MORAGA, Calif. — Not only has it been a strong year for Saint Mary's Athletics on the field and on the court, but so many outstanding student-athletes have had stronger seasons off the court. Those efforts from numerous Gaels across all sports are being honored by Saint Mary's College during Commencement. All told, 15 student-athletes across eight different sports are earning awards that will be handed out during Commencement weekend.
 
In the graduating class of 2023, Saint Mary's women's soccer lands the class Valedictorian in the form of Isabella Santavicca. A four-year member of the women's soccer program, Santavicca played in 56 games, making 25 starts and accumulating eight points, including three goals. Three times she was named All-Academic Honorable Mention in the WCC and even was named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators. Those academic awards came thanks to her 3.852 grade point average as a Biology and Psychology double-major.
 
Sofia Cuevas Dorador of Cross Country and Track is being honored with the De La Salle Award, which is one of the highest honors a student at Saint Mary's can land. It is named in honor of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and patron saint of teacher. It is given to the graduating senior with the highest record for scholarship and general excellence. Cuevas Dorador helped spearhead the One World Running shoe drive in partnership with the office of sustainability, which has collected over 100 pairs of shoes this year alone for those in need. She is the co-captain of the cross country program and has a 3.979 GPA as a double major in Politics and Economics.
 
As is tradition, two student-athletes from the department are being honored with the George R. McKeon Scholar-Athlete Award: Kyle Bowen and Rayna Stanziano. Annually, it is given to one male and female student-athlete distinguished both as outstanding athletes and scholars. Bowen helped lead Saint Mary's to a five seed in the NCAA Tournament and a Round of 32 appearance for the second-consecutive season. He was also named an Academic All-WCC and Academic All-District selection following the season. Stanziano is one of the best runners in Saint Mary's history, with multiple NCAA Championship and West Region appearances. She also happens to be one of the best student-athletes the program has, sporting a 3.93 GPA.
 
A full list of student-athletes being recognized with College or department awards at commencement can be found below:
 
College Awards:
Valedictorian:  Isabella Santavicca
De La Salle Award: Sofia Cuevas Dorador
 
Campus Community Awards:
Student Life Service Award:  Lauren Kearney
George R. McKeon Scholar-Athlete Award: Kyle Bowen and Rayna Stanziano
 
Department Awards:
Gaby Tevez: Business Administration (Earl W. Smith Award)
Sofia Cuevas Dorador:  Economics and Politics (Adam Smith Award)
Lucas Chung: Communication (Byron Bryant Award)
Madeline Fletcher: Kinesiology (Mens Sana In Corpore Sano Award)
Lauren Kearney:  Women's and Gender Studies (Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz Award)
Greg Brighton: Biology (Carlos Freitas Award)
Isaiah Jimenez: Biochemistry (Linus Pauling Award)
Laura Trapero Sanz: Computer Science (Grace Hopper Award)
 
Grad Department Awards:
Amy West: MS in Management and Technology
Emily Ferbet: MA in Communication