Conn College’s Sean Smith a finalist for Unsung Hero Award

Connecticut College senior men's lacrosse player Sean Smith has been named a finalist for the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award, as announced by the organization on Wednesday.

The "YRL" Unsung Hero Award recognizes the accomplishments of six men's and women's collegiate lacrosse players from Divisions I, II, and III who demonstrate dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, leadership, kindness, and sportsmanship.

"Sean did an incredible job as a leader for our men's lacrosse team this spring," said interim head coach Jim Nagle. "He was instrumental in building a culture of inclusion and mutual respect while also connecting the team with the entire campus community."

Smith was a four-year starter and the Camels' second leading scorer this season who has more notably been an agent of change and a leader by example.

Smith, from Pasadena, Calif., was also among the seniors who spearheaded the team's initiative of raising $30,000 to benefit Boston Children's Hospital in February.

The six winners will be announced in late May. One Love will also make a donation in their name to the charity of their choice.

Avery Point honors

• The Avery Point women's basketball announced its year-end awards. Freshman Abby Stone of Old Lyme was named as the Most Valuable Player, classmate Carsen Keith of

Preston was named Most Improved Player and sophomore Victoria Vasquez of New London earned the Coaches' Award. Stone, a first-team All-Region honoree led the Pointers in scoring (23.2 ppg.), assists (5.8) and steals (3.3), and ranked second in rebounds (8.3). Keith averaged 8.3 points and 8.6 rebounds.

• The Avery Point men's basketball team announced its year-end awards. Freshman Cyrus Sprague was named Most Valuable Player, classmate Justice Farris of Fitch was named Most Improved Player and sophomores Trevor Yeomans of Waterford and Alec Gomes of Norwich each earned the Rob Oliver Coaches' Award. Sprague averaged 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while Farris averaged 2.6 points per game and provided a strong defense presence. Yeomans averaged 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds (career-high), 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game and Gomes averaged 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

Coast Guard honors

• Coast Guard placed a program record six cadet-athletes on the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference baseball Academic All-conference team. Senior Jon Pressley along with juniors Tom Ankers and Lukas Caskey were named to the team for the second straight season. Junior Dylan Donahue and sophomores Connor Glynn and Nolan Johnson earned All-Academic team honors for the first time.

• Senior Sarah Kemp was named to the NEWMAC softball Academic All-conference team for for the second straight season. Honorees must have met the following criteria: earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 scale or 4.35/5.0 scale after the 2019 fall semester, achieved second year academic status at her institution, and been a member of the varsity team for the entire season.

Mitchell honors

Two Mitchell College senior defenders were named to the New England Collegiate Conference's Del Malloy Sportsmanship teams. Christina Lawton made the women's lacrosse team and James Harland was selected to the men's lacrosse team. Groton's Lawton, the former St. Bernard standout, is a three-year letterwinner who played in 26 games and finished with 14 ground balls. Harland was the team captain. He played in 42 games and finished with 38 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers.