Posted: Jun 01, 2020

Women's Soccer: "Awards Show Rewind"

"Awards Show Rewind" is a Wells College Athletics 13 segment feature that reviews each 2019-20 Wells athletics team and its honorees from the May 20 Express Awards Show in reverse order from the show's countdown. Today's featured team is the 2019 women's soccer team. Links for the entire show can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCv2s5JgVc or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WellsExpresslive

Wells College women's soccer team's head coach Mara Primmer handed out four awards and recognized one senior, while athletic director Mike Lindberg handed out one the department's top awards to a member of two Express teams – one of which was the women's soccer team - at the Wells College Express Awards Show on Wednesday, May 20.

Erin Persons was awarded the 2019-20 John D. Wilson-Ralph H. Poole Jr. Award, which is awarded annually to a member of the senior class who, in the spirit of liberal arts education, has made a distinguished contribution during their careers to the athletics program and betterment of the campus community at Wells College.

Just prior to the award show's end, Wells College athletic director Lindberg made the presentation with the following description of Erin, "A two-sport athlete, Erin is the epidemy of a Division III student-athlete; excellent in the classroom – graduating cum laude with a distinction in biology, a gifted photographer and outstanding official scorer for basketball and a leader on both the women's soccer and lacrosse teams."

"Women's lacrosse coach Meg Milliman had following to say about Erin, 'Erin is a phenomenal teammate who's one of the most passionate lacrosse players I've ever come across. She succeeds every day, inspiring others to do their absolute best for the good of the team'. "

"And Coach Primmer states, 'Erin has been a total team player since she joined the program four years ago. Willing to do whatever was necessary to help the team progress and grow, she has earned through her actions not only the respect of her coaches, but also from her teammates, peers and others around campus. I think it is most telling and speaks volumes to her commitment, dedication and ability on the field and effort and love for the program at Wells. She embodies the definition of this honor as she has certainly made distinguished contributions to the athletic program and betterment of our campus community'," concluded Lindberg.

Primmer awarded rookie of the year to Vita Liakhovitch. "Vita played and started in all 14 of our contests this year and split time between the midfield and back for us. She's been an outstanding teammate, consistently working hard and doing whatever's necessary to help the team and stepped-up to be a vocal leader for us," said Primmer.

Primmer awarded the most improved player award to Jordan Jacobs. "After taking a two-year hiatus and watching from the other side of the field, Jordan thought she was joining the team this year to play in goal, but little did she know that a month later that she'd be earning a starting spot on our backline and find a new passion for playing in the field. Always working and always asking questions to get better, Jordan became an integral part of our team," Primmer said.

Erin Persons received the Express Award, which goes to the player who embodies the true ideals of team commitment: leadership, discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship. Primmer added, "Erin has appeared in 63 games and started 47 throughout her career at Wells, playing as a forward, a middy and in the back line since joining the program. She's a complete, total team player for the program and willing to play anywhere to help the team; sometimes all three positions within a single game. She ends her career at Wells with 17 points of offense which includes seven goals and three assists – all from the defensive midfield position. She leads by example and her work ethic, love for the game and investment into our team is invaluable."

Primmer awarded the most valuable player award to Jennifer McCumber "Jen played and started all 14 contests and ended her first year at Wells with a .730 save percentage in goal after facing 195 shots. She was the anchor and vocal leader to our team and against Morrisville was able to save three breakaways and three PKs – which if you don't know soccer is pretty unbelievable. She continually put herself on the line to help the team game-in and game-out and gained the respect of her teammates and others throughout our entire conference," added Primmer.

Finally, Primmer acknowledged her lone senior Erin Persons, "A massive thanks to our senior Erin Persons. All your hard work and dedication to the program did not go unnoticed. It's been wonderful this year both on and off the field from when you arrived at Wells and now and to watch you develop along with our program. We are so excited to have you on the sidelines as our assistant coach next year. Thank-you."

Prior to Primmer announcing her team's award winners, Provost and Dean of the College Dr. Cindy Speaker announced the inaugural class of Wells College's New York State Alpha Omicron Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, a national organization that recognizes student-athletes from accredited four-year institutions who excel in both the classroom and competition. In order to be inducted, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4. Included in the inaugural class from the women's soccer team was Maeghan Westmiller and Erin Persons.

Preceding the Provost and Dean of the College was Wells College President Jonathan Gibralter, who recognized accomplishments and milestones of Wells athletes during the past season that included eight all-NEAC selections and 19 NEAC players of the week.

While the live Express Awards may be remembered as the first presentation ceremony for Wells athletics cyberly, many others will remember more the inspiring closing words from Director of Athletics and Physical Education Mike Lindberg:

"2020 – it's a year none of us will ever forget. In my 40 years of serving students in higher education, I have never experienced a year quite like 2020.

Some of you who have taken my classes may remember my talk about the choices we have . . . that Stimulus doesn't have to equal Reaction. Instead, we should turn the equals sign 90 degrees, and you will find that now we have created a "pause" sign: Stimulus – Pause – Response. The pause gives power: the power to choose how we respond.

In her 152-year history, Wells College has endured fires, epidemics, world wars, economic depressions — all threatening our existence — and yet . . . we are still here.

How? The answer is: the power of choice.

As Margaret Meade wrote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

After the Main Building fire of 1888, the "new" Main was built in time for the 1890 Commencement ceremony with Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, greeting us at the front door — having survived that devastating fire.

Did you know that, during World War I, that Wells students raised over $63,000 in war bonds? They also donated more than 60,000 surgical masks, and 10 students even volunteered to go to France to work as a canteen unit.

And during the influenza epidemic of 1918, thirty-four students contracted the flu. Classes were cancelled from October 14 through November 2, and Main 4th floor and Pettibone were filled with the sick patients who were cared for and nursed back to health by our College family.

Wells was threatened, once more, by the Great Depression of 1929; but, once again, our alumnae family said "never" — and Wells enrollment and prestige soared.

Then there was World War II, the turbulent '60s, and the "utopian society" of the '90s; the enrollment decline in the early 2000s; the recession of 2008-2009; and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 are just chapters in our history. Chapters that have made us stronger because this small yet powerful group of committed citizens (you and I), who have created change so that Wells College not only survives, but thrives.

Never forget: choice is your responsibility. an action that can empower, change perspective, provide direction, motivate, influence, and inspire.

To all of our seniors: I hope you choose to regale in the memories of bus rides, practices, wins and losses, championships, and — most of all — friendships.

In short: what will be your "Do you remember…?" story when you return to campus for your class reunion?

The wins and losses will fade, but the memories of the commitment displayed to each other; the loyalty for team; the pride of wearing your uniform; and the resilience, persistence, and grit to pick yourself up after a loss and keep going — these will always be my own "Do you remember?" moments. I love watching you all play.

Seniors: thank you for your dedication, your passion, your leadership, and the standards you have set for the teams to follow. You wore the jersey, the helmet, the swim cap with honor, and I am proud of each and every one of you.

2020 is a year for the history books . . . and the class of 2020 is a class I will never forget.

I have two signs above my desk that I look at every day. They remind me of why we do what we do:

The first says: "Believe."

And the other says: "If you don't climb the mountain, you can't see the view."

I believe that the challenges we face as an institution, as an athletics program, as a team, and as individuals will make us better and stronger.

To you seniors: believe in what you've been taught and stay in touch with your coaches.

To those of you returning in the fall: believe in yourself, believe in your coaches, believe in your teammates, and believe in Wells College. If you truly believe, the view will never disappoint.

Let me conclude with a quote from "Still I Rise," by my favorite poet, Dr. Maya Angelou:

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise.

Congratulations to all of our teams, and to all of our award winners. This concludes our program but, before signing off:

Please be safe . . . be healthy . . . and BE WELLS."

A link to the Athletics Awards Program is at: https://wells.prestosports.com/general/2019-20/files/2020AwardsProgram.pdf