LATLATHAM, 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
Ella Gamble	Women's Volleyball	Gallaudet University
Mitchell Campbell	Men's Cross Country	Penn College
Sofia Troland	Women's Cross Country	University of Valley Forge
Jena Vanskiver	Field Hockey	St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Diana Pon	Women's Soccer	Penn State Harrisburg
Jack Nelson	Men's Soccer	St. Mary’s College of Maryland

 

Ella Gamble

Gallaudet University / Women’s Volleyball

Gamble will go down as one of the top setters to compete in the conference as she stacked numerous individual accolades to pair with her team’s success. Donning the Bison jersey for three years, Gamble hit the 1,000 assist mark in all three seasons as she totaled 3,562 helpers overall. Despite only playing for three years, Gamble has recorded the eighth-most assists among active Division III players. That wasn’t the only place Gamble excelled though as she also has accrued 322 service aces which leads all active DIII players. Her efforts have earned her All-Region honors and First Team All-Conference honors all three years. In 2024 she was also tabbed an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable mention and in 2023 she collected United East Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Her success on the court spilled into the classroom as she maintained a GPA of 3.93 in Physical Education and Recreation. In 2023 she collected College Sport Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American honors and she has earned United East Scholar Athlete nods three times. Competing at Gallaudet, which is an institution for the deaf and hard of hearing, Gamble has made her way over to the local Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) to help strengthen young athlete’s confidence on the court. The Culluwhee, N.C. native also represented the United States of America at the Deaf Olympics this year in Tokyo.

"Ella is truly deserving of this recognition. She is extremely serious about her academics and consistently demonstrates strong character, leadership, and integrity. Her hard work and dedication both on and off the court have led to her success, and she represents Gallaudet Volleyball with excellence." - Lynn Ray Boren, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Gallaudet University

 

Mitchell Campbell

Penn College / Men’s Cross Country

Campbell played a large part in pushing the Wildcat men’s cross country program into the top tier, helping them win two United East Championships over his four years on the team. Over that time, Campbell made the All-Conference roster every year including three times on the First Team. He took home the bronze medal at the Conference Championship twice (‘22 and ‘23), earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2022. His top 8K time came at the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Regional where he clocked a 26:43.1.

Majoring in Welding, Campbell has posted a GPA of 3.94. His efforts in the classroom have earned him United East Scholar Athlete nods all four years. In the community, Campbell has been actively involved with Penn College’s volunteer opportunities including Riverwalk Cleanups, United Feast and a Habitat for Humanity project.

"From day one of his freshman year Mitch established himself as a leader of our team.  He set a high standard at practice, during competition, and in the classroom. Winning two United East team titles would not have been possible without his many contributions." - Tom Leeser, Former Head Cross Country Coach at Penn College

 

Jena Vanskiver

St. Mary’s College of Maryland / Field Hockey

Vanskiver was the definition of a Scholar Athlete, excelling in all facets of the award. The senior was a four starter on defense for the Seahawks, starting in all 75 games she played. Vanskiver anchored the backline, piling up 21 defensive saves throughout her career, which is the most in program history. She also found her way onto the scoresheet every so often, picking up nine goals and assisting on seven others. Her play translated into accolades as she made All-Conference every year (twice for the Atlantic East) and was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year this season. She also picked up First Team All-Region honors in 2025. 

Just as impressive were her off-field accolades. The Fallston, Md. native holds a GPA of a 3.99 in Political Science and Public Policy while also minoring in Spanish. She has been named to the NFHCA Scholar of Distinction List in all years eligible and also earned the 2024 Daughters of America Revolution Scholarship given to someone excelling in Social Sciences. Her classroom prowess also helped her earn an Chi Alpha Sigma student-athlete fraternity nod too. In the community, she has put her skills to use as she tutors english as a second language and volunteers at the local elementary schools “Family Fitness Night” promoting fitness and well-being.

"Exceptional is the word that comes to mind when I think of Jena as a student-athlete. She is motivated and self-disciplined on and off the field, but it is her principles not found on stat sheets or grade reports that make her an outstanding player to our program." - Allyson Osborne, Head Field Hockey Coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

 

Diana Pon

Penn State Harrisburg / Women’s Soccer

Pon had the pleasure of competing on two United East teams during her tenure, finding plenty of success on both of them. Beginning with a pair of years at Penn State Berks before transferring to Harrisburg, Pon found herself on a United East Championship team every single season. The midfielder racked up 131 points on 49 goals and 33 assists while also notching 14 game-winning goals. She concluded her career with the Harrisburg team reaching the NCAA Round of 16, the furthest any United East team has ever gone on the national stage. The Miami, Fla. native found herself making room on the trophy shelf throughout her career, which included All-Conference First Team honors all four years, Rookie of the Year honors in 20222 and three All-Region nods. She capped her career with a Third Team All-America honor.

Pon has seen just as much success in the classroom as the Finance major holds a GPA of a 3.63. Most recently, she received the highest honor as she took home Academic All-America honors by the College Sport Communicators. In her home state of Florida, she continues to participate in the Feeding South Florida Mission and Foodbank. Additionally, Pon has made it to the national stage as she plays for the Panamanian National Team.

"When I think of Diana, I think of someone who pursues excellence in everything she does. She holds herself to the highest standards both on the field and in the classroom and gives nothing but her best. She has led by example in our program and been a crucial part in our program’s continual growth as a top women’s soccer program in the region/nation. Diana has been a great representation of our program and is fully deserving of this award."  - Brandon West, Head Women's Soccer Coach at Penn State Harrisburg

Sofia Troland

University of Valley Forge / Women’s Cross Country

Troland has been a stalwart on the Patriot women’s cross country team, leading the pack for four years of competition. The Milton, Vt. native was an All-Conference member every season, picking up First Team in 2022, Second Team in 2024 and 2025 and Third Team in 2023. She was also tabbed the conference Rookie of the Year in 2022. Her final race of her career was her best as she posted a time of 26:06.7 at the Metro Regional.

Off the race course, Troland keeps a GPA of a 3.9 while majoring in Youth and Family Studies. Her success in the classroom has translated into United East Scholar Athlete designation all four years and admittance into Chi Alpha Sigma student-athlete leadership fraternity. In her community, the runner has taken a leadership role in SAAC, acting as PResident this year. She has also done an internship that serves as a faith-based after school program.

"Sofia Troland has had a lasting impact on UVF’s Cross Country program and Athletic Department. She has deep tenacity, heart, and drive that has pushed her to race hard, complete workouts well, and always be ready to lead our team in worship and prayer. She has been a leader and a positive influence within this sport and on our campus as a student-athlete and our SAAC President!" -Samantha David, Head Cross Country Coach at University of Valley Forge

Jack Nelson

St. Mary’s College of Maryland / Men’s Soccer

An instrumental piece of the Seahawk defensive corps, Nelson has seen success across his four years at St. Mary’s College. The left back started in 76 games, anchoring a defense on a team that hoisted two Championship trophies. Nelson was able to chip in on the offense when needed as well, posting 39 points with 16 goals and seven helpers. His field presence was noticed by opposing coaches as he was named the United East Defensive Player of the Year twice and an All-Conference member three times. He also collected a pair of All-Region nods including a First Team selection this year. 

Nelson was no slouch in the classroom either, posting a GPA of 3.75 while double majoring in Economics and Business Administration. His efforts earned him four United East Scholar Athlete acknowledgments, the Ho Nguyen Economics Scholarship and he was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma last year. The Ellicott City, Md. native also pitched in with the soccer team’s volunteer opportunities including a youth camp the team put on for an orphanage in Porto, Portugal.

"Jack is a wonderful soccer player and a fantastic student athlete.  He has led by example both on and off the field and has made a huge impact on our soccer program over the past four years." - Alun Oliver, Head Men's Soccer Coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram - gounitedeast  |  Twitter - @GoUnitedEast

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *