Welcoming a new class of greats to athletics hall of fame
Five individuals and two teams were inducted into the Wheaton Athletics Yowell Hall of Fame at a May ceremony.
Men’s soccer standout Shaun Cavanaugh ’03 was the first player in NEWMAC history to earn Player of the Year honors in consecutive seasons, while collecting All-America honors in his final two years. The Lyons went 65-16-2 during his career, and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2001.
Ashante Little ’14 won national championships in the 400 meters during both the 2013 outdoor and 2014 indoor seasons. In 2014, she earned the National Indoor and New England Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year accolades from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Little earned All-America honors in three individual hurdle races and eight relay teams and still holds five Wheaton records.
Neva Metcalf Curry ’00 is one of only seven women’s volleyball players to earn NEWMAC First Team All-Conference accolades four times. A four-time All Region selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and two-time First Team New England Women’s Volleyball Association member, she owns college career records with 2,084 kills and 338 aces, and ranks second in both digs and blocks.
As a relief pitcher, Michael Spavento ’02 earned American Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-America kudos as a senior. He recorded an NCAA Division III record of 19 saves with a 1.62 earned run average. His 35 career saves are the second most at Wheaton.
Niara Woods ’02 earned eight All-America selections as a middle distance runner (twice in the indoor 800 meters and six times as a relay team member). She helped the Lyons capture four national championships in the 4X400-meter relay race and maintains the school outdoor record in the 800 meters.
The 1997 Wheaton softball team posted a 45-7 record and advanced to the NCAA Division III national semifinals. Four team members earned All-America honors, led by first teamer Randi Carine ’97. The team led the nation with 38 home runs and ranked fourth with 131 stolen bases. Kim Sears ’00 finished 24-5 on the mound while Lisa Byrnes Lasser ’99 went 20-2.
The 2001 Lyons softball team finished 42-9 and also advanced to the national semifinals. Three All-Americans graced the diamond, led by First Team selection Jill D’Arcy Anzalone ’01. Maren Schrader Sullivan ’03 led the nation with 55 stolen bases and on the mound Jackie Demling ’04 went 26-6 and Christine Hineline ’04 finished 16-3.