SAVANNAH, Ga. – University of Vermont men's lacrosse junior
James Leary and women's swimming & diving junior
Kelly Lennon were two of 18 student-athletes named to the 2017 America East Helping Hands Team on Friday evening at the conference's annual awards dinner.
RELATED LINKS
Helping Hands Team Release
The America East Helping Hands Team, in its fourth year, was established to recognize a male and female student-athlete from each of the nine America East institutions for their exemplary efforts in the area of community service while remaining in good academic standing.
Lennon, a swimmer from Methuen, Massachusetts, was selected to lead the UVM Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) as chair in 2017-18. Along with Trae Bell-Haynes of the men's basketball team, the rising senior co-founded UVM's Rally Around Mental Health initiative, which focuses on improving the well-being of student athletes.
She was an America East All-Academic Team selection this past year and earned All-Conference honors in the 500-yard freestyle. Lennon will serve as a tri-captain of her team next season and is currently one of three Catamounts representing UVM at the annual NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis.
Leary was a captain this past season and has been an active member of SAAC since his freshman year, representing men's lacrosse in the Catamount Challenge initiative. He was instrumental in his team's participation in the "Movember" project, which raised over $30,000 for men's health, among the highest totals nationally.
The Seabrook, New Hampshire native helped direct men's lacrosse in multiple community service projects, including a turkey trot down Church Street and pumpkin carving in Winooski. He has appeared in 44 career games, ranking second among all Division I players this season in caused turnovers per game while leading America East.
AMERICA EAST HELPING HANDS TEAM
| Institution |
Name |
Sport |
Class |
| Albany |
Laini Leindecker |
VB |
Sr. |
|
Joe Cremo |
MBB |
So. |
| Binghamton |
Carrie Maniccia |
SB |
Jr. |
|
John Rinaldi |
MBB |
Sr. |
| Hartford |
Nicole Demars |
WXC/WTF |
Jr. |
|
Jake Slomski |
MSOC |
Sr. |
| Maine |
Jillian Lary |
WTF |
Sr. |
|
Jeremy Frantz |
MTF |
Sr. |
| UMBC |
Pandora Wilson |
WBB |
Sr. |
|
Alex La Noire |
MSOC |
So. |
| UMass Lowell |
Georgia Cowderoy |
WSO |
Sr. |
|
Daniel Schmith |
MXC/MTF |
Jr. |
| UNH |
Mimi Borkan |
WSOC |
Sr. |
|
Nick Marino |
FB |
Sr. |
| Stony Brook |
Lindsay Hucthinson |
WSOC |
Sr. |
|
UC Iroegbu |
MBB |
Jr. |
| Vermont |
Kelly Lennon |
WSD |
Jr. |
|
James Leary |
MLAX |
Jr. |
