Members of the Princeton Athletics community gathered on May 22, 2025 to celebrate and honor the Princeton Athletics Class of 2025 as part of the Gary Walters '67 PVC Awards Banquet. The celebration highlighted the historic four-year competitive success of this year's graduating seniors and the legacy left behind by its 246 class members.
BANQUET SIGHTS & SOUNDS
PRINCETON ATHLETICS 2024-25 HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
CLASS OF 1916 CUP
Awarded annually to the Princeton varsity letterwinner who, continuing in competition, achieved at graduation the highest academic standing.
This year's finalists were Nathalie Barnes (swimming & diving), Anna Cornelissen (open rowing), Sofie Grouws (rugby), Nicholas Lawson (fencing) and Caroline Zhao (men's lightweight rowing).
CLASS OF 1916 CUP - RECIPIENT
CAROLINE ZHAO '25 | MEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING
Caroline Zhao has helped pace the Princeton men's lightweight rowing team as coxswain of the 4th varsity boat. During a historic 2023 season, the Tigers won the IRA National Championship after racing to an Ivy League title and Eastern Sprints Championship.
Zhao has volunteered with the Special Olympics as part of their partnership with Princeton Rowing, and supported undergraduate students within her major as President of the Princeton Engineering Council. A two-time Shapiro Prize recipient, Zhao was also one of two students awarded the George B. Wood Legacy Prize, in recognition of exceptional academic achievement during their junior year. A Westfield, N.J. native, Zhao is majoring in chemical and biological engineering with certificates in computer science and finance.
CHRIS SAILER LEADERSHIP AWARD
Given annually to senior student-athletes that demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving others.
This year's finalists were Mia Coene (ice hockey), Thomas Rosini (squash), Isaac Rotenberg (water polo), Avery Shunneson (track & field), Mikey Squires (wrestling) and Gracie Wood (volleyball).
CHRIS SAILER LEADERSHIP AWARD - RECIPIENTS
MIA COENE '25 | ICE HOCKEY
Mia Coene is a forward and two-year captain for Princeton women’s ice hockey. A reliable, two-way player known for her leadership and commitment to both ends of the ice, Coene appeared in more than 120 games during her career, including serving as the center for the team’s checking line. A two-time ECAC All-Academic Team honoree and record-setting performer in the weight room, Coene is regarded as one of the most respected players and impactful leaders to come through the program.
Off the ice, Coene has supported her team as a SCORRE leader to promote healthy interpersonal relationships, and served on the Varsity Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (VSAAC), helping to enhance the collective student-athlete experience.Additionally, Coene has worked as a research assistant on campus, volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and interned with Let Her Play, a nonprofit promoting girls participation in sports programming. Coene is a politics major from Clayton, N.Y.
THOMAS ROSINI '25 | SQUASH
Thomas Rosini is a two-year captain for Princeton men’s squash. A CSA First Team All-American, Rosini helped the Tigers to the 2024 Ivy League championship behind a dramatic 5-4 team win over Penn in the last match ever played in Jadwin Gym. Rosini’s versatility and selflessness have been on display throughout his career, anchoring the Tiger ladder anywhere from the No. 1 to No. 6 positions.
In his role as team captain, Rosini spearheaded collaboration with the coaching staff to implement helpful improvements to the program’s operations, which helped propel the Tigers to back-to-back CSA Potter Cup semifinal appearances. Rosini demonstrated an uncanny ability to inspire others and drive meaningful and lasting change.
A CSA Scholar-Athlete and Gladwyne, Pa. native, Rosini is majoring in Philosophy with a minor in Computer Science. He serves as an elected Undergraduate Student-Representative for Princeton’s Department of Philosophy.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE CLASS OF 2025
ART LANE '34 AWARD
Awarded to an undergraduate student-athlete(s) in recognition of his or her selfless contribution to sport and society. Given in memory of Art Lane '34 by family and friends.
This year's finalists were Lexi Allen (track & field/cross country), Erica De San Jorge (rugby), Sam Kleiner (heavyweight rowing), Issa Mudashiru (soccer) and Maddie Seltzer (swimming & diving).
ART LANE '34 AWARD - RECIPIENTS
ISSA MUDASHIRU '25 | SOCCER
A senior captain and defender for Princeton men’s soccer, Issa Mudashiru helped the Tigers to both an Ivy League Regular Season and Ivy League Tournament Championship during his four years at Princeton.
A 2025 Schwarzman Scholar and Spirit of Princeton Award recipient, Mudashiru has displayed a commitment to service, participating in both the Tiger Pals mentoring program and Reading with the Tigers initiatives. Additionally, he founded his own nonprofit, the Dunya Soccer Foundation to help bring equipment and his love for soccer to youth in West Africa.
Mudashiru had served as Vice President of the Black Premedical Society and as a Global Health Scholar for the Princeton Center of Health and Wellbeing. A Student-Athlete Wellness Leader, he has also mentored undergraduate students with the Princeton University Mentoring Program and recently completed an internship with the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding. From Bethesda, Md., Mudashiru is a medical anthropology major pursuing certificates in East Asian studies and global health and health policy.
MADDIE SELTZER '25 | SWIMMING & DIVING
Maddie Seltzer is a senior diver for Princeton women’s swimming and diving, helping the Tigers three-peat as Ivy League champions. Seltzer is a three-time NCAA Zone Championships participant.
Out of the pool, Seltzer has been a two-year fellow for Team IMPACT, pairing children with serious illnesses and disabilities with Princeton teams to create life changing experiences. Under her guidance and leadership, Princeton was named the 2023-24 Division I Team IMPACT Fellowship Campus of the Year, honoring meaningful team partnerships and outstanding campus leadership.
Seltzer is also a recipient of the 2025 Spirit of Princeton Award, recognizing her impact on the campus community. As a two-year Co-President of the Student-Athlete Service Council, she has helped shape broad-based service offerings for Princeton student-athletes. Additionally, Seltzer has taught underserved students in Vietnam as part of the Coach for College initiative and is a co-founder of the Jewish Student-Athlete Collective. A sociology major from Scarsdale, NY, Seltzer is completing an additional certificate in Entrepreneurship.
CLASS OF 1967 PVC CITIZEN ATHLETE AWARD
Presented by the Princeton Varsity Club for contributions to sport and society.
RECIPIENT - KARA NORTMAN '97
Kara Nortman '97 is a former Princeton rower who walked onto the women’s open rowing team and competed all four years for the Tigers. She graduated from Princeton with an AB in Politics and later earned an MBA from Stanford University.
In 2023, Nortman announced the creation of Monarch Collective, an investment platform focused on women's sports teams, leagues, and adjacent rights opportunities. Monarch Collective’s strategy centers on investing in established leagues such as the NWSL, with current investments in Boston Legacy FC, the San Diego Wave, and Angel City Football Club. Nortman is also co-founder of Angel City Football Club, which has quickly risen to become the most valuable women's soccer team in the world since its inception in 2020.
Throughout her professional career, Nortman has stayed engaged with Princeton Athletics. She was featured (alongside classmate Angie Long ’97) in the Jake McCandless ’51 PVC Speaker Series in Spring 2021 as part of Princeton’s year-long celebration of 50 years of Women’s Athletics. Additionally, Nortman participated in a recent Reunions panel discussion with several Princetonians who hold ownership roles within NWSL franchises (feature story).
MARVIN BRESSLER AWARD
Presented to that member of the Princeton family who, through heartfelt support of the University's student-athletes and coaches, best embodies a belief in the lifelong lessons taught by competition and athletics as a complement to the overall educational mission.
RECIPIENT - MOMO WOLAPAYE
Momo Wolapaye is Assistant Dean for Student Life for Whitman College, one of Princeton’s seven active residential colleges for undergraduate students.
In his role in Whitman College, Wolapaye serves as the primary crisis case manager, available to talk with students about concerns around well-being and can refer them to appropriate campus resources. Wolapaye works with relevant campus partners to provide social and community development programs, develop student leaders and identify resources that can best support students to ensure their continuing success.
A former collegiate soccer player and avid supporter of all Princeton varsity teams, Wolapaye formally serves as an Athletics Fellow for the football and men’s basketball programs, helping to provide broad-based campus support and mentorship to those programs and student-athletes.
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBER | GRACE BAYLIS '20
The PVC is proud to recognize young alumni who have continued to be servant leaders and positively impact society in their time since graduation with honorary PVC Lifetime Memberships. This year’s recipient is Grace Baylis ’20, a former Art Lane '34 Award recipient and two-year captain for Princeton Field Hockey.
During her time at Princeton, Baylis helped the Tigers to two Ivy League titles, two NCAA Final Four appearances, and one NCAA Final. She also served on the Student-Athlete Wellness Leader (SAWL) executive team and implemented the Pause Wall, which still hangs in Caldwell Fieldhouse.
Since graduating, Baylis has remained heavily involved in the Princeton alumni community, serving on the Alumni Council Executive Committee, as her Class Reunions chair and the events lead for the Princeton Women’s Network of Northern California. She recently served on the Steering Committee for Princeton’s Every Voice LGBTQ+ alumni affinity conference.
Princeton alumni and members of the Princeton Athletics community can also become PVC Lifetime Members by making a one-time $5,000 gift to the PVC.
FORD TIGER GAME CHANGERS AWARD | PRINCETON SOFTBALL
Presented annually to a Princeton varsity team that best represents the spirit of serving the broader Princeton community.
Princeton softball continues to build upon their Tiger Sisters program, engaging with young girls in the community as pen pals and around select games and special events. They also adopted their new teammate Brooke and fostered a life changing partnership through Team IMPACT, a national organization that pairs children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college sports teams.
The team has collaborated with the nonprofit Let Her Play to increase participation in youth sports among young girls in addition to many softball players volunteering as Tiger Pals mentors and readers in local elementary schools.
TIGER BECH '21 | SPECIAL RECOGNITION
The Princeton Athletics family paid tribute to Tiger Bech '21. A beloved member of the Princeton Football program, Bech was tragically lost in the New Orleans Bourbon Street attack on New Year's Day. Friends and family of Bech attended the banquet where they received a standing ovation as they accepted an honorary award in his memory.
WILLIAM WINSTON ROPER TROPHY
Awarded annually to a Princeton senior man of high scholastic rank and outstanding qualities of sportsmanship and general proficiency in athletics. Presented by Mrs. William W. Roper and the Class of 1902.
This year's finalists were Nicholas Lawson (fencing), Coulter Mackesy (lacrosse), Roko Pozaric (water polo), Henry Wedbush (volleyball) and Harrison Witt (track & field/cross country).
WILLIAM WINSTON ROPER TROPHY - RECIPIENT
ROKO POZARIC '25 | WATER POLO
Roko Pozaric is a four time All-American and three time conference player of the year for Princeton men’s water polo. He is Princeton’s all-time leading goal scorer with 281 tallies while also ranking second all-time in assists, ranking Pozaric as arguably the best player in program history. An economics major from Zagreb Croatia, Pozaric made an immediate impact when he arrived at Princeton, being named the Northeast Water Polo Conference Rookie of the Year and Rookie of the Tournament on his way to his first All-American honors.
In 2023, Pozaric had a career year and received recognition as the NWPC Tournament MVP and was named a Cutino Award finalist, an award presented annually by the Olympic Club to honor the nation’s most outstanding Division I male and female water polo athletes. He has helped transform the program into a national contender, winning the conference title four years in a row, making it to the Final Four in 2023 behind a program record 28 wins, and finishing ranked fifth in the country the last two seasons. Pozaric is a four time First Team All NWPC performer, 14-time conference player of the week and won an astonishing 90% of his sprints over his four years with the Tigers.
C. OTTO VON KIENBUSCH AWARD
Given annually to a Princeton senior woman of high scholastic rank who has demonstrated general proficiency in athletics and the qualities of a true sportswoman. Presented in memory of C. Otto von Kienbusch ’06, friend and benefactor of women’s athletics at Princeton.
This year's finalists were McKenzie Blake (lacrosse), Katherine George (open rowing), Victoria Liu (golf), Mena Scatchard (track & field/cross country) and Kayla Yelensky (water polo).
C. OTTO VON KIENBUSCH AWARD - RECIPIENT
MENA SCATCHARD '25 | TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
An eight-time Ivy League champion, Mena Scatchard is one of the most accomplished distance runners in the 47 year history of Princeton women’s track and field. A 2025 NCAA indoor runner-up in the mile, Scatchard is just the second Tiger to place that high at nationals – and she did it while climbing from 10th to second with the fastest final two laps in the entire field. At the conference level, Scatchard won individual Ivy League titles in four events, while winning four 4×800 relay titles. She set four facility records during her championship performances. Additionally, she is a nine-time First Team and three-time Second Team All-Ivy honoree.
A public & international affairs major from North Yorkshire, U.K., Scatchard holds seven program records, including the 5000m, 1500m, 3000m, mile, 800m, 4×800 relay and distance medley relay. Scatchard’s performances have landed her in the Ivy League all-time top-10, all-meets in seven events.
A rare middle distance runner that also excels on the cross country course, Scatchard is a two-time All-Ivy performer and finished second overall to lead the Tigers to their first cross country Heps title in nine years. Scatchard’s individual achievements and leadership have helped the Tigers to their first Triple Crown since 2011 and third all-time – two milestones that will be cemented and cherished in the history of the program.
Credits:
Princeton Athletics, Sideline Photos, Shelley Szwast