GORHAM, Maine  –  Highlighted by a pair of outstanding student-athlete speakers – wrestling's Jake Peavey and softball's Lauren Miller -  the Huskies' Athletic Department's annual year-end celebration of its student-athlete achievements did not disappoint.
 
An annual tradition in its 24^th iteration, the 2023 Huskies' Athletics Senior Honors Banquet brought together coaches, staff, University faculty, family and friends to congratulate the years of hard work, dedication, success and service that is synonymous with University of Southern Maine student-athletes, and wish the more than 60 departing Husky seniors from the University's 22 Division III Intercollegiate teams luck in their next steps.
 
After opening remarks and dinner, Peavey shared his journey as a student-athletes and how the sport of wrestling gave him not only one of the biggest disappointments of his career, but the focus to achieve his biggest goal – claiming the 2023 Division III Northeast Championship and becoming an NCAA Division III All-American.  Peavey encouraged his peers to take control, and make decisions every day to set themselves up for success.
 
Later in the evening, Miller spoke to her experience as a student-athlete and the relationships and friendships she has been able to cultivate from within her team and beyond – a journey that took her from a bench player to starting right fielder and all-conference selection. 
 
As part of the celebration, Huskies' Athletics announced its annual department awards, including the Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership Award, the Roland Wirths Memorial Award, the Kimberly M. Turner Student Employee Award, the Albert D. Bean Leadership Award, and the Mike Beveridge Humanitarian Award.  Chosen from an outstanding pool of 25 nominees across the five prestigious awards, the list highlighted some of the best and brightest the USM Athletics community has to offer. 
 
The event began with the presentation of the Wirths Award, which has been given annual since 1980 in honors of the former Portland Press Herald sportswriter.  The award is given to the student-athletes who is the overachiever, the person small in stature who makes a big difference – an inspirational leader.  Two student-athletes received the award for 2023 men's ice hockey's Tanner McClure and women's soccer and lacrosse's Kiaya Gatchell. 
 
A four-year member of the hockey team, McClure is a three-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete and is earning his degree in Sports Management this spring.  Keeping busy off of the ice, McClure completed an internship with the Portland Sea Dogs in the summer of 2022, and is an active member in USM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  Recently, McClure helped establish USM's Best Buddies chapter on campus, which was recognized as the University's Outstanding New Student Organization. 
 
A two-sport standout for the 2022 Little East Conference Champion women's soccer team, and the playoff bound women's lacrosse team, Gatchell is an outstanding competitor and teammate for both programs. An All-LEC pick for lacrosse, Gatchell is a regular in the soccer team's starting lineup as well, helping the Huskies' establish team records for wins in a season and shutouts in a season.
 
On the heels of the Wirths award presentation, McClure was also announced as the 2023 recipient of the Mike Beveridge Humanitarian Award.  Established in 2022, the award is named in honor of the former long-time Huskies' hockey assistant, who passed away in the Fall of 2021.  This award will be given annually to a member of the Huskies' men's or women's hockey team who display the characteristics of care, compassion, generosity and selflessness in the likeness of Coach Beveridge.
 
Softball's Rona Scott and women's track & field's Sophia Slovenski were announced as recipients of the 2023 Hodgdon Leadership Award.  Given to the female student-athletes who exemplifies the qualities of the former Huskies' field hockey coach/faculty member who was a pioneer in women's athletics, each recipient is a woman of character, a valuable member of her team, and displays loyalty, dedication and commitment to the team, the sport and the University.
 
Both officers in the Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Scott and Slovenski are well known in the athletic department and beyond for their community-service oriented activities and leadership abilities on and off of the field of competition.  At the recent 2023 Student Leadership Awards Gala, Huskies' SAAC was recognized with the University's Commitment to Community Service Award.
 
A participant in numerous NCAA sponsored leadership academies, Scott has helped create and establish the Huskies' Career Closet, and has been an advocate for Diversity and Equity issues in athletics and beyond.  A two-time All-LEC selection at first base and a three-time William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete, Scott joined the Huskies' indoor track & field team this winter and helped USM to another Little East Conference championship. 
 
An NCAA National Champion, Academic All-American and a three-time NCAA All-American, Slovenski is a repeat winner of the Hodgdon Award, earning the accolade in 2022.  President of SAAC, Slovenski has extended her mentorship beyond USM and helped established the University's chapter of Strong Girls United. Recently, Slovenski and the outdoor track & field team claimed the program's 22^nd Little East Conference championship.
 
Peavey was a repeat recipient of the Bean Leadership Award, earning the accolade back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.  The award is presented to the male junior or senior student-athlete who has demonstrated the leadership qualities of compassion, respect, guidance and worth ethic displayed by Bean.
 
A two-year captain for the Huskies' wrestling team, Peavey has been a role model and mentor for his teammates throughout his career.  A three-time NCAA All-Region place winner, Peavey had a breakout season in 2022-2023, capturing the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Championship and earning NCAA All-American status.  Throughout his career as a Husky, Peavey has chipped  in during numerous SAAC sponsored events, and through his work with Husky Pack Chats was able to earn an internship, and a career offer with LL Bean.
 
The final award of the evening, the Turner Award was presented to Riley Peterson, a member of the men's track & field team and a long-time student employee in Athletic Communications.  The Turner Award is given annually to a student employee or volunteer who has consistently made significant contributions to the USM Athletic Department.  The recipient displays the characteristics of a mentor, a strong work ethic and the ability to go above and beyond in all facets of the job.
 
An All-LEC performer and conference champion in the pole vault for the Huskies' men's track & field team, Peterson has worked in Athletic Communications for two years and has helped elevated the department's digital footprint with his excellent videography skills.  Always willing to above and beyond to get the perfect shot, and to create exciting and engaging video content of USM Athletics and its student-athletes. 
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