Wellesley Wins 2013-14 NEWMAC President's Cup
WELLESLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College has been named the recipient of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Women’s Presidents Cup, as announced on Monday afternoon at the conference’s annual meetings. The Blue captured three conference championships on the year and finished second in three other sports.
"It is a wonderful honor to win the NEWMAC Presidents Cup," said Wellesley College President H. Kim Bottomly. "This award represents the tremendous drive and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches, who exemplify the mission and spirit of Wellesley's successful athletics program."
Wellesley got off to a strong start in the fall, with the field
hockey and volleyball teams capturing at least a share of their
respective NEWMAC regular season titles. Coach Julia King’s
field hockey team completed the championship sweep, winning the
NEWMAC tournament as well, before advancing to the quarterfinals of
the NCAA tournament and completing the season with a program-record
18 wins. Cross country and tennis each recorded runner-up finishes
at the NEWMAC championship while soccer qualified for the
postseason after finishing in a tie for third during the regular
season.
"Our Athletics program is honored to receive the NEWMAC
President's Cup!” said Wellesley Director of Athletics,
Bridget Belgiovine. “This cup symbolizes the
passion, commitment, preparation and competitive spirit exhibited
by our student-athletes, coaches and administrators in their
pursuit of athletics excellence as members of the
NEWMAC.”
King also spoke to the dedication of Wellesley’s
student-athletes, saying, "Winning the NEWMAC President's Cup is a
testament to the work ethic and dedication of our department and
our student-athletes. Wellesley student-athletes juggle rigorous
academic schedules with their passion for athletics, and work
incredibly hard to succeed in both realms. It is an honor for their
athletic achievements to be recognized at the highest level of the
conference."
The success continued into the winter, as the swimming & diving team placed third at the NEWMAC championship. Wellesley basketball also advanced to the tournament quarterfinals after finishing fourth in the regular seasons standings.
The Blue earned two more NEWMAC titles in the spring, as crew
won the league for the fourth year in a row and softball earned its
first conference crown since 2007. NEWMAC Coach of the Year, Tessa
Spillane, would go on to guide her crew team to a fourth-place
finish at the NCAA Division III championship. After winning both
the regular season and tournament championships, the softball squad
would finish as the runner-up at its NCAA regional
tournament.
"Winning the Presidents Cup is a huge testament to the depth
and strength of our Athletics program at Wellesley," noted
Spillane. "The dedication, passion, determination and enthusiasm of
our student-athletes, coaches and administrators and our atmosphere
of excellence is what has made this possible this
year."
Four Wellesley student-athletes, Nathalie Gruet, Emilyrose
Havrilla, Becca Kimball and Leslie Leong, earned NEWMAC Athlete of
the Year honors while two members of the Blue earned NEWMAC Rookie
of the Year honors. In addition, Wellesley set a program record for
All-Conference selections with 42.
"I am honored and thrilled to be a member of the Wellesley College
Community and Athletics program," said Head Softball
Coach Keri O'Meara, who was also named a 2014 NEWMAC Coach of
the Year. "Everyday I admire the students-athletes we are so
fortunate to coach. Winning the President's Cup is a testament to
their work ethic, drive, and ambitions, on and off of the
field."
The Presidents Cup is an all-sports award presented to the top overall men’s and women’s programs in the conference and is determined using a weighted points system based on the order of finish during both regular season and championship competition.