May 2023
Recognizing the outstanding achievements of our University of Southern Maine student-athletes is something we are proud to do. The May 2023 edition of the UCU/Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month are the last of the 2022-23 academic year, and celebrates the partnership between Huskies' Athletics partnered and University Credit Union for this monthly award to highlight the varied and vital contributions USM student-athletes make in competition, in the classroom and in the community. Whether its big-time performances for their team, or big steps in their academic and career goals, or our student-athletes commitment to Community Service, USM & UCU are ready to celebrate our Student-Athletes of the Month.
Chosen by members of the Athletic Department administration, recipients of this honor successfully embody the Five Pillars of USM Athletics: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community.
For May 2023, the UCU Student-Athlete of the Month honors a pair of student-athletes from the Huskies' men's and women's track & field programs – who have achieved athletically, academically and have been valuable members of the Huskies' community and beyond. Both high-scoring performers for their respective teams, Huskies' Athletics is excited to honor seniors
Sophia Slovenski (Cape Neddick, Maine) and
Riley Peterson (Barnet, Vermont) . Huskies' Athletics looks forward to continuing this recognition program during the 2023-2024 academic year and its valuable partnership with University Credit Union.
Riley Peterson | Marketing | Men's Track & Field
Claiming the 2023 Little East Conference crown in the Pole Vault for the second straight outdoor season and earning first team all-conference honors, Peterson capped his outstanding career as a Husky student-athlete earning his third United States Track & Field, Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honor.
Named the UCU Student-Athlete of the Month of the second time in his career, Peterson is a four-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete and recently earned his degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Maine. Recently named the 2023 recipient of the Kimberly M. Turner Award – presented to the Athletics student-employee who has gone above and beyond in their role and been a peer role model in work ethic, professionalism and dedication, Peterson was also recognized by USM Student Employment as one of its highlighted students.
Sophia Slovenski | Health Sciences | Women's Track & Field
Capping an outstanding career as a student-athlete that included three NCAA Division III All-American citations, a National Championship and an Academic All-American, Slovenski won the 2023 Little East Conference Pole Vault championship for the second year in a row and helped the Huskies claim their 22
nd LEC Outdoor Track & Field Title. Earning first team honors from the Little East Conference in the pole vault, Slovenski was a second team honoree in the Long Jump.
A four-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete, Slovenski recently earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors and was named the 2023 Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership Award winner for the second consecutive year.
President of Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Slovenski helped guide the student-organization through another successful year, culminating in the group earning the University's Service to Community Award. Recently selected as one of the University's Featured Graduates, Slovenski has made service to community a central theme in her career as a USM student-athlete, led the way for a Strong Girls United chapter at the University of Southern Maine, and presently is a mentor within the program.
She earned her degree in Health Science this May.
