NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Cat Boyle and Andrew Maeso have been named the Christopher Newport University Student-Athlete Leaders of the Year and were celebrated for their efforts during the CNU Student Leadership Awards Ceremony, which was held on Monday, April 15.
 
The annual honor is presented to student-athletes that best embody the qualities of a team leader on and off the playing field while serving as a positive role model. Coaches from every program are asked to nominate an individual for the award, and a committee chooses one male and one female for the prestigious honor.
 
Boyle, a member of the volleyball team, was selected as this year's female recipient. During her time with the squad, she served as a team captain during both her junior and senior campaigns.
                                                                                          
"Cat has done an amazing job of bridging the gap between players and coaches," said head coach Lindsay Birch. "I give her so much credit for the great reputation our team has for being good citizens in the community and on campus. I love that Cat cares so much about wanting the program to be the best at everything, not just winning. She pushes her teammates in so many areas of their life as a student-athlete."
 
In addition to her work with the volleyball team, Boyle has also served as the SAAC president during each of the past two years.
 
"My goal as a leader was to show that the friendships, the personal growth, and the happy memories are what is most valuable," said Boyle.
 
Earning the men's award, Maeso has been a four-year member of the men's soccer team. During his senior campaign, he served as a team captain.
 
"Andrew not only led by example, but he also led with his voice," said head coach Justin Chezem. "Whether the situation called for him to express himself loudly to motivate the group or just putting his arm around someone to give them some personal motivation, Andrew knew how to get to his teammates in a positive and productive way."
 
In addition to his work as a leader on the men's soccer team, Maeso is also a Rocovich Scholar and Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology major. He will be attending medical school in the fall.
 
"Being selected as Captain was the best reward because that showed my teammates trusted my leadership ability," said Maeso. "Being a leader afforded me the chance to make an everlasting impact on this program. More importantly, it allowed me a chance to make an eternal impact on my teammates."
 
---CNU---