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.