Maritime College’s Adelle Leger has been chosen as the 2023-24 State University of New York (SUNY) Scholar Athlete of the Year for women’s cross country!

Open only to student-athletes at institutions in the SUNY system, the SUNY Scholar Athlete Award recognizes those who combine academic achievement with athletic success.  Leger earned First Team All-Skyline honors in 2023 after leading the Privateers to their first-ever Skyline Conference title.

A Facilities Engineering major, Leger was Maritime’s top finisher in every race this season, including a third-place effort at the Skyline Championships.  The Privateers ended up putting four runners in the top 12 on that historic day to win the team title by more than 30 points. It wasn’t just the first conference championship in program history, it was Maritime’s first-ever in any women’s sport.

During the regular season, Leger was named Skyline Runner of the Week on Oct. 3 after placing fourth individually at the Penn State Abington Invitational.  In addition, she was selected to the Skyline All-Sportsmanship Team for the second consecutive time.

“I’m truly blessed to receive this award and be able to represent Maritime College,” Leger said.  “The women’s cross country team has been an outlet where I’ve built friendships and memories with my teammates and coaches.  Between rigorous classes, a good run and some laughs are what make the sport such a great gift.  Thank you to everyone involved in my journey thus far.”

“Adelle exemplifies what it means to be a scholar-athlete through her dedication and leadership in academics, athletics and the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program,” Head Coach Ridge Robinson added.  “Her involvement and influence on campus have set a positive example for our students and raised the standard for athletic/academic excellence here at Maritime.  We wish her the best as she pursues her goal of becoming a pilot at the Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) in Pensacola, FL, upon her graduation this Spring.”

To be nominated, student-athletes must possess a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or higher.  A winner is chosen in each sport at the Division I, Division III and junior college levels following the competitive season.  There are 20 schools eligible for the Division III award.  Two overall SUNYAC Scholar Athletes of the Year (one male, one female) at each level are then selected among those sport-specific honorees at the conclusion of the academic year.