Waterville, Maine - Friday night Colby Athletics celebrated their senior class with the 3rrd Annual Senior Sports Awards.  Traditionally held closer to graduation, the event marks a culmination of involvement in athletics for the 2021 senior class and highlighted nine student-athletes as award winners.  One faculty or staff member was also recognized, as well as five student-athletes who were recently inducted into the Maine Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.  

Bill Millett Award  *Presented to the Male and Female student-athletes who have contributed the most to Colby Athletics in their four years. 
Rosie Hust (Alpine Skiing) 
A slalom specialist, Hust qualified in each of her first three years for the NCAA Division I Skiing Championships.  Hitting the ground running her first year, she placed in the top-10 in five out of six slalom races on the EISA circuit.  As a sophomore, Hust was among the best in the nation at the Championships hosted by the University of Colorado, sitting in 8th place after the first run, finishing the two-run event in 17th.  As a junior, she added four EISA podiums to her list of accomplishments. 

Ryan Bedell (Men's Swimming & Diving) 
Earning All-NESCAC honors in 2019 and 2020 in the 1000 Freestyle, Bedell graduates as the Colby Record holder in the 500 Freestyle, 1000 Freestyle, 1650 Freestyle, and is a member of the 800 Freestyle Relay team.  His impact on the program is arguably as significant as any member in its history, helping his team move from being ranked 11th in the NESCAC before his arrival to top-5 at the conference meet his junior year. 

Patty Valavanis Award  *Presented to a female student-athlete with qualities of academic and athletic excellence and personal leadership and sportsmanship.
Cierra San Roman (Women's Ice Hockey) 
A goalie for the Women's Ice Hockey Program, San Roman helped the Mules' ascent to the top of the NESCAC.  Facing 1233 shots in her career, she posted a .930 save percentage and 2.0 goals against average and earned six career shutouts over the course of three years.  When not on the ice, San Roman was incredibly involved with the Communications Department for Colby Athletics, learning and mastering anything from videoboard operation to statistics of all sports.  A Teaching Assistant for Computer Science as well as Biology, she also served as the Treasurer for the Peak Performance Data Science Club.

Richard L. Whitmore Award  *Presented to a male student-athlete with qualities of academic and athletic excellence and service to the College. 
Billy Chizmar (Men's Lacrosse) 
A goalie on the Men's Lacrosse team, Chizmar saw his program go from three wins (3-11 in 2017) the year before he arrived to match that win total as a senior in only four games (3-1 in 2021).  Supporting his peers as a SAAC representative and Community Advisor still left time for Chizmar to pursue a passion in videography and writing.  On top of being involved as a videographer for Admissions and other departments, Chizmar is a published author and movie director. 

Marjorie D. Bither Award  *Presented to a female student-athlete for academic ability, athletic ability, and leadership in athletics and on campus. 
Stephanie Fawell (Women's Swimming & Diving) 
With a class standing in the top 10% of the 2021 graduating class, this Phi Beta Kappa inductee earned three NESCAC All-Academic Team nods, and backed it up on the diving board.  Fawell was a three time NESCAC Championship finalist on the 1 and 3-meter boards and will graduate ranked in the top-5 all time on the Colby Diving Record Boards. 

Donald P. Lake Award  *Presented to a male student-athlete for academic ability, athletic ability, and leadership in athletics and on campus. 
Eli Decker (Men's Cross Country, Track & Field) 
An All-NESCAC Team member in 2018 and 2019, Decker ran in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships twice, earning All-American honors as a junior.  Just as rewarding, the Men's Cross Country team qualified for the national event as a unit in 2019, finishing the season ranked 16th in the country.  The rare three-sport athlete, Decker was named to the NESCAC All-Academic Team for three fall seasons as well as three spring seasons. 

Pamela Hoyt-Sanborn Award  *Presented to a female student-athlete for inspirational leadership.
Lauren Niemiec (Softball) 
Lolo, as her teammates call her, has been instrumental in the elevation of the softball program on Mayflower Hill.  A four-year starter behind the plate, Niemiec's defensive prowess was certainly matched by her skills at the plate, illustrated by her 55 hits over three seasons.  She started the 2021 campaign going 9-12 in her first four games with three doubles and a homerun.

Norman White Award  *Presented to a male student-athlete for inspirational leadership. 
Andrew Russell (Baseball)
Batting .336 as a first year, Russell entered his sophomore campaign red hot, collecting 13 hits in the first nine games for the Mules that spring, good for a .406 average.  Injury took him out of the remainder of that season, and a global pandemic sidelined him the next, but the two year captain returned to help lead the charge of establishing community within the program and displaying ferocity on the field. 

Warren J. Finegan Award  *Presented to a male or female student-athlete for significant behind the scenes contribution to the success of Colby Athletics. 
Justin Masella (Football) 
While Masella was a defensive lineman on the Football team who collected tackles all the way back to his first year as a Mule, his lasting impact on Colby College will certainly be remembered by his service to others over self.  Masella helped lead the charge for several Student Athlete Advisory Committee initiatives during his time as co-president, including the One-Colby campaign that infused safety in the challenge of returning to campus with great risks all around.  Consistently serving as a leading voice, a willing supporter, and a tireless worker, Masella demonstrated service to others at its highest. 

Impact Award  *Given annually to a member of the faculty or staff who has provided extraordinary support to Colby Athletics. 
Tim Weston (Head Athletic Trainer)
Known not only for his expertise and organization, but also for his ability to connect with individuals at all levels, Weston leads the Athletic Training staff with grace.  Supportive of his students and peers alike, Colby's Head Athletic Trainer also served as a member of the President's Staff Advisory Council, a leader on the Peak Performance Team, and guided the athletic department to develop and follow guidelines through COVID to help the College continue to pursue its mission to offer Colby students the best opportunities possible to pursue their unique potential. 

Phi Beta Kappa Honorees
  Stephanie Fawell, majoring in English: Creative Writing, from the Women's Swimming & Diving team
  Natalie Maus, majoring in Computer Science and Physics: Astrophysics, from the Women's Ice Hockey team
  Gautam Mitra, majoring in Computer Science and Economics, from the Men's Squash team
  Grace Neumiller, majoring in Environmental Science, from the Women's Swimming & Diving team
  Claire Waichler, also majoring in Environmental Science, from the Nordic Ski team