LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has announced its Male and Female Senior Student-Athletes of the Year for the 2024-25 academic year. Madelyn Lehigh of the Penn State Harrisburg softball team and Quinnten Hatfield of the St. Mary's College of Maryland men’s lacrosse team have both earned the honor.
These two student-athletes were selected from a pool of 20 Senior Scholar-Athletes named throughout the academic year. Each nominee exhibited outstanding achievement in athletics, academics, and community involvement.
Madelyn Lehigh | Softball | Penn State Harrisburg
Madelyn Lehigh leaves behind an extraordinary legacy at Penn State Harrisburg. A dominant presence at the plate, she’d finish out her Harrisburg career as the program leader in nearly every statistical hitting category including the slashes (.468/.534/.710). She is also the only player in program history to hit the 200-hit mark, finishing her career with 236. Lehigh was hitting for extra bags as well, finishing her career as the active triples leader (31) across all three NCAA Divisions. Her play has led to a number of accolades including four-time All-Conference (3x First Team), 2022 Rookie of the Year, 2024 Player of the Year, 2x All-Region and a 2x statistical leader in Division III.
Lehigh’s excellence extended far beyond the field. She graduated with a 3.70 GPA in Human Development and Family Studies, earning three College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors and four United East Scholar-Athlete distinctions. A member of the Chi Alpha Sigma national student-athlete honor society, she was also deeply involved in service. As a four-year member of SAAC, she gave back to both campus and community—volunteering with Wreaths Across America and partnering with local elementary schools on enrichment programs and field trips.
Throughout four standout seasons here at Penn State Harrisburg, Maddy redefined success as a student-athlete,” said Head Coach Mandi Baer. “She became a NCAA statistical champion, program record holder in nearly every offensive category, and a 3x Academic All-District honoree. She continually demonstrated unmatched drive, focus, and leadership. She set the gold standard for Penn State Harrisburg Softball, leaving a legacy that will inspire future generations of student athletes.”
Quinnten Hatfield | Men's Lacrosse | St. Mary's College of Maryland
Arguably one of the most accomplished men’s lacrosse players in United East history, Hatfield was a key factor in the Seahawk success. A true iron man starting in 77 of 78 possible games during his four years, the short stick midfielder was pivotal on the 50-50 balls, scooping 153 groundballs in his career. Taking more of a defensive roll, Hatfield also caused 57 turnovers. Over that time, he still managed to tuck away 22 goals and assist on 10 others. His actions made waves as he was a three-time USILA All-American Honorable Mention recipient, the first-ever three timer for a United East player. He also collected All-Conference honors a trio of times.
Equally impressive off the field, Hatfield graduated summa cum laude with a 3.98 GPA while double majoring in Physics and Computer Science and minoring in Mathematics. He was a member of both Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student-athlete honor society, and Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics and astronomy honor society. He served as a teaching assistant in the Physics department and was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Elite 20 Award. After graduation, Hatfield is set to begin work as a civilian researcher for the US Army Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center - Graduated.. Beyond academics and athletics, Hatfield was also an engaged member of the St. Mary’s community, participating in events like the campus Trick-or-Treat and Special Olympics Field Day through SAAC.
Reflecting on Hatfield’s impact, Head Coach Jason Childs shared, "We have one award that we give annually as a program and it is the Charlie Mike award, which is given to the person on the team that best exemplifies completing our program's mission; be great in everything you do, so that we can win our day. Q was this year's recipient and I think this Scholar Athlete Award is just another example of how he attacks every aspect of his life. Quintenn genuinely lives his life in a way that he is competing against himself everyday to be the best version he can be. It is very inspiring, contagious, and daunting at times as someone who tries to keep up with him. He has meant so much to so many teammates, coaches, alums, and parents of players, and we have been sincerely blessed to have him be around here for the last four years! I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are very proud to have called him our Captain!"
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram - gounitedeast | Twitter - @GoUnitedEast
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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.