Katie Radzik, Cross Country –– Radzik opened up her college career on Sept. 3 with an individual win at the Colgate Harry Lang Invitational and never looked back. She demonstrated consistency week after week, placing as BU’s top finisher at all seven meets in the fall. Her third-place finish at the America East Championships was the highest ever for a Bearcat (male or female) and her impressive 23rd-of-254 finish at the NCAA Northeast Regional was also BU’s all-time best. She also became BU’s first-ever runner to earn All-Northeast Region Honors at the Division I level.
Jackie Strader, Volleyball –– With so much exciting action happening inches from the net, liberos rarely get credit for their performances “behind the scenes.” However, we can’t let Strader’s stellar performance in BU’s dream championship season go unnoticed. The freshman stepped in from day one and sent her tiny frame flying around the court, picking up a team-high 307 digs on the year. Numbers don’t do Strader justice, however; in several of Binghamton’s thrilling home victories, her jaw-dropping diving digs caused crucial momentum swings for the eventual America East champions.
Brianna Strong, Volleyball –– Strong’s performance filling in for the injured Katie Robertson late in the season is enough to include her on this exclusive list. ‘Bri’ stepped into a starting role at a crucial point in the season and delivered everything head coach Glenn Kiriyama could’ve hoped for and then some, hitting and serving with nerves of steel despite her relative inexperience. In the fourth game of the AE Championship match against Stony Brook, with BU down 28-26 and possibly losing confidence, it was Strong who took two straight sets and smashed the ball to the ground, leading BU to finish off the Seawolves and win its storybook conference title.
Juliana Umeki, Tennis –– Umeki has been nothing short of unstoppable since she joined the team in January. She boasts an incredible 15-3 singles record and supplanted last year’s Pipe Dream Female Athlete of the Year, Zeynep Altinay, at the top of the lineup after just a few weeks. The native of Brazil never played doubles before coming to the U.S., but under the tutelage of Altinay and head coach Mike Stevens, she’s an impressive 13-4. Perhaps most impressive is her destruction of the language barrier; while Umeki has continued to learn English, Umeki and Altinay (a native of Turkey) have quickly taught each other their native languages, providing the duo a key mental edge.
Kim Williams, Track and Field –– BU’s track and field performances this year have been keyed mostly by its upperclassmen, but the emergence of Williams is proof that the Bearcats will be a force for years to come. Williams is a multi-talented sprinter and hurdler, specializing in the 200-meter dash. She’s spent all year flirting with the school record in the 200, breaking it on four occasions, including once in hailing conditions. She also destroyed the school record in the 100, qualifying for the ECACs in both events. Williams’ speed will be key in the Bearcats’ upcoming end-of-the-year meets.