Riley Laygo, a junior from the University of Rochester, has made history by being named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III National Player of the Year, becoming the first player in program history to earn this prestigious accolade. Laygo's exceptional season included a .535 batting average, 85 hits, and 76 runs batted in over 46 games. In addition to her Player of the Year honor, she was also named First Team All-America, marking her second All-America selection after being a Second Team honoree in 2024. This recognition adds to the legacy of Rochester softball, which has now seen nine All-America honors since the program's inception in 1998. Furthermore, five of Laygo's teammates received College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, highlighting their academic and athletic excellence.
In women's lacrosse, senior attacker Alyssa Gorny has been selected to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) NCAA Division III Senior All-Star Team. Gorny, who concluded her career with a standout season, scored 65 goals and provided 23 assists, leading the Yellowjackets in offensive statistics. She will represent Rochester on the White All-Star squad in the upcoming Senior All-Star game on May 30 at the USA Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, Maryland.
The women's track and field team also celebrated significant achievements at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships, with four athletes earning All-America honors. Junior Nora Chen and first-year Lauren Murphy were recognized as First Team All-Americans for their top-eight finishes, while graduate student Molly FitzGibbons and junior Aimee Oszer earned Second Team honors. Murphy's performance included a record-breaking third-place finish in the long jump, where she set a new school record with a jump of 12.48 meters. Additionally, sophomore Emmett Hansen from the men's track and field team garnered Second-Team All-America honors for his 15th-place finish in the decathlon, showcasing his versatility across multiple events.
As the season winds down, Rochester's track and field athletes will look to build on their successes in future competitions, while the softball team prepares for the next academic year with a strong foundation of talent and recognition.