Athletics Salutes Top Award Winners

Hailey Brigger ’24 and Owen Fauth ’24 won top honors at the annual Athletic Awards Ceremony this May in the Chapel. Brigger, a forward and midfielder on the field hockey team, and Fauth, a forward and midfielder on the men’s soccer team, were presented with the Matthew Vassar Outstanding Career awards during the two-hour event.

Brigger, a biochemistry major from San Diego, CA, was named a Second Team All-American this year and was selected to the All-Liberty League First Team and the National Field Hockey Coaches All-Region First Team three years in a row. She ranks in the top-10 all-time in goals, assists, and points for Vassar and was part of the 2021 Liberty League Conference Championship team.

Field hockey Head Coach Anne Fowler described Brigger as a fierce competitor who demands the best for herself in all areas of her life. “As one of only a handful of All-Americans in Vassar field hockey history—and a future doctor—Hailey is a great example of all you can achieve at Vassar,” Fowler said.

Brigger called the award “the culmination of my entire team’s skill and support, and I feel honored to have played with every one of them.”

Fauth, a mathematics major from Keene, NH, earned Third Team All-American honors last season and was named to the All-Liberty League First Team for the past two seasons. Head Soccer Coach Jonathan Hood said Fauth was eminently deserving of the award. “Owen had a tremendous career here at Vassar,” Hood said. “While he was one of the most decorated players in program history, his commitment, work ethic, and passion for the team was contagious and helped make those around him better.  As a two-year captain, the example he set will have a lasting impact on the men’s soccer program.”

Haley Schoenegge ’27 and Vaughn Ramsey ’24 won the Betty Richey Performer of the Year awards. Schoenegge won the NCAA Division III championship in the 1,500-meter run and finished fourth in the 5,000-meter run, earning All-American honors in each event. A resident of Prospect, KY, Schoenegge has not declared a major. She set school records in the mile run, the 1,500-meter run, the 3,000-meter run, and the 5,000-meter run and earned Second Team All-American honors in the mile run at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Ramsey, a mathematics major from Denver, CO, was a member of the NCAA Division III men’s volleyball team that finished second in the national championship tournament. He led the team in kills and earned Second Team All-United Volleyball Conference honors. He was also named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association North Region Team for the first time.

Other award winners were:

Rookie of the Year: Holland Kaplan ’27 (women’s volleyball) and Lucas Jauregui ’27 (men’s swimming and diving);

Frances D. Fergusson Coaches Award: Kate Nelkirk ’24 (field hockey) and Jon Bradbury ’24 (men’s lacrosse);

Scholar-Athlete Award: Grace Skakel ’24 (women’s rugby) and Benjamin Lee ’24 (men’s fencing);

Iron Brewer Award: Sierra McDermed ’26 (women’s basketball) and Solomon Hess ’24 (men’s lacrosse);

Student Worker of the Year Award: Eli Feay ’24, a member of the Facilities and Game Operations staff.