11 Wildcats Named an America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete

America East Presidential Scholar-Athletes 2023

11 Wildcats Named an America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete

6/29/2023 3:11:00 PM | General, Men's Soccer, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, Academics, Men's Cross Country

BOSTON – Eleven University of New Hampshire student-athletes were named an America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete on Thursday in recognition of exemplary academic achievement through their college careers.

This year's distinguished Wildcats are: Cailey Archer (Berthoud, Colo.), Alexander Cermak (Manchester, N.H.), Paige Edmier (Bartlett, Ill.), Eli Goldman (Minneapolis, Minn.), Adi Hicks (Derry, N.H.), Jesslyn Hounchell (Cornwall, Vt.), Danielle Martineau (Gilford, N.H.), Ava Schroeder (Niskayuna, N.Y.), Mia Taranko (Saco, Maine), Grace Tomann (Cold Spring, N.Y.) and Whitney Wiley (Vienna, Va.).

A breakdown of the 11 'Cats by sport is: three lacrosse, two men's soccer, two women's cross country/track & field, and one each for men's cross country/track & field, women's soccer, swimming & diving and volleyball.

The America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes graduating student-athletes who compiled a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher as an undergraduate, received an undergraduate degree in Spring 2023 and attended their institution for a minimum of two years.

All 11 Wildcats are also members of the National College Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma, which is comprised of junior and senior student-athletes who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and are of good moral character.

Archer, a member of both the women's cross country and track & field teams, completed her Equine Studies degree with a 3.96 GPA. Her name is in the UNH record book as part of the 4x800 meter relay for indoor track at the 2022 ECAC championships. As a senior, she had personal bests in the mile (indoor) as well as the 400m, 800m and 3,000m (outdoor).

Cermak, a middle distance runner on the men's track & field teams, graduated with a Biology degree and 3.76 GPA. In the 2022-23 year, he established personal bests in the 500m (indoor) as well as the 400m and 800m (outdoor).

Edmier, a freestyle specialist on the swimming & diving team, recorded a 3.83 GPA while earning a degree in Sport Management and Leadership. She placed fifth in the 1,650-yard freestyle at the 2023 America East Championships to help the Wildcats win a fourth consecutive conference title. Also as a senior, she swam personal bests in the 200 free and 400 individual medley. Edmier was named to the America East All-Academic Team in 2021 and 2023 and to the CSC Academic All-District Team in 2023.

Goldman, a forward on the men's soccer team, earned a Sociology degree with a 3.82 GPA. He had a standout senior season in which he recorded team highs in goals, game-winning goals and points to lead the Wildcats to an America East title and sixth consecutive NCAA tourney appearance. Goldman's accolades in 2022 included America East All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team.

Hicks, a back/midfielder on the men's soccer team, finished with a 3.76 GPA and a Mechanical Engineering degree. He played in 11 matches for the conference champions who advanced to the NCAA second round in 2022.

Hounchell, a midfielder on the lacrosse team, received a Psychology degree with a 3.80 GPA. She started all 15 games and tied for fourth on the team in ground balls this past year as a senior.

Martineau, a goalkeeper on the lacrosse team, recorded a 3.87 GPA while earning a MedVet Science degree. As a senior in 2023, she played in five games with a 6.16 goals-against average.

Schroeder, a defender on the lacrosse team, earned an Athletic Training degree with a 3.82 GPA. She ranked second on the team in caused turnovers this past spring and, offensively, contributed two goals and an assist for a total of three points.

Taranko competed in the long jump and triple jumps on the women's track & field teams; she was also a sprinter who ran in the 100 meter dash and often was part of the 4x100m relay. Taranko scored points for the Wildcats at the 2023 America East outdoor championships as part of the eighth-place 4x100m relay.

Tomann, a defensive specialist on the volleyball team, recorded a 3.95 GPA in pursuit of her Biology degree. She played in 19 of 29 matches this past season. She recorded 70 digs with an average of 1.43 per set. Tomann recorded all 12 of her points on 12 service aces.

Wiley, a mid/forward on the women's soccer team, graduated with a 3.94 GPA and a degree in Hospitality Management. She was one of four Wildcats who started all 18 games in UNH's America East championship season. Wiley scored one goal for a total of two points and ranked fourth on the team with 24 shots.

The Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award was approved by the America East Board of Presidents in June 2013 and implemented in the 2013-14 academic year. Since then, a total of 826 elite student-athletes have been honored as part of the program, including a record 137 this year.

America East conference press release

Name	Sport	Degree	GPA
Cailey Archer	Women's XC/Track & Field	Equine Studies	3.96
Alexander Cermak	Men's XC/Track & Field	Biology	3.76
Paige Edmier	Swim/Dive	Sport Management and Leadership	3.83
Eli Goldman	Men's Soccer	Sociology	3.82
Adi Hicks	Men's Soccer	Mechanical Engineering	3.76
Jesslyn Hounchell	Lacrosse	Psychology	3.80
Danielle Martineau	Lacrosse	MedVet Science	3.87
Ava Schroeder	Lacrosse	Athletic Training	3.82
Mia Taranko	Women's XC/Track	Health Management	3.84
Grace Tomann	Volleyball	Biology	3.95
Whitney Wiley	Women's Soccer	Hospitality Management	3.94