Middlebury women's ice hockey forward Meg Simon has been named the 2026 recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award, making her the first athlete in the school's history to receive this honor. The award recognizes Simon's extensive community service efforts, including her role as Co-Chair of Volunteering for the women's ice hockey team. She is the second NESCAC athlete to achieve this accolade, following William Bruce from Williams in 2008. Simon expressed her gratitude, stating, "I feel incredibly fortunate to receive the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award. I'm proud to represent my family, Middlebury Athletics, the NESCAC, and Division III as a whole while continuing to bring the magic of hockey to others."
In men's lacrosse, the 18th-ranked Panthers secured a decisive 16-9 victory over Colby on April 11. Middlebury established an early lead, scoring six unanswered goals within the first quarter. Brendan Hickey, Logan White, and Ged Gengras contributed to the scoring spree, while goalie Hayden Kern made key saves to maintain the advantage. The Panthers continued to dominate, extending their lead to 10-2 before Colby managed to respond. The win reinforces Middlebury's position in the NESCAC standings as they prepare for their next matchup.
The Middlebury softball team had a mixed weekend, sweeping Bates in a doubleheader on April 12 after splitting a pair of games against Bowdoin on April 11. In the opener against Bates, Mia Gilham delivered a complete-game shutout, leading the Panthers to a narrow 1-0 win. The second game saw Middlebury's offense come alive, resulting in a 7-3 victory. In the doubleheader against Bowdoin, the Panthers lost the first game 4-3 in extra innings but rebounded with a 4-2 win in the nightcap, showcasing their resilience and depth.
In track and field, both the men's and women's teams delivered strong performances at the UMass Commonwealth Invitational. The men's team set a program record in the 4x100-meter relay and achieved multiple event victories, including Lachlan Bishop's win in the 800 meters. The women's team also excelled, with Claire Palmer winning the 5,000 meters and several athletes securing top-three finishes. These results highlight the depth and talent within Middlebury's track and field programs as they continue their competitive season.
In football, Anthony Marsella has been promoted to offensive coordinator after nine seasons with the program, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of Middlebury's football culture. Head Coach Doug Mandigo expressed confidence in Marsella's ability to lead the offense moving forward, emphasizing his intelligence and attention to detail. This transition marks a new chapter for the Panthers as they prepare for the upcoming season.