SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University Department of Athletics celebrated another exceptional year with its annual Athletic Awards Banquet on Monday, May 11.
Bryant honored its outstanding student-athletes as Michael Otty (football) and Christopher Buonocore (men's swimming and diving) were named Male Athletes of the Year. Olivia Hillman (bowling) and Jasmine Trott (track and field/cross country) were awarded Female Athlete of the Year honors. Abdel Talabi (men's soccer) received the Ronald K. Machtley Career Award, while Natalia Vela (tennis) was named the Kati Machtley Career Award winner.
Otty wrapped up an outstanding career by earning all-conference honors for the third time; all in a different conference. He was named First Team All-CAA after posting 17.5 tackles for a loss, ranking in the top five nationally. Buonocore also enjoyed a career year this winter, winning America East Diver of the Meet honors for the second time in his career. He also competed in the U.S. Winter Nationals and qualified for the NCAA Diving Zones for a third-straight year.
Hillman made history this winter, becoming the first All-American in women's bowling program history. She helped the Bulldogs win the ECC Championship and qualify for the NCA National Championships for the first time in program history. Trott also made history this year, becoming the first female to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships. She won the America East Cross Country title and just recently claimed the 10K title at the America East Outdoor Championships.
Talabi found himself at the heart of the historic run for Bryant men's soccer over the last three seasons. He began his career at Bryant in the Fall of 2020 and would go on to play in 80 games for the Black and Gold, helping the Bulldogs reach two NCAA Tournaments, including a run to the Sweet 16 this past fall.
Vela put the finishing touches on an incredible career this spring as she led the Bulldogs to their second-straigth OVC Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Vela graduates as one of the winningest tennis players in school history, having accumulated over 125 victories in singles and doubles play.
Ronald K. Machtley Career Award: Abdel Talabi, men's soccer
Kati Machtley Career Award: Natalia Vela, women's tennis
Male Athlete of the Year: Michael Otty, football | Christopher Buonocore, men's swimming and diving
Female Athlete of the Year: Olivia Hillman, bowling | Jasmine Trott, women's track and field/cross country
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Dawson Rielly, men's lacrosse
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Lauren Rothwell, field hockey
FAR Award for Academic Improvement: Women's Soccer
Academic Excellence Award: Women's Swimming and Diving
Coaches Award: Mikey Calabrese, Compliance
12th Man Award: David Leduc, Boatsman
Peter Sullivan Award: David Masse
NCAA Woman of the Year: Maddie Luke, women's soccer
Omar Shareef Spirit Award: Ellie Myers, women's golf
Dr. William T. O'Hara Leadership Award: Christopher Buonocore, men's swimming and diving | London Hunt, volleyball
Strength and Conditioning Award: Ella Goulas, women's track and field | Jorge Rodriguez, men's soccer
Nassaney Bulldog Cup: Women's Lacrosse
BULLDOG AWARD WINNERS
Women's Cross Country: Jasmine Trott
Men's Cross Country: Aiden Masse
Field Hockey: Natalie Griffin
Men's Soccer: Jorge Veintimilla
Women's Soccer: Selena Negron
Volleyball: Arianna Ugolini
Football: Michael Otty
Men's Swimming and Diving: Christopher Buonocore
Women's Swimming and Diving: Jill Carline
Men's Track and Field: Aiden Guarneri
Women's Track and Field: Ashley Brule
Men's Basketball: Keegan Harvey
Women's Basketball: Maranda Nyborg
Men's Tennis: Myles Peterson
Women's Tennis: Natalia Vela
Men's Golf: Dylan Gallagher
Women's Golf: Jenelle Velera
Baseball: Ellis Garcia
Softball: Jaiden McKenna
Men's Lacrosse: Tom Caito
Women's Lacrosse: Riley O'Mara
Women's Bowling: Hayden Smith
Women's Rowing: Bridget Moore
