The Middlebury softball team achieved a historic milestone by winning its second NESCAC Championship, the first since 2011. The Panthers triumphed over Colby in a tense 11-inning battle, winning 6-4, before defeating Williams 7-5 in the championship game. Kristyn Carroll, who was named the NESCAC Player of the Year, played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, contributing a key RBI in the final against Williams. Emily Dowd and Jen Westphal also garnered NESCAC weekly honors for their performances, with Dowd earning Pitcher of the Week recognition after a stellar outing in the semifinals.
In women's tennis, four players received College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors. Anna Lardner, Charlotte McCann, Elsie Van Wieren, and Lulu Wu were recognized for their academic and athletic achievements. Lardner, a captain majoring in environmental studies, excelled in both singles and doubles, while McCann led the team with 20 individual victories this season. The recognition highlights the balance of academic excellence and athletic prowess within the program.
The men's tennis team also saw four players named to the CSC Academic All-District list: Hugh Hentschel, Noah Lewis, Thehan Wijemmane, and Julian Wu. Hentschel, an economics major, closed his career with 101 combined wins in singles and doubles, showcasing the team's strong academic and competitive performance.
Meanwhile, the #10 Middlebury women's golf team secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship after finishing as runner-up at the NESCAC Championship. Season Wei was named Co-Rookie of the Year, making history as the first golfer from Middlebury to earn this accolade. The Panthers will compete in the NCAA Championship starting May 19 in Palm Desert, California.
In men's lacrosse, the #19 Panthers' season came to an end with a 24-10 loss to #1 Tufts in the NCAA Third Round. Despite a strong start, Middlebury could not maintain momentum against the top-ranked Jumbos, concluding their campaign with a commendable record and playoff appearance.