April 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Felicia Prater
(305) 205-4236

Smith Hosts Academic Luncheon Honoring Student Athletes Who Excel in the Classroom

Northampton, MA: The Athletics Department hosted their annual Academic Luncheon today honoring all student-athletes who've earned a 3.5 or better grade point average and highlighted the success of 13 senior student-athletes.

Of the more than 300 student-athletes that represent Smith College, 78 of them were honored with certificates of appreciation for their hard work, efforts and commitment not only on the field or court but where it's most important, in the classroom. Coaches used the opportunity to speak on the individuality of each senior and what made her special. Stories included first impressions, experiences abroad in Florence, Italy, volunteering excursions in Costa Rica, interning in the Fiji Islands and co-authoring chapters in textbooks. The thirteen senior student-athletes honorees included crew athletes Eliza Bryant (E. Greenwich, RI), Chantel Pheiffer (Baltic, CT), Lela Schlenker (Norwich, VT) and Amanda Taus (Wellesley, MA), cross country runners Emily Yen (Potomac, MD) and Nora Youngs (Penacook, NH), Jessica MacLeod (Huntington, NY) and Mercedes Pepper (Mendocino, CA) from the squash team, swimmer Cheri Hardy (Lincoln, AR), softball player Jessie Paull (Mercer Island, WA), skier Katherine Lofgren (Denver, CO), Caitlin Ritchie (Meriden, CT) for track & field and Blair Rapalyea (Prides Crossing, MA) for lacrosse.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Rapalyea reflected on her time and experiences at Smith by commenting that "Smith gives me so much more than just the opportunity to play and that being on a team is like having a second family." Describing how athletics has helped her academically, she commented that "athletics gave me structure, offered me the impetus to get my work done and made me realize that Smith athletics is bigger than just one person; it's about playing for your team, coaches and your school."

The next event honoring student athletes is the Athletic Banquet on April 28, 2009.