Hadley, Mass. - Ten student-athletes have been nominated to represent the NESCAC as its NCAA Woman of the Year and Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year nominee. Of the ten Colby's own Julia Jardina of Colby Women's Lacrosse and Fiona Mejico of Colby Track & Field have been nominated. A committee of conference administrators will select the NESCAC's representative for the awards.

The NCAA Woman of the Year Award and the DIIICA Women's Sports Student-Athlete of the Year Awards honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service, and leadership. 


Julia Jardina – Colby Women's Lacrosse
Jardina graduated with a 3.94 GPA and cum laude honors as a neuroscience and Spanish major. A College Sports Communicators Academic All-American in 2024 and an All-District selection in 2025, Jardina was a three-time NESCAC All-Academic honoree. She was presented with Colby's Patty Valavanis '80 Award, given to a student-athlete on a women's team with outstanding qualities of athletic achievement, academic excellence, sportsmanship, and campus community involvement.

A team captain as a senior, Jardina participated in Colby's National Girls & Women in Sports Day, became a mentor in the Colby Cares About Kids program, volunteered as the Maine General Hospital, served on the Colby Athletics Advisory Committee, was a Spanish Department Tutor, and was a Spanish linguistics volunteer while studying aboard in Sevilla, Spain.

A four-time All-American, Jardina led Colby to its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Final Four in 2025. She was also a three-time all-region and All-NESCAC player during her career. The Mules also reached the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament during Jardina's time with the program. She finished her career as Colby's all-time leader in draw controls (307).

Following graduation, Jardina was accepted to dental school.


Fiona Mejico – Colby Women's Track & Field
The Spanish and sculpture major graduated with a 3.77 GPA. A two-time Dean's List student, Mejico was a three-time NESCAC All-Academic Team member and earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors.

Mejico served as a pottery club officer, a teaching assistant in the sculpture studio, and a dedicated ceramicist while at Colby. She was a panelist for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, as well as a team captain since her sophomore season.

An 11-time All-American, Mejico was a member of Colby's 4x400 NCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championship relay in 2025 and a part of the Mules' 4x200 relay that set an NCAA record. She earned USTAFCCCA All-Region accolades all four years as an indoor and outdoor track & field athlete and was All-NESCAC six times, including winning the 400-meter Hurdles at the 2025 NESCAC Championships.


CLICK HERE for the full release on the NESCAC website 6/25