LATHAM, N.Y. – In a significant announcement from the United East Conference office on Wednesday, Stacie Lally, a standout from Fallston, Maryland, has been named the 2023 Women’s Cross Country Senior Scholar-Athlete. This accolade recognizes Lally’s exemplary blend of academic achievement, athletic performance, and community service throughout her collegiate career at St. Mary’s College.
The Senior Scholar-Athlete award is a testament to a graduating senior’s comprehensive excellence, factoring in academic success, athletic contribution, and service impact. Each participating institution in the conference is entitled to nominate one student-athlete per sport, with the final selection made through a voting process that emphasizes the nominee’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) alongside their athletic and service credentials.
Lally’s selection was met with praise from her coach, Reava Potter, who is in her third year at the helm. “I am proud of how Stacie has represented our institution and program both academically and athletically. She exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete and what it means to give back to her community,” Potter remarked, highlighting Lally’s significant contributions on and off the field.
The criteria for the prestigious award are stringent, requiring nominees to be in their senior or graduate year, have at least a second year of competition at their current institution, play a key role in their team’s success, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and demonstrate active leadership and community service.
During her tenure, Lally, a biochemistry major with a 3.689 GPA, has made notable strides, earning two All-United East awards and achieving personal bests while serving as a senior captain. Her athletic prowess was on full display when she secured a sixth-place finish at the 2021 United East Women’s Cross Country Championships, earning First Team All-United East honors with a personal-best time. Her academic accolades include multiple Dean’s List honors, membership in Chi Alpha Sigma (the national college athlete honor society), and recognition as a United East Scholar-Athlete in 2022.
Lally’s commitment to service is evident through her volunteer work with Best Buddies and her efforts tutoring STEM students, alongside her involvement in the Biomolecular Organization of St. Mary’s Students (BOSS) and the St. Mary’s Chapter of the American Chemical Society (SMACS).
St. Mary’s College’s tradition of producing United East Senior Scholar-Athletes continues with Lally’s recognition, marking the fifth Seahawk to receive the honor since its inception for the 2022-23 academic year. Lally joins the ranks of previous honorees including Liam deLone-Bellsey (men’s soccer, 2022), Hannah Gorel (women’s tennis, 2023), Lily Davison (women’s lacrosse, 2023), and Quentin Pastore (men’s cross country, 2023), showcasing the college’s commitment to fostering well-rounded excellence in its student-athletes.
