PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University Department of Athletics has announced the winners of its major awards for the 2024-25 academic year, honoring ten students for their accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and within the greater Plymouth community.
 
The annual awards honor former coaches and educators who were pioneers in the development of physical education and athletics at Plymouth State. The ten winners represent the best of more than 700 students who were involved with Panthers' athletics as student-athletes or support staff members during the 2024-25 school year. The award winners, selected following a vote by head coaches and department administrators, will be honored on campus in the fall.
 
"These award winners represent everything that is great about Plymouth State Athletics," said Director of Athletics Kim Bownes. "They've made a meaningful impact through their athletics accomplishments, leadership, and service to others – both on our fields and in our community. Whether they're moving on to new opportunities or returning to continue building their legacy here at PSU, each of them embodies the character and spirit that define what it means to be a Panther. I'm so proud of what they've achieved and excited to see what's next for all of them."
 
    
After rushing for more than 1,000 yards and ranking among the nation's leaders in several offensive categories, senior Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) was voted the Paul E. Arold Male Athlete of the Year. The 5-8 running back closed out his career with an exceptional season, running for 1,179 yards in just nine games, ranking second in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (207.6), sixth in rushing yards per game (131.0), and ninth in scoring per game (11.3). Lombard also ranked among the best in the country in yards per carry (6.27), rushing touchdowns (16), rushing yards (1,179), and total touchdowns (17). He topped the century mark in seven of nine games and set career highs for rushing twice in his final three games, including a personal best 252 yards and three touchdowns in his final game to earn D3football.com All-Region honors. He graduated with the fourth-most rushing yards in program history (2,591).
  
From Head Football Coach Paul Castonia: "Willie rushed for almost 1,200 yards in only nine games. He is the first 1,000-yard rusher since the 2008 season and led the MASCAC in yards per carry, yards per game, and total touchdowns, while ranking among the best in the country in several categories."
  
    
Graduate student Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) was voted the Janet Nell Female Athlete of the Year after leading the women's lacrosse program to the program's first-ever at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. Named All-American Honorable Mention by USA Lacrosse Magazine, Gaspa repeated as LEC Defensive Player of the Year and claimed First Team All-Region and All-LEC honors. She helped the Panthers to an unbeaten run through the LEC regular season and scored a career-high four goals as PSU topped Marymount University (Va.) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the program's third win on the national stage. She ended her career among the program leaders in career caused turnovers (third), career draw controls (fourth), career ground balls (eighth), and among the top 50 in career goals.
 
From Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Becky Dale: "Megan capped off an exceptional career with her most dominant season to date, solidifying her legacy as one of the most well-rounded athletes in program history. She set career highs in caused turnovers (62) and draw controls (87), while matching personal bests in ground balls (63) and points (25 points on 20 goals & 5 assists). Her remarkable two-way play and leadership were instrumental to our team's success this season, leading us on an undefeated LEC regular season run and our program's first ever NCAA at-large bid. Nationally, her 3.22 caused turnovers per game ranked 10th across all of NCAA Division III."
 
   
As a dual-sport athlete, junior Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) played key roles in a pair of wildly successful seasons for the Panthers. She scored a pair of goals in the women's ice hockey team's win over Anna Maria in the MASCAC Tournament semifinals, helping guide the Panthers to the conference tournament title, while also garnering All-LEC Second Team honors for the women's lacrosse team after leading the LEC in assists per game (2.47) and ranking second in points per game (4.93). A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Cunningham also helped organize Morgan's Message events for both sports, raising awareness about the importance of mental health among student-athletes. 
 
From Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach Ben Chipman: "Morgan was a big contributor to our group this season, playing a key role on the team's penalty kill while also matching up and defending against other team's top players. Though she set a personal high in single season goals, something more impressive was the way she led and conducted herself away from the arena. She organized the first ever "Morgan's Message" game for women's hockey, an event designed to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health among athletes. Morgan is always the first to volunteer to meet an incoming player, help in the community, interact with young players at the arena and create new ideas to help evolve the culture and success of the team."
 
   
Football senior Josh Crosswhite (Littleton, Mass.) transitioned from defensive back, where he was the third-leading tackler in 2023, to wide receiver for the fall season, while also filling in on special teams and even volunteering to fill in as long snapper when injuries piled up for the Panthers, despite never having snapped before.
 
Senior Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) of the women's ice hockey team was a two-year captain who collected several awards off the ice while setting career highs in goals and points to help the team capture the MASCAC Tournament title in historic fashion.
 
From Head Football Coach Paul Castonia: "Josh was the consummate teammate. He completely transformed his body with his work in the weight room after transferring from Keene State, where he was playing lacrosse. He switched positions twice for the betterment of the team, moving to wide receiver this season after finishing third on the team in tackles as a DB in 2023. Josh was a tireless worker, never asking for a break whether it was offense, defense or the scout team. He is a true competitor who never asked for anything but provided everything he could for the team, including exceptional leadership."
 
From Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach Ben Chipman: "Robyn demonstrated unbelievable leadership during her time as a student-athlete at Plymouth State. The two-year captain was our Panther Award winner, was selected as the Norma Wilkinson Award recipient, which recognizes a student who has made a monumental impact on an organization through their leadership, was selected as a Top 20 Senior, and was awarded the team's Leadership and Character Award. As a double-major in Computer Science and Mathematics, Robyn balanced this heavy workload with being a math tutor, coding and creating her very own statistical analysis website for coaches to analyze player performance versus competitors, and working event management for athletics games. She also volunteered at the Voices Against Violence Candlelight Vigil. Her ability to do all of this with a smile and expectation for success showcased a true "lead by example" mentality. This is a testament to her selfless, relentless and hard-working character."
 
   
Senior Sondre Asheim (Klepp, Norway) helped lead the men's soccer team to the LEC Tournament semifinals, scoring a pair of goals in a 3-0 win at Keene State in the opening round of the tournament. A remarkable student, Asheim was heavily involved with several campus organizations, was named to the LEC All-Academic Team every year he was eligible, claimed College Sports Communicators Academic All-District in 2024, and was awarded the team's Panther Award last fall.
 
Graduate student Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) set career highs in goals, assists, and points, and was tied for the MASCAC lead in plus/minus (+23) to help PSU win the inaugural MASCAC Women's Ice Hockey Tournament. In addition to her time on the ice, McNeil worked as a student athletic trainer for five PSU varsity teams and completed an internship at the New Hampton School, working with ten varsity programs at the prep school.
 
From Head Men's Soccer Coach Rob Wright: "Sondre is one of the finest young men that I have had the privilege to coach at PSU. He always led by example, both on and off the field. A respectful, compassionate, team-first guy, who always made the right choices for the group, even when it meant missing out on individual accolades. He truly embraced the role of captain as one of service to the team and program. Sondre graduated in 3.5 years with a degree in Finance and minors in both Economics and Accounting. His near-perfect GPA was even more remarkable, given that he was studying in his second language. Sondre was heavily involved with the Honors Program and Investment Club, as well as working for athletics as event staff. He served as President of PSU's Delta Mu Delta Honors Society in Business and was the Treasurer of the International Club, worked at multiple Admissions Open House events, and played a key role in helping us recruit both international and domestic student-athletes."
 
From Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach Ben Chipman: "Lauren defines everything it means to demonstrate leadership, strength of character and service to others on and off the ice. She was dominant on the blue line this season, where her unique combination of height and skill made her virtually impossible to play against. Almost more impressive were Lauren's leadership, character, and service to others. As a graduate student working towards her Master's in Athletic Training, she led by example both by the way she played and with how seriously she took her academics and professional development. During one calendar year, she worked with 15 varsity teams at PSU and the New Hampton School and completed her Master's, while having the best season of her collegiate career. She was also named to the MASCAC Sportsmanship Team, selected based on her ability to showcase true respect for her teammates, coaches, and opponents. Lauren has signed to play professional hockey next season in Sweden where she will work as an Athletic Trainer for young Swedish hockey players and athletes as well as continuing playing the game she has such a passion for!"
 
   
Senior Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) became just the second women's lacrosse player in program history to surpass 200 career goals, finishing the year with personal bests in goals, assists, points, and caused turnovers. The back-to-back LEC Offensive Player of the Year earned a third-straight All-LEC First Team selection and was named IWLCA All-Pilgrim Region Second Team. She leaves PSU in the top three in career goals (second – 205), assists (third – 91), and points (third – 296).
 
From Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Becky Dale: "Julia's consistent leadership on offense empowered her teammates and established trust, unity, and grit that led us to a record-breaking season. Off the field, Julia is a physical education student who spent her final semester teaching health and education at Lin-Wood Public School in Lincoln. She made a lasting impact on her students by teaching them various sports and encouraging a love for movement. Julia embraced the small class sizes and instilled confidence in kids to be active participants in sports. Her influence extended beyond the classroom, as her students would attend our home games and proudly hold handmade signs supporting the team. Julia's character, dedication, and passion for empowering the next generation demonstrates her strength of character and her responsibility to others. She will continue to make an impact on women's equity in sports at any school she works at."
 
   
Freshman Rowan McCarthy (Pepperell, Mass.) appeared in all 20 games for the men's soccer team, earning 18 starts and playing the full 90 minutes in 16 contests. He helped anchor a defensive unit that posted four shutouts, including a 3-0 win over Keene State in the LEC Tournament – the Panthers' first postseason appearance since the 2015 season.
 
From Head Men's Soccer Coach Rob Wright: "Rowan had an outstanding freshman year at PSU. On the field, he quickly adapted to college soccer, earning the respect of his teammates, opponents, and coaching staff to the extent that he was named a co-captain for the upcoming Fall 2025 season. In the classroom, he had an exceptional year with a near-perfect GPA, while earning rave reviews from his professors in the Health and Human Performance department. Rowan was one of the department's key ice hockey event staff, working multiple front-of-house and behind-the-scenes positions during hockey season. He is an exemplary student-athlete, and we are delighted he has been recognized for this award."
 
   
Senior Erik Lavallee (Conn.) graduated in December after serving as the department intern for three semesters. A mainstay on the sidelines or in the press box of home athletics events, Lavallee was so exceptional as an intern that he was hired as the department's Senior Program Support Coordinator shortly after completing his degree. In his role as an intern, Lavallee tackled a multitude of tasks, including serving as the welcoming face of the department for visiting teams and officials.
 
From Associate Director of Athletics Courtney O'Clair: "Since his freshman year, Erik has been a dedicated and indispensable part of our department. His commitment, reliability, and professionalism are truly unmatched, and I can say without hesitation that Erik is the best student worker I have ever supervised. His work ethic is exemplary. He has never missed a shift, always arrives early, and has events set up well ahead of time – executed with a level of precision and efficiency that impresses everyone around him. He approaches every task with the same level of diligence and pride. Officials frequently comment on how much they enjoy working events at PSU, largely because of the trust they have in Erik – whether he's running the chains at football, operating the scoreboard or shot clock, or serving as the point person for an event. He ensures everything runs smoothly and professionally, embodies the spirit of this recognition, and has made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to PSU athletics."