LEWISTON, Maine – The Bates College Department of Athletics once again rolled out the red carpet to celebrate another remarkable year in Bobcat athletics, as the 2024–25 season culminated in style at the second annual CATSBYS Awards on Tuesday evening, May 6.

Held in the Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic Building, the festive occasion brought together student-athletes, coaches, staff, and members of the Bates community for a spirited dessert reception brimming with camaraderie and cheer. Attendees posed for photos along the red carpet before settling in for a night of recognition and reflection.

Interim Director of Athletics, Will Rothermel, welcomed the audience with opening remarks before introducing this year’s masters of ceremony: Anna Masumoto ’25 (Women’s Soccer) and Ben Miller ’25 (Men’s Lacrosse).  

The awards ceremony would then commence with the following awards presented at the CATSBYS:

LEWISTON STRONG AWARD
Presented by Lizzie Frekko ’25 (Women’s Tennis) and Jack Margiloff ’26 (Baseball), the Lewiston Strong Award is presented to one Bobcat from a women’s team, and one from a men’s program, that prioritizes service and engagement, both on campus and in the Lewiston-Auburn community.

Winner (Women’s)
Inez Johnson ’25 (XC/Track & Field)

Nominees: Lily Houser ’25 (Soccer), Inez Johnson ’25 (XC/Track & Field), Kendall Reed ’26 (Golf) 

Winner (Men’s)
Andrew Goddard ’27 (Soccer)

Nominees: Andrew Goddard ’27 (Soccer), Roan Hopkins ’27 (Lacrosse), David Omasombo ’26 (Basketball)

TEAM BREAKOUT AWARD
Presented by Hugh McCabe ’27 (Men’s Rowing) and Gabby Monaco ’26 (Women’s Soccer/Track & Field), the Team Breakout Award is presented to one men’s team, and one women’s program, that has demonstrated success and achievement, while emerging as a top team (either in conference or on the national stage)

Winner (Men’s)
Lacrosse

Nominees: Football (signature NESCAC victories vs. Middlebury and eventual conference-champion Wesleyan), Men’s Lacrosse (winning record AND making NESCAC Tournament for first time since 2019), Men’s Swimming & Diving (13th at NCAA Championships)

Winner (Women’s)
Softball

Nominees: Lacrosse (make NESCAC Tournament for first time since 2019 AND best seeding since 2016), Softball (clinched sixth-seed in NESCAC Tournament), Tennis (most victories in three years and winning record at home)

TEAM BOBCAT AWARD 
Presented by Xavier Jackson ’28 (Football) and Mehar Nijjer ’27 (Women’s Golf), the Team Bobcat Award is presented to a student-athlete from both a women’s and men’s program that influences others to succeed. This individual drives their teammates, does the little things to be successful, motivates, leads by example, and possesses that “it” factor.

Winner (Women’s)
Caroline Taggart ’25 (Lacrosse)

Nominees: Sequoia Anstine ’25 (Alpine Skiing), Maddie Kemp ’25 (Rowing), Caroline Taggart ’25 (Lacrosse)

Winner (Men’s)
Garvin McLaughlin ’25 (Basketball)

Nominees: Rex Ah Chu ’25 (Soccer), Garvin McLaughlin ’25 (Basketball), Dylan Thomas (Alpine Skiing) 

MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by Nora Gilmer ’28 (Volleyball) and Will Phillips ‘25 (Men’s Golf), the Moment of the Year highlights an individual moment from a game, match, or competition occurring over the last calendar year.

Winner (Men’s)
Max Cory ’26 (Swimming & Diving)

Nominees:  Baseball (combined no-hitter vs. UMaine-Farmington), Max Cory ’26 (wins NCAA title in 100-yard freestyle),  Xander Frey ’28 (does a back flip after pushing Men’s Lacrosse to victory with game-winning goal in OT at Williams)

Winner (Women’s)
Sophie Spolter ’26 (Basketball)

Nominees: Isabelle Bernal ’28 (nifty Women’s Soccer opening-night goal makes ESPN Sportscenter Top-10), Haley Dwight ’27 (game-saving save vs. No. 4 Wesleyan sets stage for shootout win in first round of NESCAC tournament), Sophie Spolter (Game-winning layup sends Women’s Basketball to second round of NCAA Tournament)

FACULTY-STAFF APPRECIATION AWARDS
Presented by Colton Curtis ’25 (Men’s Lacrosse) and Parker Huynh-Benningfield ’26 (Football), the Faculty-Staff Appreciation Award honors members of the Bates College faculty or staff who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of student-athletes. This award celebrates those whose encouragement, mentorship, or behind-the-scenes efforts contribute to the holistic success of Bates student-athletes.

Winners
Kirstin Hanlon, Catering/Dining Services
Mark Truitt, Facility Services

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Danielle Adams ‘26 (Women’s Basketball) and Colin Eaton ’26 (Men’s Lacrosse), the Rookie of the Year is presented to Bates’ top first-year student-athlete who is a steady, consistent presence; a demonstrator of outstanding ability; and possesses high personal motivation and drive.

Winner (Women’s)
Ava Donohue ’28 (Field Hockey)

Nominees:  Ava Donohue ’28 (Field Hockey), Greta Hendrickson ’28 (Nordic Skiing), Campbell Johnson ’28 (Track & Field)

Winner (Men’s)
Dennis Welte ’28 (Squash)

Nominees: Nate Oppenheim ’28 (Swimming & Diving), Jackson Rose ’27 (Track & Field), Dennis Welte ’28 (Squash)

GAME OF THE YEAR
Presented by Lindsey Aten ’26 (Alpine Skiing) and Elliott Cravitz ’26 (Men’s Basketball).

Winner (Men’s)
Football

Nominees: Football (24-13 win at Wesleyan, 9/28/25), Soccer (1-0 win over  No.15 Bowdoin with 0:55 remaining, 9/24/25), Track & Field (4th-place finish at 2024 NESCAC Championships)

Winner (Women’s)
Field Hockey

Nominees: Field Hockey (stuns No. 1 Middlebury, 2-1, in NESCAC Tournament semifinals), Lacrosse (defeats Williams, 9-7, in home opener), Tennis (upsets No. 16 Williams, 4-3)

MILTON L. LINDHOLM SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARDS 
Presented by Malcolm Hill, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty, the Milton L. Lindholm Scholar Athlete Awards have been given annually since 1976 to the senior men’s team and senior women’s team athletes with the highest grade point averages. The awards honor Milton L. Lindholm, Class of 1935, who served as Bates Dean of Admissions for 32 years.

Winner (Men’s)
Tommo White ’25 (Swimming & Diving-3.98 GPA)

Winner(s) (Women’s)
Lily Houser ’25 (Soccer-4.00 GPA)
Inez Johnson ’25 (XC/Track & Field-4.00) 
Julia White ’25 (XC/Track & Field-4.00)

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Presented by Amanda Edge ’26 (Women’s Lacrosse) and Reuven Frye ’26 (Men’s Lacrosse), the Most Valuable Player must have at least sophomore standing and may either be highly versatile or demonstrate excellence in one sport. The MVP must be a steady, consistent athlete; display good sportsmanship; have high personal motivation and drive; and maintain an attitude and character that represents the ideals of Bates College.

WINNER (Women’s)
Anna Cote ’25 (Field Hockey)

Nominees: Carli Ciavarelli ’26 (Track & Field), Anna Cote ’25 (Field Hockey), Elsa Daulerio ’26 (Basketball)

WINNER (Men’s)
Max Cory ’26 (Swimming and Diving)

Nominees: Max Cory ’26 (Swimming & Diving), Ryan Lynskey ’27 (Football), Truman Williams ’25 (Track & Field)

PRESIDENT’S CUP
Presented by President Garry W. Jenkins (introduced by Rosanna Ferro, Vice President for Student Affairs), the President’s Cup is to be presented annually to the athletic program that has excelled in athletic competition, in the classroom, and in the community, while exemplifying leadership, dedication, values, and concern for their fellow Bobcats.

WINNER
Men’s Lacrosse

Original story posted here.