The Middlebury women’s lacrosse team captured its fifth consecutive NCAA Championship with an 8-6 victory over Wesleyan on May 25. The match was tightly contested, with the teams tied at three entering the second half. The Panthers outscored the Cardinals 5-3 in the final 30 minutes, marking the program's 50th national title. Caroline Adams led the way with a standout performance, contributing significantly to the team's scoring throughout the tournament. Her efforts, along with those of Skylar Lach and Mya Waryas, proved pivotal in securing the championship.
In softball, Kristyn Carroll made history by becoming the second player in program history to be named an NFCA All-American, earning a spot on the third team. Carroll's impressive season included leading the Panthers with a .500 batting average and resetting several program records, including hits and runs scored. She also received NESCAC Player of the Year honors and was recognized as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree for the third consecutive year. Carroll's contributions were crucial during the NCAA Tournament, where she recorded five hits in the Medford Regional and was named to the all-tournament team.
The Middlebury men's track and field team saw six athletes earn USTFCCCA All-American honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Notably, Joey Caspar secured First Team honors in the 400-meter hurdles, while Benjamin Hughes, Owen Johnson, and the 4x400 relay team also received accolades. On the women's side, Claire Palmer and Lilly Wurtz were recognized as All-Americans in the 5,000 meters and discus, respectively, with Palmer completing a rare sweep of All-American honors across cross country and both indoor and outdoor track.
In baseball, Henry Ayers was named the Region 1 Rookie of the Year, leading a trio of Panthers selected for all-region honors. Ayers’ remarkable debut season included a .476 batting average, making him one of the most difficult players to strike out in the league. His recognition, alongside teammates Sam Gersch and Christian Zebrowski, highlights a successful season for Middlebury baseball, setting a strong foundation for future campaigns.
