A career captivating event concluded Friday afternoon as the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2026 were celebrated on the campus of Colby College. A dozen award winners were announced, but all seniors were celebrated for their major accomplishments throughout the last four years on Mayflower Hill.
As a two-season athlete on the Track & Field team, Tally Zeller's impact has been felt across eight seasons at Colby. An ultimate teammate, she was part of an All-American relay squad as a sophomore, twice as a junior, and once already as a senior. At last winter's indoor championships her relay unit became national champions in the 4x400m relay. With a GPA above 4.0, Tally was honored as a CSC Academic All-American and inducted into Colby's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
Carissa Cassidy is one of the rarest two-sport athletes at Colby. As a member of the Alpine Ski team, the slalom specialist was named the EISA Slalom Champion in 2025 on her way to her first All-American award that same winter. As a senior, Carissa repeated as one of the country's best, regardless of division. On the diamond each spring, she was a four-year starter, serving as the leadoff hitter for Colby's Softball team. A four-time All-NESCAC selection, Carissa owns several key career records including games played, hits, stolen bases, and runs scored.
Levi Biery became the first national champion for Colby's Men's Track & Field team in almost 25 years when he won the 400m Hurdles event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last spring. He has been an All-American twice as part of a relay squad, and twice more on his own in individual events, holding three school records along the way. Levi was crowned NESCAC Champion in back-to-back seasons when he won the 400m Hurdles in 2025 and 2026.
As a two-season athlete on the Track & Field team, Tally Zeller's impact has been felt across eight seasons at Colby. An ultimate teammate, she was part of an All-American relay squad as a sophomore, twice as a junior, and once already as a senior. At last winter's indoor championships her relay unit became national champions in the 4x400m relay. With a GPA above 4.0, Tally was honored as a CSC Academic All-American and inducted into Colby's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
Jackson Coelho has been a force for the Track & Field team throughout his career, but his performance has been especially elevated this year. The holder of three school records and a member of two All-American relay squads, Jackson earned his first individual All-American award this winter on his way to being named USTFCCCA Regional Athlete of the Year for the indoor season. The CSC Academic All-District and three-time NESCAC All-Academic honoree has shown deep commitment to his full Colby experience, reaching high performance in the classroom as well as on the track.
Kellen Mottl has led the Women's Swimming & Diving team to incredible heights over the last few years. While pursuing a double-major in Classics and Anthropology, Kellen has also expected the most of herself in the pool. Guiding Colby to two straight undefeated seasons and a program best finish at this year's NCAA Championships, Kellen leaves Waterville with four school records, is a winner of three NESCAC Championship events, and has earned All-American honors in two individual events to go along with three relay medals.
A four-time All-Region honoree for Cross Country, Chris Gould is a prime example of a student-athlete. With almost a 4.0 GPA, he was a six-time NESCAC All-Academic selection and a selection to Colby's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. A true testament to perseverance, Chris overcame injuries in his first two years to help his team qualify for NCAA Championships twice, and once went as the College's lone representative. A persistent force to unite his team, his leadership held the Mules together in the locker room as well as on the trails.
With four podiums over her career at the NESCAC Championships, Avery Rappaport's athletic career escalated as a senior where she won the 1-meter dive at the conference meet and was declared the NESCAC Diver of the Year. Her path to success was not void of challenges, as two major injuries in three seasons threatened to derail her career. Committed to working back each time to help her team and represent her college, Avery's path to success was only made possible due to her passion to compete, her grit and determination to succeed, and her love of sport and team.
As Colby's third Phi Beta Kappa member on this list, Oliver Riordan's path to success was one of inspiration. Arriving at Colby as a walk-on for the Squash team, Oliver's hard work and dedication to his craft and his team quickly elevated him into the ladder. In his later years, his presence in the lineup helped the team reach new highs for national ranking as well as a first-round victory in the NESCAC tournament his senior season.
Jo Tattersall has been a key element for the inner operations of Colby's Athletic Department throughout her four years. Not only has she worked in the Equipment Room to keep teams supported throughout their seasons, but she has also served as a crew leader for fall and spring seasons, staffing, training, and supervising home game operations. A two-year captain for Colby's Ice Hockey team, Jo was selected to the All-NESCAC team as a senior.
Whether she can be found working at the front desk, in the equipment room, or supervising shifts at fall and spring athletic contests, Courtney Schumacher knows what it takes to truly support her department and fellow students with a high level of responsibility. A two-time All-NESCAC selection for the Ice Hockey team and a captain as a senior, Courtney is a prime example to her peers of how to balance elite-level athletic performance with unwavering commitment to serving Colby Athletics.
Without hesitation, James Sloat's support of the coaching staff, students, and entire athletic department has been evident across his tenure on Mayflower Hill. As the Senior Associate Provost, his close collaboration through the Athletics Advisory Committee makes Colby fortunate to have such a caring administrator as a close, loyal fan. James deeply cares about all of Colby's students in their pursuits of their passions, in the classroom, across campus, and on the competition surface.
