Wellesley Athletics News Releases

WELLESLEY ATHLETICS HOSTS END-OF-THE-YEAR BANQUET

WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Wellesley College Department of Athletics hosted its annual end-of-the-year awards banquet recently.

Senior Laura Bender receives the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer Award from Wellesley College President Diana Chapman Walsh.

Senior Laura Bender (Mattapoisett, Mass.), a two-sport athlete participating in field hockey and lacrosse, earned the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer award. The Hauptfuhrer award is given annually to Wellesley’s top senior athlete who combines excellence in scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship and athletic achievement. Bender has excelled both on and off the field as a multi-sport athlete while at Wellesley earning academic and athletic distinction on the regional and national level. As a senior, Bender earned National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association All-America second team honors and was named to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference team in field hockey and lacrosse.

Senior Abby Barker (Brunswick, Maine) was named as Wellesley’s ECAC Scholar-Athlete recipient. Barker, a four-year member of the Wellesley lacrosse team, is a three-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection.

Junior Christina Baer (Mountain View, Calif.) earned the Wellesley College Director’s Award. Baer, a member of Wellesley’s crew team and Student Athletic Training Aide, was given the Director’s Award for her service and positive contributions to the college’s athletic department in the field of Athletic Training.

Nina Johnson (Birmingham, Ala.), Tracy Bassett (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.), Esther Handy (Olympia, Wash.) and Camille Aylmer (Newport Beach, Calif.) each were named Most Outstanding Class Athlete. Johnson, a first-year, is a member of the swimming and diving team. Johnson earned NEWMAC All-Conference second team honors.

Senior Abby Barker, Wellesley's ECAC Scholar Athlete honoree, with Associate Athletic Director Mindy Mangels.

Bassett, a sophomore cross-country standout, is a two-time All-New England and NEWMAC All-Conference runner. As a sophomore, Bassett qualified for the Division III Cross Country National Championship race and earned Division III Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All-America honors.

Handy, a junior, is a three-time Seven Sisters All-Tournament selection in tennis. Handy also earned NEWMAC All-Conference honors in 2002.

Aylmer is a four-year member of Wellesley’s crew team and served as the team’s captain during the 2003-2004 season. Aylmer earned NEWMAC All-Conference honors for the first time as a senior and was a member of Wellesley’s first-ever NEWMAC Champion Varsity Eight Boat in 2003.