COMPLETE LIST OF 2014 NESCAC FALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

Of the 758 student-athletes named to the team, 227 were honored for the second time in their career, while 137 were recognized for the third time. In addition, 80 members of the group garnered both All-Academic and All-NESCAC accolades this fall, led by 17 student-athletes from Middlebury and Williams. A total of 52 individuals were named to both the All-Sportsmanship and All-Academic Teams by the conference.

Five individuals were selected to all three squads. That elite group included senior Jake Goldenring of Williams (men’s golf), senior Aldis Inde of Williams (men’s cross country), senior Astrid Kempainen of Connecticut College (women’s soccer), junior Katie Warshaw of Amherst (volleyball) and senior Kellie Walsh of Colby (field hockey).

The 2014 Fall All-Academic Team includes two NESCAC Players of the Year, three NESCAC Most Outstanding Performers and a NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Williams’ Colin Cotton had an impressive end to his cross country career by finishing second at the NCAA Championship with a time of 23:51.3, while helping the team place sixth. He became the first Eph to claim the NESCAC men’s individual title since 2005 with a time of 24:56.8, earning NESCAC Performer of the Year accolades while posting his third all-conference performance to go along with 2011 NESCAC Rookie of the Year recognition. Cotton’s performance also contributed to Williams winning the conference crown. He went on to win the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship (25:10.0) to help the Ephs earn an at-large berth to the National Championship.

Senior Alison Maxwell wrapped up her career with the Middlebury cross country team that finished sixth at the National Championship. Over the course of the season, she was named NESCAC Performer of the Year, as she won the conference championship by 17 seconds. Two weeks later, she was second at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship with a time of 21:48.9 to help the Panthers finish second and secure a spot in the National Championship. She finished 33rd overall (22:25.1) at the national meet to secure All-America honors.

Connecticut College’s Astrid Kempainen helped the Camel women’s soccer team capture its first NESCAC Championship this season en route to being named the NESCAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Year. Kempainen tallied 20 points with a league-best ten assists during her senior campaign, while three of her five goals on the season were game-winning markers. She was the second Connecticut College women’s soccer player to garner Player of the Year accolades.

Greg Conrad became the fourth player in Middlebury men’s soccer history to garner NESCAC Player of the Year honors. In just his sophomore season, Conrad is tied for the league-lead with 22 points, while his eight goals tie him for second in the league. His best performance of the season came in the Panthers’ final conference contest when he scored three goals against Wesleyan in a 3-1 decision to help Middlebury clinch home field advantage in the NESCAC quarterfinals. Conrad also dished out a team-best six assists in 2014, which placed him tied for second among his NESCAC peers. He earned at least a point in eight games this year.

Senior Sophie Doering of Trinity was named the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year in field hockey after serving a pivotal player for the Bantams at both ends of the field. She contributed three defensive saves and recorded 19 points on five goals and nine assists, and became just the second Trinity field hockey player to earn the honor.

Williams sophomore Grant Raffel earned medalist honors at the NESCAC Golf Championship qualifier with a two-day score of 145 to earn NESCAC Player of the Year accolades. He fired a tournament-best 70 (-2) on the second day of play, erasing a three-stroke deficit following a round of 75 (+3) the first day. He is the third Eph to receive the award.

Founded in 1971, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) consists of 11 liberal arts colleges and has consistently reflected its commitment to the values of athletics and academic achievement. The member colleges of the conference are Amherst College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Trinity College, Tufts University, Wesleyan University, and Williams College.