DURHAM, N.H. – Grad student Jasmine Lyons (Ottawa, Ontario) of the skiing team and senior Alex Gagne (Bedford, N.H.) of the men’s hockey team were named recipients of the 2025 Jim Urquhart Outstanding Student-Athlete Award at the University of New Hampshire athletic department’s seventh annual Senior Showcase, a Night at the WESPYs, on Tuesday night (May 6).
The event, hosted by UNH sportscaster Justin McIsaac, was held at the Granite State Room of the Memorial Union Building to celebrate UNH’s outstanding athletic achievements of the 2024-25 season and honor student-athletes of the senior class.
JIM URQUHART OUTSTANDING STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARD
This award, which has been the most prestigious student-athlete award at UNH since its inception in 1999, is given to both the most outstanding female and male senior student-athlete based on athletic success, community involvement and academic achievement through their Wildcat careers.
It is named in memory of longtime UNH coach Jim Urquhart, who coached the New Hampshire men’s lacrosse team for 17 years and wrestling team for 11 seasons before taking the position of Associate Director of Event Management in 1997.
Jasmine Lyons, who was also a finalist for the Director of Athletics Leadership Award, was a phenomenal athlete, student and leader her entire time as a UNH Wildcat. She was a four-time All-American and that included a second place finish in the 5k freestyle at the 2023 NCAA Championships.
Lyons, the 2021 EISA Rookie of the Year, earned All-East First Team three times and All-East Second Team once. She was also named the UNH women’s Nordic MVP twice.
The two-time captain recorded a total of 16 podium finishes in the EISA carnival season with a breakdown of five first place finishes, six second place and five third place. She also had a pair of podium finishes at the NCAA Championships.
Lyons was honored as UNH’s Performer of the Year at the WESPYs in back-to-back years (2022 and 2023).
Lyons made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2021 by winning the 7k freestyle race in her collegiate debut at the EISA Nordic Carnival at Jackson XC. One week later, Lyons won both the 15k free and 5k classic. She finished in the top three in all seven EISA races that season to finish the season ranked No. 1 overall in the East with a breakdown of No. 1 in the freestyle and No. 2 in the classical.
Lyons capped a highly successful 2022 sophomore campaign with an All-America First Team effort (third place) in the 15k free and All-America Second Team (eighth place) in the 5k classic at the NCAA Championships. She entered the NCAAs ranked No. 4 in the East – second in the free and eighth in classical – following five top-10 finishes, including a win in the 10k classic at the Dartmouth Carnival, in the EISA season.
As a junior in 2023, Lyons duplicated her All-America honors with First Team (second place) in the 5k free and Second Team (sixth place) in the 20k classic. She posted four top-10 finishes, including a win in the 7.5k free, in five races.
Lyons has represented Team Canada as a Junior World and U23 World athlete, and that limited her to competition in three EISA carnivals during the 2024 season.
As a grad student this season, Lyons capped the EISA season with second place in 20k free and ninth place in the 7.5k classic at the EISA Championships and she went on to compete at the NCAA Championships for the fourth time.
Lyons has a 3.79 GPA in pursuit of a degree in biomedical sciences. Lyons was named to the National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team every year and also garnered College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team recognition twice.
Her community service included cleaning the grounds at Dover elementary schools.
Lyons is the third women’s skier to win this exalted award.
Alex Gagne, who was also a finalist for the Cathy Coakley Student-Athlete Community Involvement Award, exemplifies what it means to be a true student-athlete, a leader, and a role model both on and off the ice by virtue of exceptional leadership, athletic achievements, dedication to community service, and academic success.
Gagne is the sixth two-time captain in program history, was a nominee for the Hockey Humanitarian Award and was a two-time Hockey East Third Team All-Star (2024 and 2025).
This past season, Gagne led the team in blocks for the third consecutive year and he ranked fourth in Hockey East. He led UNH defensemen in goals (four), assists (13) and points (17) by recording personal single-season highs in both goals and points. In other metrics, Gagne ranked first in the nation in defensive-zone puck battle wins, second in D-zone stick checks, third in D-zone denials, and seventh in D-zone blocked passes.
Gagne also led the Wildcats in blocks as a junior, when he was named a New England All-Star, runner-up for the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman, and received the team’s Roger A. LeClerc MVP Award, Rod Langway Best Defenseman Award and Whoop Snively Citizenship Award. As a sophomore, Gagne earned the Whoop Snively Citizenship Award and Nate Hardy Iron Man Award.
Gagne’s impact extended beyond his athletic prowess – his ability to build meaningful relationships with teammates, coaches, and staff are hallmarks of his leadership. He is regarded as a leader who not only performs at the highest level but also brings out the best in others.
Gagne’s leadership reached far beyond the rink, as he is a steadfast advocate for community service and philanthropy. His contributions to both the UNH campus and the surrounding Durham community are a testament to his character and selflessness. His leadership has been so impactful that the UNH Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) created the new position of Community Liaison for him. In this role, Gagne spearheaded numerous community outreach initiatives and demonstrated a profound commitment to public service.
His dedication to community causes is evident in the various charitable endeavors he has led. In November 2024, Gagne organized a Movember campaign that raised $10,880 for prostate cancer research at Mass General Brigham. Under his leadership, the entire team participated in the campaign, which culminated in a public head-shaving event at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex. This was the first time in recent history that the men’s hockey team raised money for charity.
Gagne has a 3.57 GPA while pursuing a degree in sport management and leadership, and he has been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team every year. His other academic awards include College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
Gagne is the eighth men’s hockey player to win this prestigious honor and the first in 15 years.
CATHY COAKLEY STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes a senior student-athlete who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the University, UNH athletic department and the larger community with involvement in campus organizations, volunteer work, University or other athletic department committees, and other service-oriented activities.
It is named in memory of Cathy Coakley, a former student-athlete (Class of ’72) and coach at UNH who served as coordinator of student-athlete development. She was a lifelong battler for and supporter of Wildcat student-athletes.
The 2025 recipient is
Sally Rainey (West Lebanon, N.H.) of the UNH women’s soccer team. Rainey made a big, positive impact beyond the women’s soccer program and UNH athletics to the local community during her time in Durham.
As the president of SAAC, she led many important initiatives that included Bench Out The Stigma, Hoops4Hunger and Food Frenzy. She also attended Stratham Elementary School Reading Days and Soccer Days.
TINA TRUE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING AWARD
The Tina True Award started in 2007 and is presented to a pair of Wildcat seniors for commitment to strength and conditioning. The award is named in memory of Tina True, who was a co-captain and coxswain of the women’s crew team from 2000-02; her commitment to training and her passion for her sport greatly contributed to the success of the team; in January 2002 (her junior year), Tina’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident.
The 2025 recipients are Kelly Kaufmann (Raleigh, N.C.) of the volleyball team and football’s Neil Politano (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Kaufmann, who was also a finalist for the Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year Award, showed tremendous dedication to the weight room that was evident by continuing to work out four days a week despite her Wildcat career coming to an end last fall. She is respectful, compassionate and the true definition of a leader.
Kaufmann, the squat record holder of 330 pounds, demonstrated leadership with her energy at a six a.m. lift sessions and texts during summer workouts.
Politano, who also received the Granite Strong Award, bought into the program from the day he committed to be a UNH Wildcat. He followed workout plans to a T throughout his career. His work ethic and leadership in the weight room and overall dedication to strength and conditioning is truly inspiring.
WILDCAT AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The Wildcat Award for Academic Excellence was first presented in 2010 and is given to the female and male senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average.
The 2025 recipients are
Megumi Komoto (Schaumburg, Ill.) of the swimming and diving team,
Ana O’Neil (St. Paul, Minn.) of both the swimming and diving and outdoor track & field teams, and
Erik Lauta (Aptos, Calif.) of the men’s soccer team.
Komoto won the America East women’s swimming and diving Elite 18 Award in 2024 and was outstanding in the classroom with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
O’Neil won the America East women’s swimming and diving Elite 18 Award in 2025 with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Lauta earned 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors and also has a perfect 4.0 GPA.
GRANITE STRONG AWARD
The Granite Strong Award, which started in 2019 as the Coaches Award, is presented to a senior student-athlete who has either overcome adversity, or is an unsung hero, or is a team leader, or has gone above and beyond.
The 2025 recipients are
Megan Logue (Oak Hills, Calif.) of women’s soccer and football’s Politano.
Logue, through experience in her life, has become a mental health advocate with a message that you are not alone, it’s okay to reach out and seek help, you matter, and you are loved. In May 2024, she ran a marathon to raise awareness about mental health.
UNH women’s soccer head coach
Steve Welham describes her as an unsung hero, absolute warrior and a truly fierce competitor.
Politano defined what it means to be a UNH football player. He set the tone every day with his work ethic and demeanor. He played through numerous injuries – including a broken finger and broken hand – to suit up every day at practice and every game. And he is a soft-spoken person who led by example and commanded everyone’s attention when he did speak up.
UNH football head coach
Rick Santos describes Politano as tough and physical, and a player with great intensity.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Director of Athletics Leadership Award was introduced in 2024 and will be given annually to men’s and women’s senior or graduate student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving others.
The 2025 recipients are
Hannah Serbousek (Fort Collins, Colo.) of volleyball and
Kevin Finn (Kennebunk, Maine) of the men’s cross country and track & field teams.
Serbousek was a three-time captain of the volleyball team who consistently embodied the true spirit of being a UNH Wildcat. She led by example with a team-first mentality characterized by empathy, understanding, kindness and accountability. Serbousek’s dedication to teammates was unwavering and evident through her advocacy for them behind closed doors.
Serbousek is the epitome of servant leadership – putting other’s needs ahead of her own. And by integrating three freshman classes into the team, she was the cornerstone of the outstanding volleyball team culture that helped the Wildcats win an America East conference tournament championship this past fall.
Finn, captain of both cross country and track & field, demonstrated outstanding leadership both on and off the track. He is a great asset because he is one of the top student-athletes and also demonstrates outstanding leadership through words and action. Track and field is often seen as an individual sport, but the relays do require four athletes to work together cohesively to get the baton around the track as fast as possible. Season after season, Finn was instrumental to rallying his relay teams to warm up, practice and execute the proper. As a result, he has been on multiple championship winning relay teams.
Finn can lead a practice with younger members on the team. If there is a part of practice that is new to any first year team member, he effectively teaches that skill or activity to them. This show of leadership is why the younger athletes on the team look up to him.
His leadership also extended beyond the team into the community. UNH’s track and field program holds a kids track and field clinic every Monday night throughout the school year and Finn was one of the class instructors the past four semesters.
PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
The Performer of the Year, first presented in 2020, is given to both the most outstanding female and male student-athlete – regardless of class standing – for athletic achievement.
The 2025 recipients are junior Tasmin Cookman (London, England) of field hockey and senior Josiah Silver (Hampton, Va.) of football.
Cookman was named to the 2024 NFHCA All-America Third Team to mark the third consecutive year she garnered All-America honors. The captain was also voted both the America East Offensive Player of the Year and to the All-ECAC First Team for the second consecutive Year. Cookman was named to both the NFHCA All-Northeast Region First Team honoree and America East All-Conference First Team for the third time in as many years.
Cookman, who started all 20 games, ranked No. 21 in the nation in goals per game (0.65) and 25th in points per game (1.60). Those numbers were fourth in America East in both goals per game and points per game. She ranked second on the team in goals (13), assists (six) and points (32).
In conference-only games, Cookman finished atop the America East leaderboard in both goals per game (1.00) and points per game (2.17).
Cookman scored a goal in 10 of 20 games with a point in 13 games. She scored two goals in a game three times, including against conference foes Bryant and Vermont. Cookman had a season-high five-game goal streak spanning Sept. 27 to Oct. 11 with seven goals in that span.
This is the third career WESPY for Cookman, a forward who is a repeat Performer of the Year honoree and Rookie of the Year recipient in 2023.
Silver received five All-America Team accolades in 2024 and nine career. He was named to the Walter Camp All-America Team and was a First Team selection by the AFCA, Associated Press and Stats Perform. The defensive end was also named Defensive Player of the Year by both CAA Football and the ECAC, as well as All-CAA First Team and All-ECAC Team.
On the national level, Silver was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player in FCS) and semifinalist for the Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end across all college divisions).
Silver ended the regular season ranked No. 3 in the nation in sacks per game (0.96) and 11th in tackles for loss (1.50); both those numbers ranked second in the CAA.
He was UNH’s leader in both sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (17.5), as well as quarterback hurries (four), and he ranked third in both solo tackles (32) and total tackles (58). Silver also had a forced fumble to his credit.
The captain was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 14 in recognition of tying his career highs in both sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (5.0) in UNH’s 17-10 win at Elon.
For the season, he recorded a tackle for loss in 8 of 12 games and a sack in 6 of 12.
Silver won the WESPY Rookie of the Year award in ’22.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The Rookie of the Year, first presented in 2019, is given to both the most outstanding female and male rookie for athletic achievement.
The 2025 recipients are swimmer
Lydia Hart (Cornwall, Ontario) and alpine skier
Jayden Buckrell (Collingwood, Ontario).
Hart had a stellar rookie year as she was named both the Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet and Rookie of the Meet at the 2025 America East Championships, where she won three individual gold medals and two relay golds. She was the first woman to sweep those awards since 2014.
Hart displayed her dominance in the freestyle by winning the 200 free, 500 free and 1,650 free races at the conference meet. She was also part of both the 400 and 800 free relay winning teams to help the Wildcats win their fifth conference title in six years.
On Day 2 of the championships, Hart shattered the school, conference and pool records in the 500 free with a time of 4 minutes, 42.12 seconds. One day earlier, her opening leg of the 1:46.74 in the 800 free relay set records for UNH, America East and VMI’s venue in the 200 free. On the last day, Hart touched the wall in the 1,650 in 16:14.71 to break the UNH and conference records.
Hart went on to compete at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships and won the 500 free title by edging out swimmers from The Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky.
In the regular season, Hart swept the weekly Swimmer and Rookie awards on Nov. 26 and went on to win two more Rookie of the Week awards (Dec. 9 and Jan. 14).
Buckrell is the 2025 NCAA national champion in the men’s slalom and became the first UNH skier to win a national title in 52 years.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR
The Highlight of the Year, which started in 2020, is determined by fan voting on social media platforms. This year’s winner is when freshman alpine skier
Jayden Buckrell, who completed Run 2 of the slalom in 45.64 seconds for an aggregate time of 1:27.17 to win the NCAA title.
EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Event of the Year, first presented in 2021, is also determined by fan voting on social media platforms. This year’s winner is the volleyball team defeating UAlbany, 3-1, in the America East championship game to win the eighth conference tourney title – and advance to the NCAA tourney for the eighth time – in program history. After dropping the first set, the Wildcats won the next two sets by an identical 25-22 score. In Set 4, the ‘Cats rallied from a 16-8 deficit to win the set, match and championship, 25-23.
RECAP
