Hadley, Mass. - Two men student-athletes and seven women student-athletes have been nominated to represent the NESCAC as its Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Men's and Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year nominee. Two Mules sit among the list of nine; Jackson Coelho of Colby Men's Track & Field and Tally Zeller of Colby Women's Track & Field.

The award recognizes graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service, and leadership. A committee of conference administrators will select the NESCAC's representative for the awards.

Jackson Coelho, Men's Track & Field

• Graduated with a 3.78 GPA and a degree in economics with a concentration in financial markets and a minor in data science.
• Received the 2026 Richard L. Whitmore Award, an honor given out by the Colby Athletic Department for athletic achievement, academic excellence, sportsmanship, and campus involvement. Was a six-time NESCAC All-Academic honoree, a 2025 USTFCCCA All-Academic selection, and garnered CSC Academic All-District Team recognition twice.
• Coelho was a four-time All-American for the Mules and a seven-time USTFCCCA All-Region selection. His time of 1:03.25 in the 500 meters (indoors) ranks fifth all-time in NCAA Division III -Indoor Track & Field. Coelho was a three-time All-NESCAC honoree.
• He owns the four Colby school records and 18 top-10 all-time marks, including the all-time best time in the 400 meters (outdoors) and the 500 meters (indoors).
• A team captain as a senior, Coelho organized Colby's volunteer involvement with the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen, led the Portfolio Analytics Team for the Colby Student Investment Association, which oversaw a ~$210,000 portfolio and guided 30 underclassmen. Coelho worked as a marketing intern with USA Track & Field New England and was a Teaching Assistant for Corporate Finance class.

Tally Zeller, Women's Track & Field

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colby with a 4.00 GPA as a double major in economics and government.
• Was a Dean's List student (2024–2026) and a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American. Zeller was presented with the Ernest Parsons Economics Award for the highest GPA in economics/finance and garnered a spot on the NESCAC All-Academic Team five times.
• Was a six-time All-American, a six-time USTFCCCA All-Region athlete and a four-time All-NESCAC performer. Won the NCAA title in the 4x400 indoor relay. Zeller is part of the Colby 4x200 relay team that owns the NCAA record in the event. She also owns four Colby school records and ranks among the Mules' Top-10 All-Timer Performances 10 times across multiple events.
• Was presented with the 2026 E.W. Millet Award, Colby's top male & female athlete contribution award. Also earned the 2026 Patty Valavanis '80 Award for athletic achievement, academic excellence, sportsmanship, and campus-community involvement.
• A team captain, Zeller was President of the Colby Student Investment Association (2025–26), volunteered at the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen, was a Finance Fellow at DavisConnects, was a member of the Colby Outdoor Orientation Trips (COOT), a Campus Ambassador for Girls Who Invest & The Swedish Program, an Ambassador to the Tuck Business Bridge, and was a hiring-committee participant at Colby.

CLICK HERE for the full Men's release on the NESCAC website 7/15

CLICK HERE for the full Women's release on the NESCAC website 7/15