Franklin, MA- The Dean College Department of Athletics & Recreation held it's 2025 Award Ceremony last Monday, April 28th. With close to 400 people in attendance, the department honored the hard work & success of all 16 athletic programs. The ceremony highlighted all the amazing moments, victories, challenges, and accolades collected by the student-athletes, coaches, and staff members. 

The ceremony kicked off with highlighting each program's "Team Recognition" Awards. Each Head Coach gives out a Team MVP, awarded to the team's most valuable player, and a "Most Improved" Award, given to an athlete who showcased the most improvement throughout their respective season. The following athletes received Team Recognition Awards:
 

Team	MVP Award	Most Improved Award
Men's Soccer	Ciaran Phibbs	Nate Bertune
Women's Soccer	Haley Gaunt	Kassidy Martins
Field Hockey	Emily Yazzetti	Jordan Boelig
Football	Joe Penton	Noah Pearson
Men's Volleyball	Noah Allan	Arthur Felicio
Women's Volleyball	Bella Driscoll	Emily Ball
Golf	Matthew Brangiforte	Ben Godburn
Men's Basketball	Frankie Idlett	Ja'maine Davenport
Women's Basketball	Alexandria Paquet	Maranda Cournoyer
JV Men's Basketball	Symere McClain Jr.	Ben Godburn
Men's Cross Country	Colin Cleary	Jacob Ruderman
Women's Cross Country	Isabella Nitschke	Katherine Moody
Men's Lacrosse	Aidan McCarthy	Ryan Clunie
Women's Lacrosse	Natalie Peterson	Alisha Caldeira
Baseball	Rylan Secovich	Nick Amendolara
Softball	Sydnee Ramos	Xandra Silva

After Team Recognition, the ceremony then jumped into the 2025 major award winners:

Dean Difference Award: presented to a student who is not a student-athlete, but through their efforts and dedication behind the scenes makes a positive contribution to the intercollegiate athletics program.
Nominees: Dylan Olson (Men's Basketball), Chris Tunley (Men's Soccer), Robert Canedo (Baseball), Kyle Howe/Trevor Cady (Softball)
WINNER: Dylan Olson (Men's Basketball Team Manager)















Peter Hexter '66 Campus Involvement Award: presented to a student-athlete who demonstrate a commitment to academics and athletics and is actively involved in Athletics & Recreation Department leadership opportunities, community service, and other campus activities.
Nominees: Madison Gilbert (Field Hockey), Nina Medeiros (Women's Soccer/Lacrosse), Harlan Nichols (Men's Basketball), Chris Tunley (Men's Soccer), Chris Carbone Jr. (Men's Lacrosse), Domenic Brazeau (Baseball)
WINNER: Nina Medeiros (Fairhaven, MA)


John Jackson Sportsmanship Award: Given in honor of former Director of Athletics, John Jackson, the award is presented annually to a student-athlete who has earned the respect of fellow student-athletes, coaches, and administration for superior athletics and for continually demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Nominees: Nina Medeiros (Women's Soccer), Madison Gilbert (Field Hockey), Harlan Nichols (Men's Basketball), Alexandria Paquet (Women's Basketball), Owen Brine (Men's Lacrosse), Nick Swain (Baseball)
WINNER: Harlan Nichols (Las Vegas, NV)


Dr. Karen L. Sykes Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award: Presented to a pair of graduating student-athletes who achieved the highest-grade point average while participating in varsity athletics.
WINNERS: Alyssa Ribarovski (Sydney, Austrailia) and Harlan Nichols (Las Vegas, NV)


Outstanding Senior Athlete Award: Given to two senior student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding athletic ability over the course of their entire career. The recipient of this award will be nominated by a coach and then selected by the Athletic Advisory Council. The award is based solely on athletic talent, ability, attitude, performance, and success. It is a token of hard work, good judgment, understanding, and determination. 
Nominees (Male): Aydin Medeiros (Men's Soccer), Nunu Coward-Jackson (Men's Volleyball), Alec Speirs (Men's Lacrosse), Joey Bossinas (Baseball)
Nominees (Female): Haley Gaunt (Women's Soccer), Alexandria Paquet (Women's Basketball), Bell Driscoll (Women's Volleyball), Natalie Peterson (Women's Lacrosse)
WINNERS: Natalie Peterson (Hudson, MA) and Alec Speirs (Old Lyme, CT)


Michelle Porter '90 Female Athlete of the Year: Presented annually to a student-athlete who is recognized by the College Community for superior athletic ability and outstanding contribution to their team/sport, in addition to demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Nominees: Haley Gaunt (Women's Soccer/Lacrosse), Sydnee Ramos (Field Hockey/Softball), Azaria Landry (Women's Basketball), Skylar Raskevitz (Women's Volleyball)
WINNER: Haley Gaunt (Johnston, RI)


Butchie Williams '75 Male Athlete of the Year: Presented annually to a student-athlete who is recognized by the College Community for superior athletic ability and outstanding contribution to their team/sport, in addition to demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Nominees: Frankie Idlett (Men's Basketball), Rylan Secovich (Baseball), Diego Alvarez-Segee (Men's Lacrosse)
WINNER: Diego Alvarez-Segee (Saugus, MA)



TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERIES FROM THE CEREMONY, CLICK HERE:

Chaves Media: https://brettchaves.smugmug.com/
Harrison Soep Photography: Athletic Awards - Dropbox

Broadcast Replay: HERE