Kerrigan, Kelly, and Chard Highlight Major Awards at WAA Banquet

PHOTOS

CHICAGO -- The Women's Athletic Association presented several awards at their annual 2026 WAA Banquet on Tuesday night at the Ida Noyes Hall. Mary Stuart Kerrigan highlighted the night by winning the Dudley Medal. Emma Kelly earned the Mary Jean Mulvaney Scholar-Athlete Award, Emma Kelly added the Patricia R. Kirby award, and Anna Chard added the Heart of the Team award to cap off the major awards of the night.

The Dudley Medal Award, presented to the outstanding senior athlete for leadership and skill in women's athletics, was awarded to Mary Stuart Kerrigan. Kerrigan helped lead lead the Maroons to their first National Semifinal appearance since 2017 with wins over UW-Superior, UW-La Crosse, #17 Cal Lutheran, and Carleton. She was one of only two UChicago players to start in all 22 games this season as she led the UChicago offense up top. During the season, Kerrigan earned 2nd-Team All-America honors, 1st-Team All-Region honors, and a 1st-Team All-UAA selection after recording career-highs of 13 points, 8 goals, and 5 assists during her senior campaign.

The Women's Athletic Association also awarded the Mary Jean Mulvaney Scholar-Athlete Award. The award is presented to the female senior with the highest GPA during their junior and senior years. The student must be a four-year participant who has won at least three Major "C" awards. Transfer students who have competed for three years and have earned at least three Major "C" awards are also eligible.

The 2026 Mary Jean Mulvaney Scholar-Athlete Award recipient was Emma Kelly. Kelly helped lead the University of Chicago women's cross country and track and field teams this year, and she was named the Team MVP in both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. Kelly was a 1st-Team All-American in the Indoor Distance Medley Relay, and she won the UAA Championship in the Indoor Mile Run. Kelly also earned four All-Region selections across her three sports. During her career, Kelly is a 3-time 1st-Team All-American and 6-time All-Region honoree with the Maroons, and she won the Indoor Distance Medley Relay National Championship last season.

The Patricia R. Kirby Award is presented to a female senior student-athlete who showed significant support of multiple UChicago teams, leadership in the Women's Athletic Association, and exemplary service to the campus community. The 2026 Patricia R. Kirby Award was also awarded to Emma Kelly.

Swigart has led the Maroons to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and she helped the team win the CCIW Regular Season and Tournament titles in all three seasons they were in the league. She is also a 2-time Academic All-Conference honoree and was named to the 2024 IWLCA Honor Roll. Swigart was also a four-year practice player for the women's basketball program.

The Heart of the Team Award is presented to a senior student-athlete who has provided life, spirit, and guidance, and demonstrated enthusiasm, perseverance, and a positive attitude throughout her career.

The 2026 Heart of the Team Award recipient was Anna Chard. Chard was a vocal team leader for the UChicago women's soccer team as she helped lead the Maroons to their first National Semifinal appearance since 2017 with wins over UW-Superior, UW-La Crosse, #17 Cal Lutheran, and Carleton.

The Edith Ballwebber Award is presented to student-athletes with the best total contribution to the athletic program as defined by athletic performance, team leadership, initiative, improvement, and contributions to the Womem's Athletic Association. Student-athletes must be nominated by their coaches and submit an application and essay to the selection committee.

The 2026 Edith Ballwebber Award winners were Alexandra Milisavljevic, Jamie Nguyen, Peyton McGuire, and Alexis Clark.

In addition to the two main awards, each individual team gave out their Team MVP award and a few other sport-specific awards. Those winners of those awards are listed below.

Women's Basketball

Team MVP - Kate Gross

Women's Cross Country

Team MVP - Katja Dunayevich

Women's Lacrosse

Team MVP - Jill Hooey

Women's Soccer

Team MVP - Jamie Nguyen

Softball

Team MVP - Madeline Murphy

Women's Swimming & Diving

Team MVP - Alicia Soosai

Women's Tennis

Team MVP - Sarena Biria

Max Davidson Award - Lauren Khou and Brooke Pedersen

Women's Track & Field

Indoor Team MVP - Emma Kelly

Outdoor Team MVP - Emma Kelly

Volleyball

Team MVP - Diya Mishra