Athletics Honors 2024-25 Season at The Arnies

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – On Wednesday, April 30, the UMass Dartmouth Athletics Department hosted their annual awards ceremony, The Arnies at the MacLean Campus Center. Highlighting the event was the inaugural Outstanding Career Award presented to Kate Wade and Dante Aviles-Santos. Below is a full recap of the awards with the winners and finalists in each category.
 
Outstanding Career Award - WINNERS: Kate Wade and Dante Aviles-Santos
 
Finalists from a women's team: Teja Andrews (Women's Basketball), Kinu Takasugi (Softball), Kate Wade (Women's Volleyball)
 
Kate Wade is the 2025 Outstanding Career Award recipient from a women's team. Wade, who hails from San Clemente, Calif., made history for the Corsairs, becoming one of the first student-athletes to earn Honorable Mention All-America honors. A three-time All-Little East First Team selection, she became the first player in program history to record both 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. In 107 matches during her tenure, she tallied 1,184 kills, 1.071 digs, 163 service aces and 85 blocks. Wade helped lead UMass Dartmouth to two Little East Conference titles – earning Tournament Most Outstanding Player both times – as the Corsairs made back-to-back NCAA Appearances.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Dante Aviles-Santos (Football), Isaac Percy (Men's Basketball), Connor Richard (Men's Outdoor Track & Field)
 
Dante Aviles-Santos is the 2025 Outstanding Career Award winner from a men's team. Aviles-Santos, from Cumberland, R.I., graduates as one of the most prolific passers in UMass Dartmouth history, graduating with many of the program's career records, including passing yards and passing touchdowns. A four-year starter, he completed 735 attempts for 10,580 yards and 116 touchdowns in 44 career games. The three-time MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year was 37-6 as a starter and helped the Corsairs win three conference titles and advance to three postseason games. During his senior season, he was the New England Football Writers' Harry Agganis-Harold Zimman Award winner, presented to the Most Outstanding Player in New England – regardless of Division – while also being named a semifinalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy.

 
Athletic Performer of the Year Award - WINNERS: Emily Pogorelec and Angel Sanchez
 
Finalists from a women's team: Maddy Allen (Women's Lacrosse), Emily Pogorelec (Women's Volleyball), Carly Whiteside (Women's Basketball)
 
Emily Pogorelec was tabbed the 2025 Athletic Performer of the Year Award recipient from a women's team after becoming one of the first players in program history to earn Honorable Mention All-America honors, helping lead the Corsairs to their second straight conference tournament title. The three-time Little East Conference Defensive Player of the Year led all players in digs and digs per set, registering 560 digs overall. During the season, she not only eclipsed the 1,000 career digs mark, but later surpassed 1,500 career digs – a mark that has not been reached in the modern era of Corsairs volleyball. An All-LEC First Team honoree, Pogorelec was an All-Region 1 First Team selection and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. 
 
Finalists from a men's team: Angel Sanchez (Football), Tyler Stewart (Men's Hockey), Joseph Uwanogho (Men's Indoor Track & Field)
 
Angel Sanchez is the 2025 Athletic Performer of the Year Award winner from a men's team. An elite wide receiver from Providence, R.I., Sanchez became just the third All-American in program history. The three-time All-Region selection caught 81 passes for 1,088 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He eclipsed 100 receiving yards in seven games and became the program's all-time leader in career receiving yards in a 51-7 win over Bridgewater State after posting 133 yards with a touchdown against the Bears. Sanchez, who posted multiple touchdowns over five contests including three against Worcester State - recorded a season-high 144 yards against Springfield in the NCAA Tournament.

 
Coaches Award - WINNERS: Teja Andrews and Jake Paris (Men's Cross Country/Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field)
 
Finalists from a women's team: Teja Andrews (Women's Basketball), Jenna Carvalho (Field Hockey) and Julia Driscoll (Softball)
 
Teja Andrews was selected as the 2025 Coaches Award winner from a women's team. Hailing from Plymouth, Mass., Andrews was atwo-time captain – the person you turn to when you need something done, and the one who leads by example in every way. Deeply committed to her studies, she mastered the balance between academics and athletics while giving her full effort to everything she did. As a teammate, Andrews was truly special, making everyone around her feel seen, valued, and included—she's the glue that not only holds a team together but elevates it to new heights. On the court, her impact was just as impressive as she graduates in May as the fifth leading scorer in program history and a multiple All-Region and All-LEC honoree.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Jake Paris (Men's Cross Country/Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field), Joseph Uwanogho (Men's Indoor Track & Field), Devyn Vezina (Baseball)
 
Jake Paris is the 2025 Coaches Award recipient from a men's team. Paris, who hails from Pittsfield, Mass., has a love for his teammates that is unmatched. He works constantly to bring the team together and is the first to check in on someone who may be struggling. As a captain of the cross country and track & field squads, he does just show up – he shows out. A voice for his team, his leadership extends far beyond athletics, helping to tutor teammates, keeping everyone focused and fired up. He has developed into a leader who lifts others up, in every sense of the word.

 
Senior Scholar-Athlete Award - WINNERS: Bee Greenberg and Justin Petrillo
 
Finalists from a women's team: Mia DiBiase (Women's Lacrosse), Bee Greenberg (Women's Cross Country/Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field), Kaitlyn Nguyen (Women's Soccer)
 
Bee Greenberg is the 2025 Senior Scholar-Athlete Award winner from a women's team. A native of Mansfield, Mass., Greenberg is a Computer Science, with a minor in Mathematics. Owning an incredible 3.99 cumulative grade point average, they have earned seven Chancellor's List distinctions. Greenberg is a two-time All-Little East honoree in cross county and a 2025 Little East Champion in the 4x800-meter relay in outdoor track & field. Bee also ranks among the top 10 in Corsair history in the steeplechase, indoor 5,000-meters and outdoor 10,000-meters – all while being an eight-time All-Academic selection.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Xavier Manuel (Men's Indoor Track & Field), Jake Paris (Men's Cross Country/Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field), Justin Petrillo (Men's Soccer)
 
Justin Petrillo is the 2025  Senior Scholar-Athlete Award recipient from a men's team. A Marketing major with a minor in management from Marshfield, Mass., Petrillo served as a team captain for the men's soccer program this fall. On the field, he was second on the Corsairs in scoring with four goals and three assists for 11 points in 14 matches. Off the field, he earned seven academic distinctions with a 3.66 cumulative grade point average, including five Chancellor List honors, and recognition on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.
 
Rookie of the Year - WINNERS: Olivia Seutter and Ancil Alexander
 
Finalists from a women's team: Kenzie Bliven (Field Hockey), Jenny Lipanovich (Women's Lacrosse), Olivia Seutter (Women's Volleyball and Track & Field)
 
Olivia Seutter was tabbed the 2025 Rookie of the Year from a women's team. The Mesa, Ariz., native became just the third Corsair in volleyball program history to earn the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year award while helping the Corsairs capture their second straight conference title. An impact player from the start on the court, she concluded her rookie season ranked among the Little East leaders in kills, points and points per set, earning All-LEC First Team and AVCA All-Region honors. A three-sport athlete, Seutter has also been a consistent contributor to the track & field teams in throwing events – earning All-LEC Third Team honors in the discus throw at the 2025 LEC Outdoor Championships.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Ancil Alexander (Men's Outdoor Track & Field), Camden DiChiara (Men's Basketball), Sean Patrone (Men's Indoor Track & Field).
 
Ancil Alexander is the 2025 Rookie of the Year from a men's team. The Taunton, Mass., native etched his name into the Corsair record books in the discus on his very first collegiate attempt in the discus throw. Currently, Alexander is undefeated in the discus through six meets and ranks fourth nationally in Division III with a season-best throw of 52.94 meters. He also registered a personal best throw of 16.43 meters in the shot put to post the second-best throw in Corsair history and rank No. 14 in Division III. Both throws came at the Little East Outdoor Championships as he was crowned the conference champion in both events, while also setting the championship record in the discus throw.

 
Coaching Staff of the Year Award – WINNERS: Women's Basketball and Baseball
 
Finalists from a women's team: Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Volleyball
 
The Women's Basketball Coaching Staff is the 2025 Coaching Staff of the Year Award recipients from a women's program. Under the leadership of Matt Ducharme, the women's basketball program captured its first Little East Conference Championship and earned a second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. The Corsairs posted an outstanding 23-5 record, sharing of the regular season conference title with a 14-2 mark. In the championship game, UMass Dartmouth delivered a commanding performance, defeating Southern Maine 94-50— the second highest margin over victory in conference history.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Baseball, Football, Men's Track & Field
 
The Baseball Coaching Staff is the 2025 Coaching Staff of the Year Award winners from a men's program. Under the guidance of Bob Prince, the Corsairs captured the 2024 Little East Championship for just the second time in program history, earning a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time in nearly 25 years. Their postseason run was highlighted by a thrilling victory over nationally-ranked Babson, capping off an impressive 25-20-1 season with multiple honors – including the 2024 Little East Pitcher of the Year in Adam Maher. In 2025, they've kept the momentum going, putting together a strong showing in conference play.

 
True Grit Award – WINNERS: Mia DiBiase and Devyn Vezina
 
Finalists from a women's team: Mia DiBiase (Women's Lacrosse), Kaylin Zalewski (Basketball), Jillian Walsh (Softball)
 
Mia DiBiase is the 2025 True Grit Award winner from a women's program. The Seekonk, Mass., native is the definition of a leader in the weight room. She is vocal, hardworking, and a great teammate. This has been one of best years ever for the Women's Lacrosse team in the strength and conditioning program, and much of that success can be attributed to DiBiase's leadership. Even after an injury ended her season, she stayed present—showing up every day to support and inspire her teammates.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Connor Little (Hockey), Devyn Vezina (Baseball), Vincenzo Videtta (Men's Track & Field)
 
Devyn Vezina is the 2025 True Grit Award winner from a men's program. A native of Coventry, R.I., Vezina is a two-time nominee for this award and has been a steady source of leadership, respect, and drive for the Baseball team over the past four years. His presence and leadership in the weight room are major reasons why Baseball has been a two-time Armada Award-winning team and is a three-time nominee. Vezina's consistency and commitment set the tone for his entire program.

 
Strength and Conditioning Armada Award – WINNERS: Softball and Baseball
 
Finalists from a women's team: Women's Basketball, Softball, Volleyball
Finalists from a men's team: Baseball, Football, Men's Track & Field (Sprints/Jumps)

The Armada Award is presented to the best women's and men's programs in the strength and conditioning program. Both the softball and baseball programs this year excelled in the five key areas that exemplify the Armada Award – Teamwork, Effort, Accountability, Consistency and Attention to Detail.

 
Team GPA Award – WINNERS: Softball and Men's Ice Hockey
 
Finalists from a women's team: Field Hockey, Softball, Swimming
 
Softball is the 2025 Team GPA Award winner. For the second consecutive year, the softball program earned the highest academic team distinction within the department. Under direction of Rachael Powers, the team posted a cumulative GPA of 3.61. Seven student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0, and 15 of the 18 players earned Dean's or Chancellor's List honors.
 
Finalists from a men's team: Men's Cross Country, Men's Ice Hockey, Men's Track & Field
 
Men's Ice Hockey is the 2025 Team GPA Award winner from a men's team – winning the award in its inaugural year. Under the leadership of Erik Noack, the hockey team posted a 3.46 cumulative grade point average. Six players earned a perfect 4.0 and 24 of 28 student-athletes landed on either the Dean's List or Chancellor's List honors. That's the kind of performance that sets the standard for years to come.


Corsairs Department Member of the Year Award – WINNER: Stephanie Bailey
 
Finalists: Stephanie Bailey (Accounting), Amy Sasin (Associate Athletic Director for Facilities), Amanda Van Voorhis (Associate Athletic Director for Compliance)
 
Stephanie Bailey serves as the accountant and business professional for the operation of the Corsairs Athletic Department.  She is the backbone of the department's financial operations and her attention to detail is only surpassed by her proactive mindset and solution-focused attitude. Bailey doesn't just respond to issues—she anticipates them, finds answers, and keeps everything running smoothly for student-athletes, coaches and staff within the department.

 
Student-Worker of the Year Award - WINNER: Matt Cadet
 
Finalists: Matt Cadet (Athletic Communications), Yasin Mahmoud (Aquatics/Lifeguard), Kyle Rhines (Sports Medicine)
 
Cadet served as a student assistant in the Athletic Communications Office for three years, providing invaluable support in promoting all 19 Corsair programs. His passion and professionalism are unmatched. In the fall of 2024, Cadet served as a Communications Intern with the Boston Celtics, while also attending classes and helping with athletic communications. Recently, he was selected to participate in the NCAA Division III/College Sports Communicators Student Program and will attend the CSC Convention in Orlando in June.