HARTFORD, Conn. - It was a banner year for Trinity College Athletics in many ways in 2022-23, particularly in the classroom, as Keelyn McNamara (North Hampton, N.H.), a women's lacrosse senior, and Jacob Borgida (Minneapolis, Minn.), a men's ice hockey senior, were announced as the College's valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for Trinity's Commencement on May 21. McNamara finished her collegiate days with a 4.175 g.p.a. as an interdisciplinary computing major with a focus on studio arts, while Borgida majored in biology and plans to attend medical school.  The pair have accumulated countless academic honors from various organizations within their respective sports and were named as Trinity's top senior scholar-athletes of the year this spring.

"I am incredibly proud to have two student-athletes honored in this way," McNamara said.  "It gives a great representation of the type of student-athletes Trinity has.  It also shows how being an athlete can be helpful in so many areas of college life.  I learned how to manage my time and I also received so much support from my teammates, coaches, and the athletic department staff."

"I wad thrilled to hear from President [Joanne] Berger-Sweeney that I was the salutatorian, especially since we are both have science and STEM backgrounds," Borgida added. "This honor is particularly special at Trinity where being a student-athlete is such a big deal and the teams have such great success.  We really have the opportunity to excel in both academics and athletics here."
 

McNamara was the first person to walk on stage and receive her diploma, and cheered enthusiastically by her classmates and teammates.  McNamara had worn her Trinity lacrosse uniform for the last time that same weekend after the Bantams had just finished their 2023 season with a setback at top-ranked Middlebury in the NCAA Tournament the previous day. 

"That moment was probably the peak of my existence to this point," said McNamara.  "I was so proud to do that in front of my family. I had a feeling that I had accomplished everything that I had set out to do.  The other seniors on my team were so excited for me.  It was fantastic to represent Trinity lacrosse in this way. It was surreal and it was so emotional to realize that I was completely done with college in one weekend."
 
Borgida credits his open line of communication with Trinity Men's Ice Hockey Coach Matt Greason and the team's faculty liaison, Lisa-Anne Foster, for helping him stay on top of his studies.  By planning out his work systematically, prioritizing, and reaching out to professors ahead of time, Borgida was able to keep his grades at an elite level even during the season.  On the ice, Borgida overcame various injuries early in his college career and was a key member of Trinity's defensive unit the last two winters.

"All of my professors were understanding on the few occasions where I had to miss class.  The key was to establish a good relationship with them early on and be pro-active," Borgida commented.  "Also, Trinity hockey has such a great tradition of success.  I tried to lead by example in every practice, every game, every shift.  I was able to build trust with Coach Greason over time and it paid off."