LEWISTON, Maine –  The Bates College Department of Athletics celebrated a year chock-full of achievement as the 2023-24 campaign culminated by showcasing the prowess and accomplishments of its Bobcats with the inaugural CATSBYS Awards last Wednesday evening, May 8.

Taking place on campus in the Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic Building, Bates student-athletes, coaches, administrators, staff, and dignitaries, came together for a jubilant dessert reception loaded with fellowship and cheer. Attendees had the chance to walk the red carpet and take photos as they entered the building.

Director of Athletics, Jason Fein, delivered opening remarks before introducing the event's masters of ceremony: Ella Blum '24 (Field Hockey), Cole De Magistris '24 (Football), and Simon McCormick '24 (Men's Basketball).  The Crosstones then performed a rousing a cappella rendition of Hozier's Someone New for the hundreds in attendance.

The awards ceremony would then commence with the following awards presented at the CATSBYS:

             

LEWISTON STRONG AWARD
Presented by Rachel Lowell '24 (Women's Soccer) and Noah Timmer '24 (Baseball), the Lewiston Strong Award is presented to one Bobcat from a women's team, and one from a men's program, that prioritizes service and engagement, both on campus and in the Lewiston-Auburn community.

Winner (Women's)
Bella Lomet '26 (Volleyball)

Nominees: Lindsey Aten '26 (Alpine Skiing) Summer Gordon '26 (Field Hockey), Bella Lomet '26 (Volleyball) 

Winner (Men's)
Parker Huynh-Benningfield '26 (Football)

Nominees: Denzel Evans '26 (Lacrosse), Parker Huynh-Benningfield 26 (Football), Quinn Macauley '24 (Swimming & Diving)


        

TEAM BREAKOUT AWARD
Presented by Rob Gillis '24 (Men's Alpine Skiing) and Logan Yogi '27 (Women's Volleyball), the Team Breakout Award is presented to one men's team, and one women's program, that has demonstrated success and achievement, while emerging as a top team (either in conference or on the national stage) since the spring of 2023. 

Winner (Men's)
Golf 

Nominees: Golf (3rd-place finish at 2024 NESCAC Championship Tournament), Swimming & Diving (4th-place finish at NESCAC Championship Meet), Rowing (3rd-place finish at 2023 IRA's)

Winner (Women's)
Field Hockey

Nominees: Basketball (advanced to 2024 NCAA DIII Championship Tournament Sweet Sixteen), Field Hockey (first appearance in NCAA DIII Championship Tournament), Softball (advanced to 2023 NESCAC Championship Tournament semifinals for first time in program history)



        

TEAM BOBCAT AWARD 
Presented by Tad Koenigsbauer '24 (Men's Squash) and Alex Voight-Shelley (Women's Golf), the Team Bobcat Award is presented to a student-athlete from both a women's and men's program that influences others to succeed. This individual drives their teammates, does the little things to be successful, motivates, leads by example, and possesses that "it" factor.

Winner (Women's)
Ally Friedman '24 (Tennis)

Nominees: Isla Cotter '24 (Lacrosse), Ally Friedman '24 (Tennis), Davina Kabantu (Basketball)

Winner (Men's)
Kevin O'Connor '25 (Track & Field)

Nominees: Cole De Magistris '24 (Football), Simon McCormick '24 (Basketball), Kevin O'Connor '25 (Track & Field)



            

MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by Andrew Frey '24 (Men's Rowing) and Lauren Wong '26 (Women's Lacrosse), the Moment of the Year highlights an individual moment from a game, match, or competition occurring over the last calendar year.

Winner (Men's)
Track & Field

Nominees: Tife Agunloye '25 (Soccer, buzzer-beater goal vs. UMaine-Farmington), Henry Ehrlich '26 (Golf, tied for first-place in NESCAC Championship Tournament), Track & Field Distance Medley Relay (4th-place finish at NCAA DIII Indoor Championships) 

Winner (Women's)
Field Hockey

Nominees: Basketball (Buzzer-beater win vs. Tufts), Olivia Cuneo '24 (Nordic Skiing, 2nd-place finish at Dartmouth Carnival), Field Hockey (Double OT victory vs. Bowdoin in NESCAC Tournament quarterfinals)



            

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Julia Johnson '24 (Women's Swimming & Diving) and Seba Niehenke '24 (Men's Soccer), the Rookie of the Year is presented to Bates' top first-year student-athlete who is a steady, consistent presence; a demonstrator of outstanding ability; and possesses high personal motivation and drive.

Winner (Women's)
Juliette Hoder '27 (Alpine Skiing)

Nominees:  Navya Gupta '27 (Squash), Juliette Hoder '27 (Alpine Skiing), Sarah Hughes '27 (Basketball)

Winner (Men's)
Marc Begin II '27 (Basketball)

Nominees: Marc Begin II '27 (Basketball), Seneca Moore '27 (Track & Field), Andrew Toland '27 (Lacrosse)



            

GAME OF THE YEAR
Presented by Alex Gujarathi '24 (Men's Tennis) and Andy Martagon '24 (Women's Squash).

Winner (Men's)
Basketball

Nominees: Basketball (OT win vs. Colby, Billy Selmon Celebration Game), Swimming & Diving (4th-place finish at NESCAC Championships, Golf (3rd-place finish in NESCAC Championship Meet)

Winner (Women's)
Basketball

Nominees: Basketball (home win vs. #10 Bowdoin in front of overflow crowd), Rowing (2v winning Grand Final in 2023 NCAA Championships), Softball (defeat of reigning-champion Amherst in first-round of 2023 NESCAC Tournament)




                        

MILTON L. LINDHOLM SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARDS 
Presented by Malcolm Hill, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty, the Milton L. Lindholm Scholar Athlete Awards have been given annually since 1976 to the senior men's team and senior women's team athletes with the highest grade point averages. The awards honor Milton L. Lindholm, Class of 1935, who served as Bates Dean of Admissions for 32 years.

Winner (Men's)
Matthew Danielson '24 (Tennis-4.00 GPA)

Winner(s) (Women's)
Grace Action '24 (Golf-4.00 GPA)
Nerea Barranco Aramburu '25 (Golf-4.00) **graduating in three years
Rachel Liazos '24 (Softball-4.00)




        

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Presented by Sarah Cooke '25 (Softball) and Owen Palmieri '24 (Lacrosse), the Most Valuable Player must have at least sophomore standing and may either be highly versatile or demonstrate excellence in one sport. The MVP must be a steady, consistent athlete; display good sportsmanship; have high personal motivation and drive; and maintain an attitude and character that represents the ideals of Bates College.

WINNER (Women's)
Grace Wenger '24 (Swimming & Diving)

Nominees: Anna Cote '25 (Field Hockey), Morgan Kennedy '24 (Basketball), Grace Wenger '24 (Swimming & Diving)

WINNER (Men's)
Ned Farrington '24 (XC/Track & Field)

Nominees: Max Cory '26 (Swimming & Diving), Ned Farrington '24 (XC/Track & Field), Cal Schrupp '24 (Nordic Skiing)





PRESIDENT'S CUP
Presented by President Garry W. Jenkins, the President's Cup is to be presented annually to the athletic program that has excelled in athletic competition, in the classroom, and in the community, while exemplifying leadership, dedication, values, and concern for their fellow Bobcats.

WINNER
Field Hockey