Senior Student-Athletes Honored at Annual Banquet
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College Department of Athletics hosted its annual senior awards banquet on Tuesday, May 12, recognizing student-athletes for excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, sportsmanship, and service.
The event, which featured a brunch in the College's Weller Center, included a series of end-of-year awards along with recognition of the senior student-athletes from the Class of 2026 as the academic and athletic year came to a close.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from Director of Athletics Matt Finlayson and Dr. Tracy Espy, President of the College. Following a short break for food, the event moved into the awards portion, with 10 trophies distributed across a variety of categories.
The first award presented was the Dean Roberts Distinguished Service Award, given annually to a student-athlete, team manager, or intern who embodies the concepts of selflessness, commitment, and community service. This year's recipient was Jack Pilotte, who has become a familiar presence around Mitchell Athletics through his work as a team manager, photographer, and performer of the national anthem at home events.
The next award presented was the Mariner Excellence Award, given annually to the male and female graduating student-athletes who have excelled athletically while also attaining outstanding academic records with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
The female recipient of the Mariner Excellence Award was senior Julia Lent (Miller Place, N.Y.).
Lent, a four-year member of the women's volleyball team and Business Management major, appeared in 98 games during her Mitchell career.
During her time in New London, she put together one of the most impressive volleyball careers in the Division III era of the program, finishing as the career leader in digs and digs per set. This season, Lent ranked third in the GNAC with 422 digs and second with an average of 4.74 digs per set, helping guide the Mariners to their first double-digit win season since 2022. Off the court, she was a GNAC Academic All-Conference Team selection, a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.94.
The male recipient of the Mariner Excellence Award was senior Brandon Lee (Stockton, Calif.), a member of the men's basketball team and a Business Management major. Lee appeared in 90 career games, including 57 starts, during his Mitchell career.
This winter, he averaged a career-best 10.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, with his rebounding average ranking fifth in the GNAC. A member of the 2023 conference championship team, Lee was a GNAC Academic All-Conference Team selection, a member of the All-Sportsmanship Team, and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.35.
The next award presented was the Doug Yarnall Coaches Award, which honors the graduating male and female student-athletes who contribute most to the varsity athletics program by promoting excellence through sportsmanship, passion for sport, and dedication to their teams and teammates.
The female recipient of the Doug Yarnall Coaches Award was senior Kaylee Drago (Danbury, Conn.), a three-year member of the softball program who stood out as a leader both on and off the diamond.
A career .314 hitter, Drago enjoyed a career year this spring, batting .347 with 14 doubles, two home runs, 22 RBI, and 19 runs scored while earning a spot on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Away from the diamond, she was a GNAC Academic All-Conference Team selection, a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, regularly gave tours to prospective students, and served as a First-Year Experience Mentor.
Recently, at the campus-wide awards ceremony, Drago earned the Sapling Award, presented to students who demonstrate personal growth in leadership, engagement, and service while contributing positively to the overall student experience.
The male recipient of the Doug Yarnall Coaches Award was senior Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J.), a one-year member of the baseball program who made an immediate impact from the moment he arrived in New London.
On the diamond, Yarson earned GNAC All-Conference Third Team honors this spring, posting a 7-2 record with a 2.40 ERA while promoting excellence both on the field and in the classroom. A member of Chi Alpha Sigma and a game-day event worker for Mitchell Athletics, he concluded his collegiate career with more than 100 hits and 100 strikeouts between the two colleges he attended, a rare feat that showcased his passion for the game.
The next award presented was the Newcomer of the Year Award, given annually to the male and female student-athletes who had the most prolific first years as varsity athletes.
The female recipient of the Newcomer of the Year Award was Arianna Drouin (Swanzey, N.H.), a freshman member of the softball program who enjoyed a strong debut season for the Mariners, making an immediate impact both in the field and in the circle.
In the circle, Drouin posted a 6-5 overall record with a 4.37 ERA across 99.1 innings pitched, making 18 appearances and 14 starts while recording 10 complete games and one shutout. Her best work came during conference play, where she went 6-1 with a stellar 2.31 ERA across 60.2 innings while striking out 25 batters and limiting opponents to a .241 batting average. Offensively, Drouin contributed 16 hits, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored while adding two doubles and two stolen bases.
This year, there were co-recipients for the Male Newcomer of the Year Award, with honors going to freshmen Andrew Manzo (North Haven, Conn.) and Angel Rodriguez Cruz (Cidra, P.R.) of the baseball program.
Manzo, who was named GNAC Rookie of the Year, went 5-1 in 11 appearances for the Mariners with a 4.41 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 49.0 innings pitched. His five wins tied for the third most in the conference, while his four conference victories led the GNAC. Manzo also posted a 2.70 ERA in conference play, good for fifth in the league. In addition, he was recently recognized as the Honors Program Outstanding First-Year Student.
Rodriguez Cruz, meanwhile, was a GNAC All-Conference Second Team selection at third base, slashing .326/.420/.554 on the season with 30 hits, including 12 doubles and three home runs, to go along with 28 RBI, 27 runs scored, and four stolen bases.
The final major honors presented during the evening were the Athlete of the Year Awards, recognizing the male and female student-athletes considered to be the most accomplished athletes in the varsity athletics program.
The female recipient of the Athlete of the Year Award was Olivia DeCicco (Haverhill, Mass.), a senior from the softball program.
DeCicco put together one of the most impressive seasons in the Division III era of the Mitchell softball program, earning GNAC All-Conference Second Team honors.
In the circle, she made 20 starts, posting eight victories and 15 complete games. DeCicco finished the season with a 2.80 ERA and 73 strikeouts while ranking among the conference leaders in innings pitched, ERA, and strikeouts. In GNAC play, she compiled a 2.01 ERA across 62.2 innings of work.
Offensively, she batted .397 with 48 hits, nine doubles, two triples, three home runs, 40 RBI, and 21 runs scored across 38 games. DeCicco ranked among the GNAC leaders in multiple offensive categories, finishing third in RBI while also placing within the top 10 conference-wide in batting average, hits, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. In conference play, she elevated her numbers even further, batting .403 with three home runs, 21 RBI, and a .645 slugging percentage in 18 league contests.
The male recipient of the Athlete of the Year Award was Michael Ficocelli (North Providence, R.I.), a junior from the baseball program.
The GNAC Co-Player of the Year, Ficocelli also earned a spot on the GNAC All-Conference First Team.
Ficocelli continued to excel during his third spring in New London, slashing .392/.475/.601 with 56 hits, including 24 doubles and two home runs, to go along with 36 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 25 walks.
The junior batted a league-leading .493 in conference play, while his 24 doubles are tied for first nationally at the Division III level. At the conclusion of the regular season, Ficocelli ranked within the top 10 in the GNAC in batting average, hits, doubles, RBI, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and extra-base hits.
