GORHAM, Maine – A national champion, Academic All-American, campus and community leader and a tireless advocate for girls and women in sport, Sophia Slovenski (Cape Neddick, Maine) concluded her tremendous career as a University of Southern Maine track & field student-athlete as one of the most decorated and accomplished women to wear a Husky uniform.  And, thanks to her entire body of work, numerous achievements, and dedication to the community, Slovenski has earned another honor and has been named the 2023 Little East Conference (LEC) Student Athlete of the Year.  As the LEC's Student-Athlete of the Year, Slovenski will represent the Little East as its nominee for the NCAA National Woman of the Year honor.  Slovenski is one of a record number 619 nominees from across the NCAA's three divisions for this prestigious recognition.  Within the nomination pool, 264 nominees come from NCAA Division I, 128 in Division II and 227 in Division III from a variety of sport and educational backgrounds.
 
Established in 1991 and now in its 33rd year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service, and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. Eligible student-athletes are nominated by their member institution, and then reviewed by their respective conference office. The conference office then makes its selection for its representative.  The Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will then choose the top 30 honorees (10 from each division).  From the final 30, the selection committee will announce its nine finalists, with the final selection for each Division's Woman of the Year being made in November.
 
Slovenski's selection as the Little East Conference Student-Athlete of the Year, also advances her to the Division III Commissioner's Association (D3CA) Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
 
"One of USM's and the nation's best and brightest, Sophia is quite simply one of the finest student-athletes to compete in a Huskies' uniform," said USM Director of Athletics Al Bean.  "She is exceptional in every way and has been an outstanding representative for the University of Southern Maine and the Little East Conference."
 
A leader for the Huskies' Athletics throughout her career in competition and in the community, Slovenski excelled as a member of Southern Maine's perennially successful track & field team. A two-year team captain of the women's track & field team, a three-time All-American and the 2021 NCAA Division III National Champion in the javelin, Slovenski has racked up an impressive collection of awards and honors both athletically and academically.
 
Recently named to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-American First Team, Slovenski is the first Husky student-athlete to earn first team honors twice in their career (previously earning first team Academic All-American honors in 2020-2021), and she is the first female student-athlete in University of Southern Maine history to earn multiple Academic All-America nods. She is one of two members of the Huskies' women's track and field program to be honored joining alumna Molly Carl, who was a Third Team selection in 2011-12.
 
Completing her degree this May, Slovenski earned her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences with a remarkable 3.97 grade point average. A two-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete, five-time LEC All-Academic Team Member and a two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete, Slovenski has proven herself to be not just an exceptional student-athlete but a community leader as well.  In April she was named the winner of the Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership Award for the second consecutive year thanks to her leadership efforts as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the founder of the University's Strong Girls United chapter, an organization in which she also serves as a mentor.
 
"I am so pleased to see Sophia recognized as this year's recipient of the LEC Women of the Year award and as a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year," said Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Kim Turner.  "Sophia is a shining example of the Division III philosophy as she represents the true ideal of a collegiate student-athlete. Her efforts in the classroom and on the track are exceptional; however, her true prowess shone through her diligent work in service and leadership.  She has made an impactful difference on our campus and in our community.  An outstanding ambassador of USM, the Little East Conference and the state of Maine, Sophia is one of the very best student-athletes to compete as a Husky.  Simply put, Sophia is a wonderful person and an inspiration for many.  USM is incredibly proud of Sophia, and we are thrilled that she is being recognized by the institution and Little East Conference for her outstanding achievements."
 
Selected by the USM Athletics Department staff, The Hodgdon Leadership Award is presented annually to the female student-athlete who exemplifies the qualities of the former USM Field Hockey Coach/faculty member and administrator, who was a pioneer in women's athletics: athletic achievement, loyalty, leadership, dedication, and commitment. A repeat winner of the award, Slovenski's contributions to campus life, the community and the student-athlete experience are remarkable.  As president of the Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Slovenski helped lead the largest student-group on campus to the University's 2023 Commitment to Community Service Award.  Her leadership and dedication helped SAAC and the student-athlete body create and strengthen bonds within the campus and extended community through a variety of programming, including SAAC's Unified Sports (a partnership with Maine Special Olympics), the Huskies' Annual Community Halloween Party, Husky Fri-Yays, Mental Health Sundays, and more.
 
Over the last two years, Slovenski has extended her mentorship and desire to make an impact beyond the USM campus and established the University's chapter of Strong Girls United – a non-profit organization that promotes participation and retention in girls' sports.  
 
After volunteering at several National Girls and Women in Sport events, working with USM Associate Director of Athletics Kim Turner, and serving as a guest speaker for a Maine Girls and Women in Sport Panel, Slovenski connected with Strong Girls United founder Lani Silversides and realized that her success in sport gave her a chance to be a role model for young girls.
 
Since the formation of USM's Strong Girls United chapter and its first event in the spring of 2021 on Huskies' Hannaford Field, its National Girls and Women in Sports Day events at the Husky Track Invitational, through the spring of 2023 when Huskies' women's lacrosse and softball teamed up with SGU to host a free play day, Slovenski has grown the program on campus to include many of her peers in other sports now taking an active role in mentorship.  
 
"This is a tremendous honor, and I am very grateful to the University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics for the nomination and opportunity to represent USM," said Slovenski.  "Being a student-athlete at the University of Southern Maine has given me tremendous opportunities to pursue my athletic and academic interests and helped me to discover my voice and passion within community building.  My coaches and teammates have been a tremendous support throughout my student-athlete experience, and they've helped me achieve many of my goals.
 
As a mentor, I've received incredible mentorship through the accomplished and strong women I've been able to learn from and work alongside with including Strong Girls United founder Lani Silversides, Kim Turner, and former SAAC advisor Samantha Norris.  Those moments of connection through my conversations with Kim, work with Strong Girls United kept me motivated and driven to stay in my sport and work towards my goals. \"