MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – The NEWMAC is pleased to announce the 12 women's sport institutional nominees for the annual NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year Award. The award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership and service.
An Awards Committee comprised of Athletic Communicators from across the conference reviews the nominees annually and selects the NEWMAC's honorees. The conference office will announce the 2025-2026 NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year recipient(s) on Thursday, July 30. The recipient(s) of the 2025-2026 award will become the NEWMAC's nominee(s) for the Division III Commissioners Association Student-Athlete of the Year award.
2025-2026 NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year Nominees – Women's Sports
Patricia Bandrup – Wheaton College – Women's Soccer
Bandrup graduated with a 3.8 GPA while majoring in Economics with a minor in the Global Fashion Industry and Italian. A two-year team captain, First Team All-NEWMAC selection, and United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree, Bandrup helped lead Wheaton's women's soccer program through a successful collegiate career. Leadership extended beyond the pitch through mentorship of teammates and a commitment to fostering a supportive team culture built on trust, resilience, and accountability.
Lilly Bedard – Babson College – Women's Lacrosse
Bedard graduated with a perfect 4.00 GPA while studying Business Administration, Economics, and People, Leadership & Organizations. A standout on the field and in the classroom, Bedard balanced academic excellence with leadership throughout Babson's women's lacrosse program. Musical accomplishments, mentorship of younger teammates, and perseverance through personal adversity reflected a commitment to leading with resilience, compassion, and purpose.
Matia Cristiani – Babson College – Women's Tennis
Cristiani graduated with a 3.05 GPA in Sports Management and Marketing while establishing one of the most decorated careers in Babson women's tennis history. The ITA National Player of the Year and NCAA Singles National Champion helped lead the Beavers to the NEWMAC Championship and the program's first NCAA National Semifinal appearance. Competitive excellence was matched by sportsmanship and a team-first approach that helped Babson reach unprecedented success on the national stage.
Julia Decker – Salve Regina University – Field Hockey
Decker earned a 3.4 GPA while majoring in Nursing with a minor in Health Administration. A two-time Salve Regina Female Athlete of the Year and one of the most accomplished players in program history, Decker combined athletic excellence with compassionate leadership as team captain. Volunteer work, mentorship, and a commitment to serving others reflected a journey defined by resilience, perseverance, and empathy.
Yasmin Defne Dadikhi – Emerson College – Cross Country
Dadikhi earned a 3.775 GPA while majoring in Theatre Performance and emerged as one of the nation's top distance runners after discovering cross country in college. An All-American and accomplished marathoner, Dadikhi combined artistic pursuits with athletic success while inspiring teammates through an unconventional path. International competition and a passion for encouraging others demonstrated leadership that extended well beyond the finish line.
Amelia DeRosa – Springfield College – Softball
DeRosa graduated with a 3.869 GPA while majoring in English and Secondary Education. A three-time CSC Academic All-District selection, NFCA Scholar-Athlete, and NEWMAC Academic All-Conference honoree, DeRosa balanced academic achievement with success on the softball field. Leadership extended beyond competition through undergraduate research presented at Springfield's Scholars in Action, teaching assistant and student teaching experiences, and service at youth softball camps, Girls in Sports Day, and senior citizen communities. A passion for education and mentorship continues through coaching the next generation of student-athletes.
Destiny Lum – WPI – Softball
Lum earned a 3.53 GPA in Civil Engineering while excelling as one of WPI's top softball student-athletes. Leadership on the field was matched by involvement in campus organizations and community service opportunities that reflected a commitment to supporting others. Academic success, athletic achievement, and service combined to exemplify the values of the NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
Lyda Martin – Smith College – Cross Country & Track & Field
Martin graduated with a 3.99 GPA in English while establishing a distinguished career in both cross country and track & field. Leadership through perseverance, particularly following injury, helped inspire teammates and strengthen Smith's program. A passion for mentorship and academic excellence reflected a commitment to helping others reach their full potential.
Annika Naveen – MIT – Women's Swimming & Diving
Naveen maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in Biological Engineering with minors in Computer Science and Finance. A three-time NCAA relay national champion and member of MIT's 2025 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving National Championship team, Naveen combined academic excellence with undergraduate research and community outreach. Resilience, mentorship, and a passion for advancing STEM opportunities highlighted an exceptional collegiate career.
Elle Rimando – Mount Holyoke College – Track & Field
Rimando earned a 3.80 GPA while majoring in Architectural Studies with a minor in Mathematics. A standout in both volleyball and track & field, Rimando embraced leadership across multiple seasons while helping elevate Mount Holyoke's athletic programs. Commitment to teamwork, perseverance, and supporting fellow student-athletes reflected a lasting impact on the campus community.
Kate Sanderson – MIT – Cross Country & Track & Field
Sanderson excelled academically earning a 4.0 GPA in Biological Engineering with a minor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and a concentration in Theatre Arts. A leader on MIT's cross country and track & field teams, Sanderson paired research excellence with a passion for mentoring first-year students and expanding academic resources across campus. Leadership rooted in collaboration and service demonstrated a commitment to improving the student experience for future generations.
Emily Brydges – Wellesley College – Cross Country & Track & Field
Brydges graduated with a 3.96 GPA while double majoring in Economics and Mathematics. Success as a student-athlete was complemented by undergraduate research, economics tutoring, and internships with the American Economic Association and the Federal Reserve. Leadership through mentorship and a commitment to helping classmates and teammates succeed reflected the values that define the NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with seven Associate Members: New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.