LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has announced its Senior Scholar Athlete Award winners for the Fall season. This award recognizes a senior who truly represents the student-athlete model by performing in competition, in the classroom and around the community. 

This season, six student-athletes from four different member institutions were recognized:

 

Student Athlete	Sport	Institution
Caroline Conrad	Women's Volleyball	Cairn University
Michael Wade	Men's Cross Country	St. Mary's College of Maryland
Ariana Lecouras	Women's Cross Country	St. Mary's College of Maryland
Victoria Mainero	Field Hockey	Keystone College
Jade Wolfe	Women's Soccer	Wilson College
Moses Beers	Men's Soccer	Cairn University

Caroline Conrad 

Cairn University / Women’s Volleyball

One of the top players to wear the Highlander uniform, Cairn University’s Caroline Conrad excelled in all three pillars of the award throughout her four-year career. On the court, the outside etched her name in the history books as she amassed 828 kills (4th in program history), 1,225 digs (3rd in program history) and 188 aces (3rd in program history). Her efforts were recognized each season as she was named All-Conference every year of her tenure, including First Team in 2022 and 2024. 

Conrad equaled this success in the classroom as the Computer Science major (graphic design and biblical studies minors) maintained a GPA of 3.92. This earned her a spot on the Dean’s List seven times, the conference Scholar Athlete list all four times and two College Sport Communicator (CSC) Academic All-District nods. The two-time captain of the Highlanders was ingrained in the surrounding community as well, using her graphic design skills to help with the local church creating content for kids. Conrad also worked as a tutor on Cairn’s campus and was a Cabinet member of Mu Kappa, a national fraternity that helps international students acclimate to the culture of American higher education.

 "A team captain and phenomenal athlete who had one of the greatest all-around careers in Cairn volleyball program history, Caroline is just as impressive off the court as a scholar who has been highly involved on Cairn's campus. Her leadership and abilities have played a critical role in the growth of our program over the span of her career. I can't think of anyone who epitomizes this scholar-athlete award more than Caroline, and I am so incredibly proud of her and honored to have been her coach for four years." - Whitney Seidel, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Cairn University

Michael Wade

St. Mary’s College of Maryland / Men’s Cross Country

A four year member of the Seahawk men’s cross country team, Michael Wade has achieved excellence across all three pillars of this award. The Woodstock, Md. native has been a member of the All-Conference First Team all four years of his career, never finishing worse than fourth in the Conference Championship. The last three seasons, he has medaled taking second in ‘22 and ‘23 and third in ‘24. His efforts have also earned him a spot in the St. Mary’s College record books as his 25:46.00 time in the 8K is the top in program history.

Majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Educational Studies and Special Education, Wade has produced an impressive GPA of 3.93. This has helped him earn United East Scholar Athlete accolades every year as well as Dean’s List and USTFCCCA All-Academic. The distance runner has also put his degree to work within the community, helping conduct research with the Maryland Forestry Board as well as serving as a field intern for the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association.

"Michael is the epitome of what a leader and scholar athlete looks like.  He is a great athlete that competes hard and works hard in the classroom and has a big presence in many different areas around campus that is very important and impactful in many ways.  He is a leader that uplifts others while showing what the true meaning of being a student athlete is. He left a mark on this program that many can look up to for years to come." - Reava Potter, Head Cross Country Coach at St. Mary's College of Maryland

Victoria Mainero 

Keystone College / Field Hockey

Embodying the true meaning of a Division III student-athlete, Victoria Mainero had a unique college experience that saw her excel across all criteria of this award. On the field, her success was undeniable as she was an All-Conference honoree all four years including First Team the last two. Over that time, she accrued 132 points on 53 goals and 26 assists all over 68 games played. 

An international student from Argentina, Mainero did not let that slow down her studies as she maintained a GPA of 3.95 while majoring in Biological Studies and minoring in Public Health. Her work in the classroom earned her President’s List honors five times and conference All-Academic honors four times. She was also awarded the 2024 Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Contribution to the Biology Program by Keystone College. Despite being miles away from her own community, she was able to help the community around her during her four years. She organized a 5K which raised over 5,000$ for the American Cancer Society and also helped coach local youth in field hockey.

"Vicky is the true definition of the word student-athlete.  She is an exceptional, extraordinary, hardworking, and dedicated person and player, and she did all of this while being an international student.  She was a true asset to our team both on and off the field, and she led by example in everything she did, which made her a wonderful role model." - Erin McGinley, Head Field Hockey Coach at Keystone College

Moses Beers

Cairn University / Men’s Soccer

It was clear from the jump that Moses Beers would be a star on the field, but his work off the field during his tenure was equally as impressive. The star forward racked up 25 goals and 44 assists during his time in a Highlander kit, earning First Team All-Conference honors all four years. Two of those years came with extra conference accolades including Player of the Year honors in ‘22 and ‘23. He would also collect First Team All-Region honors in 2024.

His play matched his work in the classroom as Beers holds a GPA of 3.80 while majoring in Sports Management and minoring in Marketing. This has been recognized by the conference with Scholar Athlete nods each year but his most impressive honor came last season as he was named a Scholar All-American by the College Sport Communicators in 2023. In his community, his time with youth and children organizations have been prevalent. The Lancaster, Pa. native works with the Neshaminy Kids Club which creates before and after school programs while also volunteering at his local Church and with Soccer Shots.

"Moses has been the epitome of everything we hoped for over the past four years. He has strived for excellence both on the field and in the classroom, and his dedication to growth in all areas of life has served as an inspiring example to everyone."  - Luke Gibson, Head Men's Soccer Coach at Cairn University

Jade Wolfe

Wilson College / Women’s Soccer

A stalwart on the Phoenix backline, Jade Wolfe epitomizes what it means to be a student-athlete on her Wilson campus. The senior played in 75 games as a defender for Wilson, helping her team amass 41 shutouts over her four seasons. Her efforts did not go unnoticed as she was named First Team All-Conference in her last three seasons and earned Rookie of the Year honors in her first. To add to the accolades, Wolfe also earned Defensive Player of the Year honors her sophomore season.

Her efforts on the field were matched by a perfect 4.0 in Veterinary Nursing while also minoring in Biology and Chemistry. That type of success earned Wolfe Academic All-District all three eligible years and helped earn her membership to Chi Alpha Sigma student-athlete honor society. The Mercersburg, Pa. native served the Chambersburg community as well, specifically around campus where she helped maintain the equestrian stalls and with her team directing youth soccer camps.

"Jade is an exceptional athlete and student.  It makes perfect sense that she receive this award.  She is the definition of a student-athlete, and we are very proud of her." - Terry Harris, Head Women's Soccer Coach at Wilson College

Ariana Lecouras

St. Mary’s College of Maryland / Women’s Cross Country

Lecouras made big strides in her two years on the Seahawk women’s cross country team, demonstrating what it takes to be a successful Division III student-athlete. A two time All-Conference member, the Severna Park, Md. native had her best showing in her final year as she took home eighth at the 2024 United East Championships. Her efforts both seasons helped the Seahawks win team titles in ‘22 and ‘24.

In the classroom, Lecouras has one of the more diverse course loads but has maintained a GPA of 3.93 throughout it all. She currently majors in Environmental Studies but also minors in History, English and African Diaspora Studies. Her efforts have been noticed as she has been tabbed a United East Scholar Athlete twice and is a member of prestigious fraternities such as Chi Alpha Sigma and Phi Alpha Theta. Her work in the community has also been impressive including a service trip to Greenville, Ga. where she built houses for Habitat for Humanity. She also works at the local Kate Farm Club which helps support the community food shelf.

"Ariana is a shining example of what it means to be a student athlete.  She excelled in the classroom, pushed others to be there best, while also pushing herself to be the best and do well.  I saw her leave a mark and achieve many things in the community, classroom and on the course during her time at St Mary's College of Maryland.?" - Reava Potter, Head Cross Country Coach at St. Mary's College of Maryland

 

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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.