University of New Hampshire Athletics
2023 WESPY Award Winners Announced
5/10/2023 10:51:00 AM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Soccer, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Ice Hockey, Women's Swimming and Diving, Skiing
DURHAM, N.H. – Senior Kylie Gorgenyi (North Reading, Mass.) of the gymnastics team and Scott Schulz of the men's skiing team were named recipients of the 2023 Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year Award at the University of New Hampshire athletic department's fifth annual Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs, on Tuesday night.
The event, emceed by Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications Mike Murphy, was held at Lundholm Gym to celebrate UNH's outstanding athletic achievements of the 2022-23 season and honor student-athletes of the senior class.
A new addition to this year's Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs was the announcement of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society inductees; a total of 82 student-athletes were named with a breakdown of 47 juniors and 35 seniors.The society consists of junior and senior student-athletes from a wide range of sports and majors. The members must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character.
The event, emceed by Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications Mike Murphy, was held at Lundholm Gym to celebrate UNH's outstanding athletic achievements of the 2022-23 season and honor student-athletes of the senior class.
A new addition to this year's Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs was the announcement of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society inductees; a total of 82 student-athletes were named with a breakdown of 47 juniors and 35 seniors.The society consists of junior and senior student-athletes from a wide range of sports and majors. The members must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character.
2023 UNH Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs: Award Recipients
Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year: Kylie Gorgenyi, Scott Schulz
Cathy Coakley Student-Athlete Community Involvement Award: Ava Boutilier
Tina True Award: Jamy Lum, Scott Schulz
Athletic Director's Award for Academic Excellence: Nicky Harnett, Lisa Olsson, Andrew Meyer
Coaches Award: Nicky Harnett, Eli Goldman
Performer of the Year: Jasmine Lyons, Dylan Laube
Rookie of the Year: Tasmin Cookman, Joey Corcoran
Highlight of the Year: Kylie Gorgenyi's 9.950 on uneven bars to tie the gymnastics program record Feb. 5 at Texas Woman's
Event of the Year: Swimming and diving team wins a fourth consecutive America East championship title (Feb. 22-25)
CLICK HERE to watch the 2023 WESPYs
CLICK HERE to view a list of 2023 finalists
CLICK HERE to view a list of past recipients
CLICK HERE to view list of Chi Alpha Sigma honorees
Photo Gallery (coming soon)
JIM URQUHART STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
This award, which has been the most prestigious student-athlete award at UNH since its inception in 1999, is given to both the most outstanding female and male senior student-athlete based on athletic success, community involvement and academic achievement through their Wildcat careers.
It is named in memory of longtime UNH coach Jim Urquhart, who coached the New Hampshire men's lacrosse team for 17 years and wrestling team for 11 seasons before taking the position of Associate Director of Event Management in 1997.
Kylie Gorgenyi was a major contributor to the gymnastics program all four years as a Wildcat by competing in all four events with a focus on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. She is a passionate and determined athlete – and powerful gymnast – whose support and encouragement pushes her teammates and she demonstrates how to succeed through hard work.
Gorgenyi was an NCAA individual qualifier every year and this year she tied for fourth place in bars at the NCAA Norman Regional with a score of 9.900. Her senior season highlights also included matching the UNH bars record with a 9.995 in the Feb. 5 meet at Texas Woman's; one of the two judges gave Gorgenyi's routine a perfect 10.
Gorgenyi's other personal bests include a 9.875 on both vault and balance beam, a 9.900 on floor and 39.250 in all-around.
She was named to a total of 10 All-EAGL teams: First Team vault (2020, 2021 and 2022); First Team bars (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023); First Team all-around (2021); Second Team vault (2023); and Second Team floor (2023).
Gorgenyi also earned a spot on five EAGL all-tournament teams: First Team bars (2022 and 2023); Second Team vault (2022 and 2023); Second Team floor (2023); note – the EAGL Championships were canceled in 2020 and UNH did not compete at the 2021 meet.
In the classroom, Gorgenyi has compiled a 3.32 cumulative GPA while pursuing a degree in kinesiology: sport management and leadership with a minor in nutrition. Her academic accolades include WCGA Scholastic All-American and EAGL All-Scholastic Team.
Gorgenyi's community service included House of Hope and The Boston Project, as well as assisting with the Dover Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Hampton Beach Marathon and Durham Trunk or Treat. She also dedicated time to both Adventures in Mission (in New Orleans) and World Servants (in the Dominican Republic).
Gorgenyi becomes the third gymnast to receive the Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year Award; the previous honorees were Amanda Hall (2006) and Danielle Mulligan (2019).
Scott Schulz qualified for and competed at the NCAA Skiing Championships all four years. He was also UNH's men's Nordic team point leader every year. He was named to the 2023 EISA All-East First Team following a stellar senior carnival season, and he earned a spot on the All-East Second Team as a junior in 2022.
This past year, Schulz ranked fifth in the EISA with 265 points as he recorded 11 top-10 finishes, including three on the podium (top three). He raced to second place in the 5K skate at the UNH Carnival and also finished second in the 10K classic at the Williams Carnival. Schulz placed third in the 10K stake at the Bates Carnival. His other top-five efforts included fourth place in the 10K skate at Williams and fifth placed in the classic races at both the St. Michael's Carnival and Harvard Carnival.
As a testimony to his consistency through four years, Schulz also recorded 11 top-10 finishes as a freshman in 2020, when he was the UNH top men's Nordic racer in 9 of 12 individual races, posted two top-5 efforts and ranked 11th in the EISA.
In the classroom, Schulz has a 3.65 cumulative GPA while studying to earn a degree in recreation management and policy: program and event management – with a minor in entrepreneurship. He was named to the NCAA All-Academic Team three times.
Schulz was involved in the UNH ski team community service all four years. This involved cleaning up at local elementary schools in the fall and then interacting and skiing with local school children during the winter.
Schulz is the fourth men's skier to receive this prestigious award; the previous recipients were Greg Blaisdell (2003), Sean McNamara (2009), Coley Oliver (2015).
This award, which has been the most prestigious student-athlete award at UNH since its inception in 1999, is given to both the most outstanding female and male senior student-athlete based on athletic success, community involvement and academic achievement through their Wildcat careers.
It is named in memory of longtime UNH coach Jim Urquhart, who coached the New Hampshire men's lacrosse team for 17 years and wrestling team for 11 seasons before taking the position of Associate Director of Event Management in 1997.
Kylie Gorgenyi was a major contributor to the gymnastics program all four years as a Wildcat by competing in all four events with a focus on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. She is a passionate and determined athlete – and powerful gymnast – whose support and encouragement pushes her teammates and she demonstrates how to succeed through hard work.
Gorgenyi was an NCAA individual qualifier every year and this year she tied for fourth place in bars at the NCAA Norman Regional with a score of 9.900. Her senior season highlights also included matching the UNH bars record with a 9.995 in the Feb. 5 meet at Texas Woman's; one of the two judges gave Gorgenyi's routine a perfect 10.
Gorgenyi's other personal bests include a 9.875 on both vault and balance beam, a 9.900 on floor and 39.250 in all-around.
She was named to a total of 10 All-EAGL teams: First Team vault (2020, 2021 and 2022); First Team bars (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023); First Team all-around (2021); Second Team vault (2023); and Second Team floor (2023).
Gorgenyi also earned a spot on five EAGL all-tournament teams: First Team bars (2022 and 2023); Second Team vault (2022 and 2023); Second Team floor (2023); note – the EAGL Championships were canceled in 2020 and UNH did not compete at the 2021 meet.
In the classroom, Gorgenyi has compiled a 3.32 cumulative GPA while pursuing a degree in kinesiology: sport management and leadership with a minor in nutrition. Her academic accolades include WCGA Scholastic All-American and EAGL All-Scholastic Team.
Gorgenyi's community service included House of Hope and The Boston Project, as well as assisting with the Dover Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Hampton Beach Marathon and Durham Trunk or Treat. She also dedicated time to both Adventures in Mission (in New Orleans) and World Servants (in the Dominican Republic).
Gorgenyi becomes the third gymnast to receive the Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year Award; the previous honorees were Amanda Hall (2006) and Danielle Mulligan (2019).
Scott Schulz qualified for and competed at the NCAA Skiing Championships all four years. He was also UNH's men's Nordic team point leader every year. He was named to the 2023 EISA All-East First Team following a stellar senior carnival season, and he earned a spot on the All-East Second Team as a junior in 2022.
This past year, Schulz ranked fifth in the EISA with 265 points as he recorded 11 top-10 finishes, including three on the podium (top three). He raced to second place in the 5K skate at the UNH Carnival and also finished second in the 10K classic at the Williams Carnival. Schulz placed third in the 10K stake at the Bates Carnival. His other top-five efforts included fourth place in the 10K skate at Williams and fifth placed in the classic races at both the St. Michael's Carnival and Harvard Carnival.
As a testimony to his consistency through four years, Schulz also recorded 11 top-10 finishes as a freshman in 2020, when he was the UNH top men's Nordic racer in 9 of 12 individual races, posted two top-5 efforts and ranked 11th in the EISA.
In the classroom, Schulz has a 3.65 cumulative GPA while studying to earn a degree in recreation management and policy: program and event management – with a minor in entrepreneurship. He was named to the NCAA All-Academic Team three times.
Schulz was involved in the UNH ski team community service all four years. This involved cleaning up at local elementary schools in the fall and then interacting and skiing with local school children during the winter.
Schulz is the fourth men's skier to receive this prestigious award; the previous recipients were Greg Blaisdell (2003), Sean McNamara (2009), Coley Oliver (2015).
CATHY COAKLEY STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes senior student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the University, UNH athletic department and the larger community with involvement in campus organizations, volunteer work, University or other athletic department committees, and other service-oriented activities.
It is named in memory of Cathy Coakley, a former student-athlete (Class of '72) and coach at UNH who served as coordinator of student-athlete development. She was a lifelong battler for and supporter of Wildcat student-athletes.
The 2023 recipient is grad student Ava Boutilier (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island), who was a third-year captain of the UNH women's ice hockey team in 2022-23. Boutilier has been deeply involved in community initiatives since stepping foot on the Durham campus in 2017.
Boutilier has been a member of UNH's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee since the 2017-18 academic year; she served as both the SAAC vice president and treasurer in the 2019-20 year, and she has been SAAC president each of the past three years, during which time she was also a member of the Committee on Mutual Respect. Boutilier has also been a Presidential Athletic Advisory Committee member since 2022.
As a SAAC member, she has been the lead on both Hoops 4 Hunger, Food Frenzy and Strong Girls United. Boutilier has been a staunch supporter of the Stick it to Stigma and Bench Out the Stigma initiatives, both of which focus on mental health, and she founded the Athletes Supporting Athletes mental health group.
She has also given back to the sport of ice hockey at Rochester's Learn to Play Hockey and as a four-year coach on the Oyster River High School girls team from 2019-23.
She gave an oral presentation at the National Transgender Health Summit conference (May 2023) and was a UNH student representative at Mentors in Violence Prevention Bystander Training (2018).
Back home in Prince Edward Island, she has been a KidSport ambassador since 2020 as well as a Sport PEI guest speaker in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
TINA TRUE AWARD
The Tina True Award started in 2007 and is presented to a pair of Wildcat seniors for commitment to strength and conditioning. The award is named in memory of Tina True, who was a co-captain and coxswain of the women's crew team from 2000-02; her commitment to training and her passion for her sport greatly contributed to the success of the team; in January 2002 (her junior year), Tina's life was tragically cut short in a car accident.
The 2023 recipients are Jamy Lum (Honolulu, Hawaii) of the women's swimming and diving team and skiing's Scott Schulz.
Lum excelled in what was demanded by the strength and conditioning staff and her teammates. Her leadership, commitment and buy-in into the weight room helped her thrive in her sport and help the success of the team. In the pool, Lum won a pair of individual titles at the 2023 America East Championships and was also part of a gold medal relay team to help the Wildcats win a fourth consecutive conference crown.
Schulz embraced what was taught and what was demanded by the strength and conditioning staff. His commitment to strength and conditioning and his buy-in to everything we preach allowed him to flourish in his sport. He was a leader in the weight room, and his commitment was a foundation to his success on the Nordic trails and the Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The Athletic Director's Award for Academic Excellence was first presented in 2010 and is given to the female and male senior student-athlete with the highest cumulate grade point average.
The 2023 recipients are senior goaltender Nicky Harnett (Plymouth, Minn.) of women's ice hockey, grad student Lisa Olsson (Stockholm, Sweden) of women's skiing and grad student Andrew Meyer (Bozeman, Mont.) of men's skiing. Both Harnett and Olsson have maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA while Meyer boasts a 3.96 GPA.
Harnett is a sociology major who has been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team as well as a Hockey East Top Scholar-Athlete every year. They have also earned AHCA All-American Scholar recognition every year and were inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.
Olsson was named the Elite 90 Award recipient at the 2023 NCAA Skiing Championships for having the highest cumulative GPA at the event; she also received the Elite 90 Award in 2021. Olsson, who is pursuing an MBA, has made the National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team every year and been named a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, twice.
Meyer is pursuing a master's degree in analytical economics after earning a degree in innovation & tech. He has been named a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, twice and has made the National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team every year.
COACHES AWARD
The Coaches Award, which started in 2019, is presented to a senior student-athlete who has either overcome adversity, or is an unsung hero, or is a team leader, or has gone above and beyond.
The 2023 recipients are Nicky Harnett of women's ice hockey and Eli Goldman (Minneapolis, Minn.) of men's soccer.
Harnett came to UNH as Nicole/Nikki Harnett looking to find her way at UNH both in hockey and as a person. While at UNH, they came into their own and had the courage to make great – yet hard – decisions. Nicky decided to be their authentic self. In a world that is not always the most kind and accepting, Nicky had the courage to be so-called "different". Harnett started to make the transition with their pronouns to they/them and then, changes to their body to more represent their authentic self. Finally, they legally changed their name in addition to continuing to make changes to their mental health on this quest to be who they are. Harnett was featured on NESN to tell their story.
Harnett is confident, comfortable in who they are, hardworking, and a great teammate. Those attributes seem obvious, but it is challenging to be confident in what you stand up for and who you are when societal norms, assumptions, threats, and hate can so easily test your resilience.
Harnett has represented women's hockey on COMR and served on the NCAA College Hockey 4 DEI Committee.
Goldman progressed from being a team manager in 2019 to top goal scorer and point producer in 2022 and team captain in 2023.
In 2019, Goldman was a walk-on player who was a manager for the men's soccer team. He did not dress for games and watched while working the gear store. Undeterred, he trained each day and improved tremendously.
Fast forward to 2022, when Goldman played in all 20 games and recorded team highs in both goals (nine) and points (19). His accolades included United Soccer Coaches All-Northeast Region Second Team, America East All-Conference First Team, America East All-Tournament Team, Academic All-District Team and America East All-Academic Team.
Goldman plays with high energy and passion. He leads by example through his actions and is always encouraging others to stay positive and move on to the next play. In spring 2023, Goldman was unanimously voted by his teammates to be captain.
PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
The Performer of the Year, first presented in 2020, is given to both the most outstanding female and male student-athlete – regardless of class standing – for athletic achievement.
The 2023 recipients are junior Jasmine Lyons (Ottawa, Ontario) of the women's skiing team and junior Dylan Laube (Westhampton, N.Y.) of the football team. Lyons also received the Performer of the Year award in 2022.
Lyons recorded a pair of All-American efforts in the Nordic events at the 2023 NCAA Skiing Championships that were held March 8-11 in Lake Placid, N.Y.; she helped lead UNH to eighth place to mark the Wildcats' third consecutive top-10 national finish.
She placed second in the 5K free by crossing the finish line in 12 minutes, 59.2 seconds to earn a spot on the All-America First Team. Two days later, Lyons raced to sixth place in the 20K classic with a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, 5.3 seconds to earn All-America Second Team recognition.
Lyons was limited to three Carnivals during the 2023 season because of international competitions, but she did rank ninth in the EISA women's Nordic rankings with 180 points. She was champion of the 7.5K skate in the season-opening Bates Carnival and skied to second place in the 10K classic at the Williams Carnival.
Laube received a total of seven All-America Team awards following a 2023 season in which he finished the year as the national leader in all-purpose yards per game (194.3) and ranked in the Top 10 in four other stats: No. 2 in total touchdowns (19), No. 4 in scoring (9.5 points/game), No. 8 in rushing TDs (15), and No. 8 in punt return average (13.7 yards/return).
On the CAA leaderboard, Laube ranked in the Top 5 in nine stats – including No. 1 in all-purpose yards/game, scoring, total touchdowns and kickoff return average (25.8 yards/return) -- and he was the team leader in 14 statistics.
Laube's season highlights include a school-record 424 all-purpose yards in the NCAA first round vs. 16th-ranked Fordham University, tying a school record with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at 14th-ranked Richmond, matching a school record for longest punt return with a 92-yard TD at Towson, and breaking the Wildcat Stadium record for longest punt return with a 43-yarder vs. 21st-ranked Elon.
He finished the season with 1,209 rushing yards, which ranks seventh on UNH's list of single-season superlatives.
Laube was a three-time CAA All-Conference honoree with selection to the First Team as a punt returner, Second Team as a running back and Third Team as a kickoff returner. Laube was also named to the New England Football Writers All-New England Team.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The Rookie of the Year, first presented in 2019, is given to both the most outstanding female and male rookie for athletic achievement.
The 2023 recipients are Tasmin Cookman (Woking, England) of the field hockey team and Joey Corcoran (Montreal, Quebec) of the football team.
Cookman, who was also a finalist for Performer of the Year, was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-America Third Team following a phenomenal freshman season.
Cookman ranked No. 7 nationally in points per game (2.15), No. 9 in goals per game (0.80) and No. 23 in assists per game (0.55). On the America East leaderboard, she was No. 2 in points, points per game, goals and goals per game, as well as No. 5 in both assists and assists per game.
Cookman was UNH's leader in goals (16), game-winning goals (three), assists (11), points (43), shots (63) and shots on goal (36). Her 43 points tied for No. 6 on the program's all-time list of single-season superlatives and the most ever by a UNH freshman.
Cookman became UNH's first ever ECAC Division I Field Hockey Rookie of the Year in 2022. Her other accolades included NFHCA Northeast Region First Team, America East Rookie of the Year, America East All-Conference First Team – the only freshman on the First Team – and America East All-Rookie Team.
Corcoran, who played in 12 of 13 games as a redshirt freshman, led the UNH football team in both receptions (56) and receiving yards (670), and ranked second in all-purpose yardage (675). He averaged 12.0 yards per catch and 55.8 receiving yards per game, and he pulled in three receiving touchdowns.
Corcoran led the Wildcats in receptions in seven games and was the leader in receiving yards six times. He had 5+ catches in 8 of 12 games and eclipsed 50 receiving yards seven times.
In Game 10 vs. nationally-ranked Rhode Island, he had a team-high eight catches (on nine targets) for 71 yards.
Corcoran finished with six catches for 89 yards, including a career long of 56 yards, Game 6 at Dartmouth. That 56-yard catch was on the first play from scrimmage and set up a touchdown that gave UNH an early 7-0 lead that would not be relinquished.
One week earlier, he had seven catches for a career-high 96 yards vs. Stony Brook.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR replayed by Dunkin'
The Highlight of the Year, which started in 2020, is determined by fan voting on social media platforms. This year's winner is Kylie Gorgenyi's 9.950 on the uneven bars to tie the UNH gymnastics program record (Feb. 5 at Texas Woman's).
CLICK HERE to watch
EVENT OF THE YEAR replayed by Dunkin'
The Event of the Year, first presented in 2021, is also determined by fan voting on social media platforms. This year's winner is the UNH swimming and diving team winning its fourth consecutive America East conference championship on Feb. 22-25.
PHOTOS | RECAP
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Ice Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
WR
/ Football
F
/ Men's Soccer
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
G
/ Women's Ice Hockey
RB
/ Football
Breast/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Nordic
/ Skiing
Nordic
/ Skiing
Alpine
/ Skiing
Nordic
/ SkiingUNH Men's Hockey vs LIU Highlights 10-24-25
Saturday, October 25
UNH Football William & Mary Preview
Thursday, October 23
UNH Women's Soccer vs Binghamton Highlights 10-19-25
Sunday, October 19
UNH Men's Soccer vs Vermont Highlights 10-18-25
Sunday, October 19