Keuka College celebrated some of its top student-athletes Monday, May 4, during its annual Senior Dinner at Abandon Brewing Company in Penn Yan, highlighting athletic achievement, leadership, academic success and perseverance across the Wolves community.
Softball standout Olivia Flynn earned the Walt Scott Woman of the Year award after a decorated career both at the plate and in the pitching circle. Flynn graduated as Keuka’s career leader in doubles with 38 while finishing fifth in program history in both hits and strikeouts. She also collected multiple academic honors and earned All-Empire 8 recognition twice during her career.
Basketball star Akinlana Popoola received the Dana Schillinger Man of the Year award after making an immediate impact in two seasons with the Wolves. The Cleveland native scored 728 points during his Keuka career and earned All-Empire 8 honors in both seasons.
Women’s basketball players Elianna Wilder and Mary Cotter shared the Nancy Wightman Leadership Award. Wilder served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee while also working in the athletic training room. Cotter helped bring Morgan’s Message to campus and organized annual dedication games for Keuka teams.
Mets blank Blue Jays to even series The Rob Smets Heart of a Champion award went to Tyler Green, Parker Lahey and former professional boxer Ray Ciancaglini. Green and Lahey both persevered through career-ending concussions while remaining active leaders within athletics. Ciancaglini, who spoke at Keuka’s Concussion Symposium in April, continues advocating for concussion awareness nationwide.
“This team honors a student-athlete who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community. In addition, they ‘compete with honor and integrity’ and have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.”
The night also included the induction of 21 student-athletes into Chi Alpha Sigma and concluded with the Men’s Basketball team capturing the Wolves Cup following the program’s first Empire 8 Championship season.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.