The William Smith College Athletic Department honored the top Heron student-athletes of 2009-10 tonight at the annual William Smith Athletic Awards Banquet. Senior soccer goalie Libby Greene received the Winn-Seeley Award for her achievements in service, leadership, athletics, and academics, while field hockey senior Kaitlyn Hamilton was presented with the Marion Harrison Greene '20 Award for her accomplishments and contributions that significantly impacted her team as well as William Smith Athletics.

A recognized leader and evocative speaker, Greene was selected to attend the 2009 NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference, and was chosen by her coaches to represent William Smith as a speaker at the 2008 NCAA Championship banquet. She also emceed the 2010 Heron Hall of Honor inductions and presented at the HWS Senior Symposium.

A psychology, religious studies, and women's studies triple-major, Greene is a three-time Liberty League All-Academic honoree, a Hersh Scholar, a member of both the Laurel Society and Hai Timiai, and was the recipient of the 2009 HWS Peace and Richard Heaton Religious Studies Prizes.

Greene is very active on campus and anywhere she goes. On campus, she is involved in CORE 20, SAAC, and SHAPE, has served as a sports broadcaster for WEOS/WHWS, and is an invaluable member of the a capella group 3 Miles Lost, for which she directs and arranges music. Globally, she volunteered at an AIDS hospital in the Dominican Republic and will soon travel to Haiti.

For Heron soccer, Greene has been the model for selfless participation and leadership. Though she did not play many minutes, she set the bar higher for standards of fitness, training tempos and productive perspectives.

A forward, Hamilton is a four-time All-Liberty League and National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region selection, gracing both organizations' first teams three times. She earned All-American honors from the NFHCA twice, and was tabbed the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2006.

A quiet leader, intense competitor, and inspirational teammate, Hamilton finished her career with 48 goals and 18 assists for 114 points. A starter in 74 consecutive games, she ranks sixth all-time in career goals, seventh in career points, and is tied for 15th in career assists. This fall, she represented William Smith at the National Senior All-Star Classic.

Hamilton's achievements in the classroom mirror her success on the field; she is a three-time member of both the NFHCA National Academic Squad and the Liberty League All-Academic Team. A sports and society major, she plans to pursue a master's degree at Ithaca College.

The Cynthia Oyler '93 Award is presented to the senior who will be continuing her education at the post-graduate level within the year and displays outstanding athletic abilities, excellent academic records and exemplary leadership. This year, the award went to senior rower Kirsten Cooper.

Cooper has earned a spot on the Dean's List seven times, and was twice named a Collegiate Rowing Coach's Association's (CRCA) National Scholar-Athlete. She combines high achievement in the classroom with personal excellence on the water; her refined technique helped her secure a seat in the top varsity boat. Cooper is a two-time medalist at the New York State Rowing Championships, and has guided William Smith to two national championship appearances. When she is not on the water, she volunteers at the Geneva Chinese Language School and is a member of the Asian Student Union as well as the Glassblowing Club. An Asian languages and cultures major with a double minor in international relations and English, Cooper is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She will travel to Nanjing, China, in the fall to attend Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies.

The Melissa Mulliken '80 Award was presented to junior soccer standout BreLynn Nasypany for participation, leadership, and off-field endeavors that supported the advancement of William Smith Athletics.

For the third straight year, Nasypany paced William Smith's offense, leading the team with seven goals, nine assists, and 23 points. A forward, Nasypany is a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American, and a three-time All-Liberty League first team and NSCAA All-Region honoree. She was tabbed the 2008 Liberty League Player of the Year and was voted the league's Rookie of the Year in 2007.

Additionally, Nasypany serves as the president of SAAC and is the student representative to the Committee on Athletics. She has also extended her influence into the community, creating and leading soccer clinics for Geneva youth. Nasypany enters her senior season already in the program's top-10 in goals (t-8th, 35), assists (t-9th, 19), and points (t-8th, 89).

Senior coxswain Abbie DiPalma was honored with the Evaleen C. Harrison '19 Scholar-Athlete Award for exemplifying a consistent commitment to the pursuit of excellence both in athletics and the classroom. DiPalma has competed in two NCAA Rowing Championships and was one of only two Division III participants at the US National Team's Freshman Camp. A medalist at both the state championships and Head of the Charles, she communicates tactics and technique changes while motivating her teammates to reach their potential.

DiPalma is a math major in the education program, and was twice named a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete. She is also a teaching assistant for the math and education departments and volunteers in a fifth grade classroom. DiPalma presented on issues in pedagogy and culture at the 2010 HWS Senior Symposium.

The Susan Bassett Award went to junior field hockey player Chelsea Snyder for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. Snyder is a member of SAAC and SHAPE, and volunteers with the Geneva Boys and Girls Club and Geneva Heroes. She helped organize the SAAC initiative for Haiti relief and served as a co-captain for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life team, helping to raise over $3,500 for the cause. Snyder also enjoyed cleaning up the Ohio River on alternative spring break.

A goalie, Snyder was named the Liberty League Co-Defensive Performer of the Week once this season, after recording 87 shutout minutes, nine saves, and two victories vs. Oswego and Oneonta. She earned a spot on the Liberty League All-Academic Team for the second straight year and NFHCA National Academic Squad honors for the third time.

The Betsy Mitchell '65 Award was presented to sophomore rower Kara Ruskin, whose success at William Smith has been characterized by meeting and overcoming personal challenges. She has seat-raced her way into the Heron varsity eight and has excelled in her team and campus leadership positions, adding volunteer work with Team Mussel and the Geneva Boys and Girls Club to her already full plate—all while displaying great personal strength to her team.

Sophomore basketball player Kristen Kush was presented with the Hazel Nettleship Hardy '65 Award, which is presented to the student in her middle years who has contributed to the growth of Heron athletics and is an excellent representative of William Smith athletics. A forward, Kush led William Smith and ranked eighth in the conference in scoring (13.1 ppg), and led the team and ranked fifth in the conference in field goal percentage (.455). She was also among the league leaders in rebounding (14th, 5.6 rpg) and steals (15th, 1.46 spg), earning All-Liberty League honorable mention.

In addition to her impact on the court, Kush is active both on campus and in the community. She is a chemistry teaching fellow, a member of the brass ensemble, teaches Kids' Science Camp, coordinates volunteers for an after-school youth program at St. Peter's Church called Neighbor's Night, and will be an organic chemistry research assistant with Professor Christine de Denus this summer. Kush also earned Liberty League All-Academic Team honors this year.

First-year swimmer Casey Sherwin was honored with the Stephanie Christie Award as William Smith's Rookie of the Year. She teamed with three of her teammates to establish a new school record in the 400-yard medley relay, breaking a 12-year-old mark. Sherwin was the fastest first year swimmer in the state in both the 50 and 100 backstroke and her times rank second in the history of William Smith swimming. Sherwin was the only first-year swimmer in New York to qualify for the state championship final heat, placing an impressive fifth. She earned Liberty League Rookie of the Week honors twice and led her team in scoring.

The Joseph N. Abraham Award was presented to senior soccer defender Hannah Vaughn, for persevering through injury. Vaughn was diagnosed with compartment syndrome between her sophomore and junior seasons. She never fully recovered after the surgery, which prevented her from performing at her full ability in her final two seasons. This fall, Vaughn stayed positive and continued to be a strong team leader as the Herons earned their third straight Liberty League Championship and record 20th NCAA Tournament appearance. She wrapped her career with a goal and an assist in 55 matches. Over the past four years, Vaughn and fellow seniors Greene and Katelyn Tyson (Leland/San Jose, Calif.) led William Smith to a 58-12-12 overall record, including a trip to the 2008 NCAA Tournament semifinals.

Every year, the Dean's Award goes to the William Smith team with the highest cumulative grade point average. This year, the basketball squad was honored after earning cumulative GPA of 3.564. All 11 Herons on the team posted a GPA of 3.1 or higher. The cross country team, which has won the award twice in the past five years, was second with a combined GPA of 3.448, while the soccer team was third with a 3.352 GPA.

More than 50 student-athletes were honored tonight, including team and individual awards.