WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford athletics department hosted its annual student-athlete awards celebration on Sunday in Chase Arena with 16 different awards being presented. Nominations were submitted on and voted by the coaches and support staff at the University of Hartford.
Awards & Winners:
Highest Men's Team GPA : Men's Lacrosse - 3.76 GPA
Highest Women's Team GPA: Softball - 3.79 GPA
Edward Weinswig Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: Patrick Joseph (Baseball) - 3.95 GPA
Patrick Joseph a transfer from Rockland Community College two years ago, Joseph has distinguished himself as a dedicated student-athlete, posting an outstanding 3.935 GPA in electrical engineering. Known for his calm demeanor and focused approach, he leads by example as a mature, all-in competitor.
On the field, Joseph has been a consistent contributor this season. As of April 26th, he has started 23 games and appeared in 28 overall, compiling a .257 batting average with 10 runs scored, three extra-base hits, and six RBIs.
Edward Weinswig Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Andrea Buzas (Women's Soccer ) - 3.98 GPA
Andrea Buzas is a two-time conference champion in women's soccer who has made a strong impact both on the field and within the campus community through active involvement in SAAC initiatives. Concluding her four-year career with an outstanding 3.978 cumulative GPA, Buzas excelled as an education major while consistently demonstrating leadership and commitment.
During her senior season, Andrea served as a team captain, starting 14 of 19 appearances. She recorded one assist and played a key role in the Hawks' defensive success, helping the team secure seven shutouts over the course of the season.
Male Comeback Player of the Year: Colin Reilly (Men's Lacrosse)
Following a lower body injury sustained in the fall of 2024, Colin Reilly faced an uncertain path, leaving campus after the spring 2025 semester unsure if he would compete again for the Hawks. Battling ongoing pain and scar tissue upon returning in the fall, Colin showed resilience and determination, working his way back into competition and ultimately earning a starting role for the 2026 season.
During this season as of April 26th, Reilly appeared in fifteen games, making fourteen starts, and emerged as the team's offensive leader. Colin led the Hawks with forty goals while also topping the team in shooting percentage, averaging 2.67 goals per game to rank fourth in the CNE. Colin earned conference recognition as CNE Player of the Week and was named to the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Team of the Week on April 6th after a dominant two-game stretch that included twelve goals and one assist.
Female Comeback Player of the Year: Alyssa Edwards (Softball)
After a season-ending surgery prior to her arrival on campus in the fall of 2024, Alyssa Edwards spent the entire year committed to her rehabilitation process, dedicating herself in the weight room and remaining focused on her recovery while patiently preparing for her return to the field. Her perseverance and determination ultimately set the stage for a highly impactful comeback season.
As of April 26th, Since rejoining the lineup, Edwards has been a driving force in her team's success throughout CNE play. Alyssa leads the team with six home runs, ranking fourth in the conference, and has added twenty-five RBIs, placing eighth in the CNE. Edwards also boasts a .365 batting average alongside a .659 slugging percentage, which ranks eighth in the conference, establishing herself as one of the league's most productive hitters.
Male Iron Hawk Award: CJ Ledwick (Men's Lacrosse)
CJ Ledwick demonstrated a strong commitment to his craft, quickly establishing himself as a consistent presence in the weight room from his first days on campus as a freshman. He has set the standard for work ethic within the team. That commitment has continued to define his development through his junior year, where his preparation and focus have translated into measurable performance gains.
Ledwick returned to campus in September in excellent physical condition and carried that momentum into the team's testing period in November, where CJ recorded personal records in every testing metric. His continued growth, consistency, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the program culture. This season as of April 26th, Ledwick holds a 8-4 overall record with 112 saves and a 9.15 goals allowed average.
Female Iron Hawk Award: Destinee Majett & Madison DiPasquale (Track & Field)
Majett and DiPasquale are both recognized for their shared commitment, competitive drive, and leadership within the women's track & field program. Arriving on campus together, both student-athletes quickly established a daily standard of excellence, consistently pushing one another in training and creating a competitive environment that has elevated not only their own performances but also the overall culture of the team. Their ability to challenge each other every day has become a defining strength in their development.
That internal competition has translated into both athletic success and meaningful leadership within the program. Majett and DiPasquale have grown into trusted leaders and mentors, setting the tone through their work ethic, consistency, and accountability.
Male Newcomer of the Year: Zack MacMillan (Men's Golf)
Zack MacMillan emerged as the team's top golfer throughout both the fall and spring seasons, establishing himself as a dependable leader in competition from the outset of his collegiate career.
MacMillan capped off his season with a second-place finish at the conference championship tournament, a performance that also earned MacMillan the Rookie of the Year honors in the CNE and a spot on the CNE All-Conference First Team. Zack's success helped Hartford win the CNE Men's Golf Championship and secured the team spot at the NCAA Championships in two weeks. MacMillan is regional ranked #16 and has an average score of 74.7 this season.
Female Newcomer of the Year: Anastasia Nerney (Women's Soccer)
Anastasia Nerney made an immediate and lasting impact in her debut season, establishing herself as one of the top performers in the conference. Her combination of skill, consistency, and competitiveness earned her First Team All-Conference and All-Region honors.
Nerney started in nineteen games and finished the season with 11 goals and nine assists, playing a key role in helping the Hawks capture their second consecutive CNE Championship. Her strong all-around performance also earned her Conference Rookie of the Year recognition.
Male All-Hawk Team: Nick DiDomizio (Men's Lacrosse), Michael Featherstone (Baseball), Owen Klein (Cross Country / Track & Field), Zack MacMillan (Men's Golf), Kyle Winters (Men's Basketball)
Nick DiDomizio is a second-year captain on the men's lacrosse team and has established himself as a cornerstone of the Hawks' defensive unit, leading the team in caused turnovers while setting the tone with his consistency and effort. His impact was further recognized when he was named CNE Defensive Player of the Week following a dominant team victory over Vassar College. As of April 26th, he has started all sixteen games for the Hawks, providing stability and leadership on the defensive end throughout the season. His contributions have been instrumental in Hartford's run to the CNE Semifinals. So far this season DiDomizio has scored a lone goal with 24 caused turnovers and 22 ground balls.
Michael Featherstone is a second-year captain of the baseball team, Featherstone has established himself as a dominant presence on the mound out of the bullpen and a key leader within the pitching staff. As of April 26th, he boasts a 1.66 ERA while holding opponents to a .195 batting average. Michael has recorded three saves, pitched 21.2 innings, and tallied 27 strikeouts, providing the Hawks with reliability in high-pressure situations.
Owen Klein, the 2025 CNE Elite 21 Winner for men's cross country has distinguished himself as one of the top student-athletes in the conference, combining academic excellence with elite performance on the course. He earned CNE First-Team All-Conference honors following a strong fourth-place finish at the 2025 CNE Cross Country Championships. He continued his standout season at the NCAA Regional Championships, where he placed thirty-seventh overall and earned All-Region recognition for his performance.
Zack MacMillan emerged as the team's top golfer throughout both the fall and spring seasons, establishing himself as a dependable leader in competition from the outset of his collegiate career. MacMillan capped off his season with a second-place finish at the conference championship tournament, a performance that also earned MacMillan the Rookie of the Year honors in the CNE and a spot on the CNE All-Conference First Team. Zack's success helped Hartford win the CNE Men's Golf Championship and secured the team spot at the NCAA Championships in two weeks. MacMillan is regional ranked #16 and has an average score of 74.7 this season.
Kyle Winters made a huge impact in his first season for the Hawks being named to the CNE All-Conference Second Team. Winters averaged 15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for Hartford while averaging 35.8 minutes a night. In conference play he netted 15.3 points a night to go with 5.2 boards and 2.7 assists.
Female All-Hawk Team: Madison DiPasquale (Track & Field), Carly Mayhood (Softball), Ava Naszimento (Women's Basketball), Rebecca Opdenbrouw (Women's Soccer), Kate Zonin (Women's Lacrosse)
Madison DiPasquale was an all-region and all-division honoree in the indoor track season. DiPasquale has delivered a historic season for the women's track & field program, establishing herself as one of the most dominant throwers in the school history. Throughout the indoor season, she set new school records in both shot put and weight throw, further cementing her place in program history. Her success carried into the outdoor championship season, where she was crowned the 2026 CNE Individual Champion in both the discus and shot put, showcasing her versatility and elite-level consistency across multiple events.
Carly Mayhood is a senior captain of the softball team. As of April 26th she has pitched in 77 innings with a CNE ERA of 2.07. She has been selected a CNE Pitcher of the Week and a NFCA Top Performer of the Week this season. Mayhood sits as one of the best pitchers in program history with 252 career strikeouts and a career ERA of 3.10.
Ava Naszimento made her second CNE All-Conference Team in her career improving to the second team this year after being a third team selection in 2024-25 for the women's basketball program. Ava ended the 2025-26 season averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season. Naszimento shot 49.6% from the field this season and was named to her first New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) team of the week on January 28th.
Rebecca Opdenbrouw appeared and started in all 21 games for the Hawks women's soccer team during her senior season. Across her 1,504 minutes, Rebecca tallied 38 points, 14 goals, and 10 assists. She would end up leading the Conference of New England (CNE) in all major offensive stats (points, goals, and assists) en route to being named the CNE Offensive Player of the Year and having a spot on the All-Conference First Team. Opdenbrouw would later be also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team and a United Soccer Coaches Fourth Team All-American.
Kate Zonin is having a breakout second season for the Hartford women's lacrosse team. Zonin recently reached 100 career points and as of April 26th, leads the conference in goals scored. Kate has started all seventeen games for the Hawks, recording sixty-three draw controls, sixty-eight goals, and sixteen assists. She was selected as a CNE Offensive Player of the Week and will head into Endicott Wednesday night in the CNE Semifinals.
Ted Stavropoulos Coach of the Year: Pete Stankevich
Pete Stankevich, in his eighteenth season at the helm, led two teams to CNE contention. The women's golf program finished second in its fall championships, while the men's team earned a first-place finish with six freshmen on the roster.
Following the fall championships, he was named CNE Men's Golf Coach of the Year, while freshman Zack MacMillan was voted Rookie of the Year. He is now gearing up to take the men's team to NCAA Nationals in just two weeks.
Male Athlete of the Year: Michael Novotny (Men's Lacrosse)
Michael Novotny continues to lead the Hartford men's lacrosse team in points this season. As of April 26th, Novotny has 38 goals to go with 19 assists for 57 total points. On the way to the CNE Playoffs, he started all fifteen regular-season games, causing eight turnovers and collecting twenty ground balls. He was selected to the NEILA All-New England Team of the Week.
Female Athlete of the Year: Jordan Murphy (Volleyball & Track & Field)
Jordan Murphy has excelled on the playing surface in all three seasons for the Hawks in 2025-26.
Murphy amassed 239 kills, 133 digs, and 34 blocks on the volleyball court during the fall.
In the winter, Jordan finished fifth in the indoor high jump and sixth in the indoor pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Nationals, earning second team All-American status in both events. Murphy was selected to the USTFCCCA Mideast All-Region Team in the high jump and pentathlon and set school records in the indoor high jump (1.73 meters) and pentathlon (3559 points).
Murphy was recently crowned a CNE champion in the high jump and secured a third-place finish in the shot put while helping the team score key points on the way to a CNE Championship team title.
The Hawk Award: Michael Waszeciak
The Hawk Award is awarded annually, by the Director of Athletics, to the student-athlete, coach, staff, or faculty member that shows up each day ready to lead by example and symbolizes what it means to be a Hawk.
Michael Waszeciak has continuously worked to improve our image online, raising the bar and expectations from doing the minimal to giving the extra effort and creating the extraordinary. He oversees graduate assistance, student workers and interns to coordinate our busy weekly sports and activity schedule and teach them the ins and outs of sports information. Having amassed over 11M views already this academic year alone to highlight all of the department's accomplishments and hard work, it couldn't have been done without an outstanding athletic communication leader.
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