. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics

“This year’s success is a reflection of the passion, resilience, and drive our coaches and student-athletes bring every day,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “We’re proud to make history together and a strong sign of what’s possible for George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics moving forward.”

This marked the highest single-school year total in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during George �鶹��Ƶ’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013–14. It also marked the first time since 1994–95, during the university’s tenure in the Colonial Athletic Association, that the Patriots won five combined regular season and conference championships in one academic year.

Men's outdoor track and field. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Athletics

Additional highlights from a banner year:

Men’s soccer Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to their first regular season title, finishing 13-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in A-10 play—their best conference finish—and earning them a top seed in the A-10 Championship.

Men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn was named A-10 Coach of the Year after leading the team to a share of its first-ever regular season A-10 conference title, a program-tying 27 wins, and its first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance since 2009.
The women’s basketball team recorded a program-best 27 victories, won its first A-10 Tournament title, and secured its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearance.
Student-athletes earned a collective 3.32 grade point average (GPA), with a record 78 named Provost Scholars earning a 3.75 GPA or higher, and nearly half securing Dean's List honors. In total, 18 student-athletes earned all-conference honors or individual titles, and 75 earned weekly conference awards.

With historic wins, academic excellence, and rising national visibility, George �鶹��Ƶ is building momentum, positioning the university as a competitive force in the A-10 and across the collegiate athletics landscape.

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Patriot Profile: Midori Galligan

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:05:18 +0000

Patriot Profile: Midori Galligan Katarina Benson Mon, 06/02/2025 - 10:05

Back in 2023 on the day before she moved into her residence hall at �鶹��Ƶ, Midori Galligan received a bit of advice from her dad as she embarked on her college journey. “He kind of gave the normal talk of ‘You need to do new things, meet new people, and just say yes.’”

In her two years on campus, Galligan has taken that guidance to incredible heights. In the process, she’s discovered new passions while pursuing the degree that prompted her to come to George �鶹��Ƶ.

Midori Galligan. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Rowing on a Whim: A former soccer player, Galligan decided to focus on academics when she came to George �鶹��Ƶ. But during an activities fair on campus, a George �鶹��Ƶ rower encouraged her to try out for the squad. “I was like, you know what? I’m just going to try it. I was looking for things to do, trying to meet new people.”

Despite having no prior awareness of the sport, Galligan cleared tryouts and embarked on a journey that’s still going strong three years later. “The program takes in a lot of novices, and they will teach you how to row. It ended up being the best decision I feel like I’ve made so far.”

Keep to the Beat: Galligan is also an active member of Noteworthy, George �鶹��Ƶ’s a cappella group. Like with rowing, she joined on a whim. “I decided [to try out] 30 minutes before the audition.” She got in, and by her third year the group named her music director, which had her selecting the music and leading rehearsals. Her favorite song to perform is “Somebody That I Used to Know.” “I have a solo in this one! Plus the group has enjoyed learning this one, and it was our concert finisher, so energy was always high!” 

She’s Got Rhythm: Galligan has found some surprising similarities between her two passions. “Rowing is a very rhythmic sport. In a boat of people, you have to be moving together. Constantly being on a beat has helped me pick up rowing technique.”

Honors College student Midori Galligan was recently recognized as one of this year's Stearns Scholar Athletes. Photo provided

The teamwork and collaboration she has experienced come with their own rewards. “It’s a really cool feeling, having a collective goal, working hard for it, wearing a uniform of the school, and going out and competing or performing. I take a lot of pride in it.”

Best Laid Plans: While Galligan, who is also an Honors College student, seemingly left the social part of her life as a Patriot to chance, her academic path shows strong intention. “I knew I wanted to be a physical therapist,” she says, “and a big part of preparing for PT school is experience.” She cites the university’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and its rich pool of internship opportunities as major factors in her decision to come to George �鶹��Ƶ. “The kinesiology curriculum has set aside credits and time for you to get internships as well. I thought I would be really set up to create a strong PT application.”

Advice for New Patriots: In her journey of “saying yes,” Galligan says she’s discovered something far more important. “I think the point of going to school and having all the opportunities is just to kind of get out of your comfort zone and see what’s there. You learn something about yourself and what you want…it helps you figure out who you can be.”

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Quinn-Irons led George �鶹��Ƶ’s charge into the baseball postseason

Katarina Benson — Mon, 19 May 2025 19:12:06 +0000

Quinn-Irons led George �鶹��Ƶ’s charge into the baseball postseason Katarina Benson Mon, 05/19/2025 - 15:12

A subtle shift in mindset turned James Quinn-Irons into a force at the plate—and it made all the difference in George �鶹��Ƶ’s baseball postseason run.

Quinn-Irons at bat. Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

Rather than fixating on results, the junior first baseman embraced a process-driven approach, focusing on what he can control at each at-bat. This mindset allowed him to explode offensively, leading the Patriots in nearly every major offensive category, propelling the team into the Atlantic 10 Conference Baseball Tournament at Capital One Park in Tysons, Virginia. George �鶹��Ƶ made it to the championship game but lost 4-1 to Rhode Island.

“I don’t care as much about the results of the at-bat,” Quinn-Irons said. “I used to get wrapped up in stats, but now it’s more about the process—whether I’ve been patient, worked the count, and done the little things. You can’t always control getting a hit or driving someone in, but you can control your approach. It’s just a mindset.”

It worked.

The computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computing played and started in all 55 regular-season games this spring, leading the Patriots with a .419 batting average, 16 home runs, 85 runs batted in (RBIs), 101 hits, 24 doubles, a .734 slugging percentage, and a 0.523 on base percentage. He also ranks second on the team with 36 stolen bases in 43 attempts. In the A-10 standings, he ranks third in stolen bases, second in slugging percentage, and leads the conference in batting average, on base percentage, hits, RBIs, doubles, and OPS (on base + slugging percentage) with 1.257.

At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Quinn-Irons has played his way into professional prospect, with his name expected to be called during next month’s Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. He recently participated in the 2025 MLB Draft Combine, held June 17-21 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The invitation-only event features top collegiate and high school players selected by a committee of MLB and scouting executives, giving prospects the opportunity to showcase their abilities in advance of the draft.

Quinn-Irons was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

Accolades are piling up. He was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, bestowed annually to the nation’s top amateur baseball player. He is the first player in George �鶹��Ƶ baseball history to earn the honor and just the third from the A-10 conference to be named a semifinalist. Previous winners include former MLB stars Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and Buster Posey. In addition, Quinn-Irons received numerous conference and national honors, including:

A-10 Player of the Year
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year
Three All-America honors:
- American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-America First Team
- National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division I All-America First Team
- Perfect Game College Baseball Second Team All-American
Three-time A-10 Player of the Week, the most of any player in the league

Not too bad for a player out of South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia whose lone scholarship offer came from George �鶹��Ƶ.

Patriots Head Coach and former MLB pitcher Shawn Camp lauded Quinn-Irons for the leadership he brings on and off the field, and for his ability to inspire others around him.

“His leadership is contagious,” Camp said. “He shows up every day with the same attitude. He is one of the most coachable players I’ve ever had, and is always working to improve.”

Last season, Quinn-Irons batted .302 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. His tireless dedication to his craft has elevated every part of his game this spring.

A highlight from earlier in the season came on May 15, when he blasted a walk-off, three-run homer, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to seal a thrilling 8-6 win over Fordham, keeping George �鶹��Ƶ’s A-10 regular season title and top tournament seed hopes alive.

“I’m just playing ball,” Quinn-Irons said.

With numbers like his, the game clearly played back.

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Recapping women’s and men’s basketball teams’ historic seasons

Katarina Benson — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 16:49:18 +0000

Recapping women’s and men’s basketball teams’ historic seasons Katarina Benson Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:49

Although their seasons came to an end over the weekend, both the �鶹��Ƶ men’s and women’s basketball teams made history this season.

The women's team traveled to Louisiana for the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

The women’s team earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth by winning the Atlantic 10 tournament, capped an amazing season with a tough first-round loss to Florida State.

Paula Suarez scored a career-high 25 points, including five three-pointers. Kennedy Harris had 12 points and five assists.

After an initial surge by Florida State, the Patriots found their rhythm in the second quarter, matching the Seminoles 19-19 in the frame. Suárez caught fire from deep, keeping the Patriots within striking distance. But as the game wore on, Florida State's size and depth proved difficult to counter

“The outcome of this game does not define who they are,” Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis told the Associated Press. “They have put a legacy in place at �鶹��Ƶ…that can never be taken away.”

The team ends its historic season with a 27-6 record.

The men's NIT game against Bradley. Photo by Art Pittman/George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics.

The men’s team, led by George �鶹��Ƶ alum and A-10 Coach of the Year Tony Skinn, BA Communication ‘06, set a new school record this season with 15 wins in the A-10. They matched the best overall win total (27) in school history. The Patriots also set a new program best for home wins (18) and swept their home A-10 slate (9-0) for the first time.

The men’s team scored a decisive 86-69 victory against Sanford in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 19, at EagleBank Arena.

On Saturday, they trailed Bradley by nine (37-28) at the break and by as many as 18 (55-37) in the second half. They closed the gap to three (65-62) with 3:47 left, but Bradley pushed it back to eight (71-63) with 1:31 left and hung on.

"I'm thankful for our seniors," Skinn said. "This was a phenomenal season—27 wins in a season is not normal, and I'm grateful to these guys for it."

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George �鶹��Ƶ sends three to NCAA Wrestling Championship

Katarina Benson — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:18:06 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ sends three to NCAA Wrestling Championship Katarina Benson Thu, 03/20/2025 - 14:18

Three members of �鶹��Ƶ men's wrestling team will be competing at the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championship, held March 20-22 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

The student athletes headed to the championship.

The Patriots DJ McGee, Kaden Cassidy, and Malachi DuVall earned bids to compete. McGee and DuVall are returning to the championship, having competed last year as well. McGee heads to the tournament as the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Champion, while DuVall and Cassidy earned third place finishes.

McGee is slotted as the No. 17 seed, while DuVall is 21, and first-time NCAA qualifier Cassidy goes into the tournament in the No. 27 slot. The junior battled his way through wrestle-backs with four straight wins to finish third in the conference.

The three qualifiers were a major reason George �鶹��Ƶ finished the season with a 12-6 record, its best finish in the MAC (6-2). This is the team’s third consecutive season with double-digit wins. After back-to-back 11-win seasons, the Patriots won 12 this season. It is the most wins in a season since the 2007-08 season when they finished with a 13-5 record.

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George �鶹��Ƶ Women's Indoor Track and Field crowned as 2025 A-10 champions

Katarina Benson — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:47:44 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ Women's Indoor Track and Field crowned as 2025 A-10 champions Katarina Benson Mon, 03/03/2025 - 13:47

�鶹��Ƶ has been crowned the Atlantic 10 Women's Indoor Track and Field Champions, claiming the title over VCU at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. The men's team placed second in the championship behind Rhode Island.

The Patriots clinched the championship in dramatic fashion, securing three additional medals on the final day of competition. Senior Abby Weening captured gold in the high jump, delivering a pivotal performance that helped George �鶹��Ƶ maintain its lead over VCU. She was also named the Most Outstanding Field Performer, recognizing her stellar meet, which included two gold medals in the pentathlon and high jump. Junior Olamide Enajekpo earned bronze in the shot put, while sophomore Susan Adenitan placed third in the 200m race.

Women's Indoor Track and Field A-10 Championship team. Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

With the championship hanging in the balance, the 4x400m relay became the deciding event. Holding a slim 2.5-point advantage over VCU, the Patriots needed to outpace the Rams to secure the title. The relay team—Chairely Bido, Simone Hamlar, Helena Santacana, and Ay'rianna Moore—delivered in dominant fashion, sealing the long-awaited victory for George �鶹��Ƶ.

"Overall, an outstanding weekend of competition for both genders but, especially for our women. It was just a tremendous effort spread across all event groups," said Head Coach Andrew Gerard. “It really is not an exaggeration to say that we continue to have the best combined men's and women's program in the conference and that is 100% credit to the team of athletes we have assembled and the awesome staff that helps get them onto the line, circle and runway."

This victory marks a historic achievement for George �鶹��Ƶ, as the Patriots have claimed their first A-10 Indoor Championship since 2014.

The men's team placed second, only behind Rhode Island who have won the Atlantic 10 Championship for the fifth consecutive year.

The men’s 60m hurdles were swept by the Patriots. Freshman Davian Burke won bronze, junior Albert Asare placed silver, and graduate student Joshua Sutton won the gold. Senior Paul McClain earned the gold in the 500m race, and a gold was also won in the 4x400m relays with a young team of �鶹��Ƶ Samuels, Lance Koontz, Max Karen, and Jordan Tuck. Sophomore Abdurrazzaq Hassan got the bronze in the heptathlon.

Head Coach Andrew Gerard and his staff were honored as the Coaching Staff of the Year.

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George �鶹��Ƶ recognizes 78 scholar-athletes for academic achievements

Katarina Benson — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:22:32 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ recognizes 78 scholar-athletes for academic achievements Katarina Benson Wed, 02/26/2025 - 14:22

A record-breaking 78 Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar Athletes were honored in a ceremony on Feb. 17 for their outstanding academic achievements.

photo provided

In its 17th year, the award recognizes the student-athletes who have earned at least 38 credit hours at George �鶹��Ƶ and have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or better. George �鶹��Ƶ's Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis congratulated this year's recipients at the ceremony.

"I truly appreciate the Provost's Office for recognizing the dedication and hard work of our student-athletes, who excel both in the classroom and in their sport," said Lewis. "This group truly stands out, embodying the highest academic and athletic achievement standards. As Provost Scholars, they are developing valuable skills and discipline that will serve them for years to come, setting them apart as leaders among their peers."

The previous record for Provost Scholar Athletes was 68. In the 2023-24 season, 19 teams were represented, along with cheer and dance. In 2021-22, George �鶹��Ƶ had 11 teams with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher, including three teams with a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

This year, 43 student-athletes were honored for the first time. Of the 22 who have received the award before, 11 have been named to the list at least three times, and two recipients—Max Karen (Men's Track & Field) and Josh Walker (Men's Track & Field/Cross Country)—have been recognized four times.

First-time Honorees

Brant Ertel (Baseball)
Shaun O'Keefe (Baseball)
Page Greenburg (Women's Basketball)
Lauren Bailey (Co-ed Cheerleading)
Caitlin Cardin (Co-ed Cheerleading)
Makenna Diza (Co-ed Cheerleading)
Alyssa Pettijohn (Co-ed Cheerleading)
Sarah Clark (Men's Track & Field/Cross Country)
Luke Brown (Men's Track & Field/Cross Country)
Stephanie Dundas (Women's Track & Field)
Amalia Florou Dimitriadou (Women's Track & Field)
Caleb Hymans (Men's Track & Field)
Victoria Bates (Women's Lacrosse)
Madelyn Holloway (Women's Lacrosse)
Kara Becker (Women's Rowing)
Dabria Dawkins (Women's Rowing)
Sarah Galligan (Women's Rowing)
June Johnson (Women's Rowing)
Elene Meurmishvili (Women's Rowing)
Isabelle Puentes (Women's Rowing)
Jazmine Vasquez (Women's Rowing)
Julie Bike (Women's Soccer)
Mia Casciani (Women's Soccer)
Marie Franjicic (Women's Soccer)
Amelia Martin (Women's Soccer)
Kiyomi McCausland (Women's Soccer)
Aliyah Morgan (Women's Soccer)
Carly Passaro (Women's Soccer)
Madyson Taylor (Women's Soccer)
Anton Siren (Men's Soccer)
Asparuh Slavov (Men's Soccer)
Haleigh Dellow (Softball)
Kaleigh Friend (Softball)
Maya McGowan (Softball)
Harlowe Nigh (Softball)
Kylie Wilkerson (Softball)
Alayna Brooker (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Kristen Ivey (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Emma McDonald (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Clare Smith (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Casey Tingen (Women's Swimming & Diving)
William Arends (Men's Tennis)
Robert Evangelista (Men's Volleyball)

Second-time Honorees

Megan Baird (Women's Track & Field)
Kaitlyn Bestick (Women's Lacrosse)
Evan Blanchard (Baseball)
Selamawit Caldart (Women's Soccer)
Pilar Cerritos Gatto (Women's Rowing)
Jack Chapman (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Sydney Dacus (Women's Soccer)
Lauren Distad (Women's Lacrosse)
Rachel Eberly (Women's Soccer)
Ryan Edmonds (Baseball)
Peyton Farley (Women's Lacrosse)
Alexandra Hooks (Women's Soccer)
Kamryn Inman (Softball)
Alexander Lombardo (Men's Track & Field)
Sierra Matheson (Women's Track & Field)
Noah McGrath (Men's Soccer)
Ella Oare (Women's Track & Field)
Milan Pierre-Jerome (Women's Soccer)
Jordan Tallman (Softball)
Brooke Volpi (Women's Soccer)
Allyson Yeary (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Georgi Zahariev (Men's Volleyball)

Three-time Honorees

Jordan Anderson (Softball)
Madeline Baldwin (Women's Rowing)
Grayson Clark (Men's Track & Field)
Ewelina Gacek (Women's Volleyball)
Shannon Judge (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Olyvia Kennedy (Women's Volleyball)
Ashton King (Men's Track & Field)
Abigail Murtaugh (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Alexandra Tyler (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Anna Whelan (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Arslan Yaqubi (Men's Track & Field)

Four-time Honorees

Maximilian Karen (Men's Track & Field)
Joshua Walker (Men's Track & Field/Cross Country)

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