SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announces its 2021 Spring Scholar Athletes of the Year for women's lacrosse, softball, women's tennis and women's outdoor track and field. During each season, the conference recognizes student-athletes for their efforts in their sport, as well as their academics. One athlete from each sport was recognized with this honor as nominated and voted on by the member institutions.
In order to be eligible for the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year award student-athletes must prove both academic and athletic excellence by obtaining a minimum 3.30 overall GPA, be a starter or significant reserve for their team, and be at least a sophomore. The SUNYAC Scholar Athlete Award originated in 2016-17.
Women's Lacrosse - Kiki Meager, Cortland
The sophomore from Syracuse, N.Y., was a first team All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and third team All-American by Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). She was also named to the first team All-Region and first team All-SUNYAC. In 2021 she totaled 27 points in 16 games (23 goals, 4 assists). She also added 74 draw controls and 19 ground balls. Meager helped the Red Dragons win their 22nd overall SUNYAC title and went on to win two NCAA games finishing tied for ninth nationally. Meager maintains a 3.55 GPA as an early childhood education major.
Softball - Kelly O'Gorman, Cortland
O'Gorman, a graduate student from Clifton Park, N.Y., was a second team All-America outfielder in 2021. She was also named to the All-Region first team and was voted the SUNYAC Co-Player of the Year. O'Gorman batted .423 with 11 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, 37 RBI, 44 runs, five steals in 30 starts. She had 17 multiple-hit games and despite playing in just 158 career games, she finished her career ranked in the top 10 in school history in average (10th), hits (9th), doubles (tied 4th), triples (3rd), homers (tied 7th), RBI (tied 9th), runs (6th) and steals (tied 7th). O'Gorman earned her undergraduate degree in literacy education (3.95 GPA) and is working towards her graduate degree in childhood education (4.0 GPA).
Women's Tennis - Jane Chiacchia, Fredonia
A junior from Hamburg, N.Y., Chiacchai maintains a 3.97 overall GPA as a double major in applied mathematics: statistics and operations and exercise science. She was Fredonia's No. 1 singles player and No. 1 doubles player in 2021 where she went 4-3 in singles and 3-4 in doubles. Chiacchia finished her career with 25 singles wins which is No. 4 on the Fredonia career list and she also went 20-15 in career doubles. In 2021 she was awarded the SUNYAC Elite 20 for having the highest GPA among her peers competing at the championship. This academic year, Chiacchia earned a 4.0 GPA and achieved senior status academically with enough credits to graduate in three years on campus.
Women's Track and Field - Emily Pomainville, Geneseo
Pomainville ended her career as the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Women's Track Athlete of the Year, the Regional Women's Track Athlete of the Year and the SUNYAC Women's Track Athlete of the Year. The Malone, N.Y. native was a national champion in the 1500, making a new NCAA Division III record, and was the national runner-up in the 800 meter run. Pomainville holds a 3.80 cumulative GPA as an English major and earned a 4.0 GPA in the spring semester. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta (English honors society), was involved with the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (accepted to present, but could not attend due to COVID) and was a Great Day Geneseo research presenter in 2020 and 2021.
