Katie Riley ’14 finishes her career with 46 goals and 35 assists, placing her fifth and fourth all time in each category, respectively.  With 127 points, Riley ranks just behind Lindsay McNamara ’09. This season alone Riley tallied 59 points, making her the third highest single season scorer in Bowdoin history.

The capstone of Riley’s career was this year’s national championship. But the road to the championship was a bumpy one. Bowdoin had disappointing losses to Tufts and Middlebury. Neither Riley nor the team, however, lost hope after those losses. Their perseverance paid off just three days later with a win against Trinity, which included Riley making history with four goals, tying the record for most goals scored in a NESCAC tournament game. From there, the Polar Bears went on to beat Tufts the following week, with Riley contributing one of Bowdoin’s four goals.

“I thought it was really cool that we could bounce back as a team, [especially] with the close loss during the NESCAC game,” Riley said.

Bowdoin senior linebacker Joey Cleary capped off a fantastic career this fall, earning titles of NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year—the first Polar Bear to do so since the conference was formed in 2000—and First Team All-NESCAC. Cleary was also named to the 2013 New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England team.

Cleary led the league with 99 tackles, the highest number since 2009. He also amassed two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 8.5 tackles for losses.

After three years as a starter, Cleary was named a captain this year, a position of responsibility initially foreign to him.

Outside hitter Melissa Haskell ’13 supplied talent and drive in her best season yet, leading the volleyball team to the NCAA D-III Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history.

Last year’s male athlete of the season, junior cross-country phenom Coby Horowitz, is in the midst of another remarkable season, that has established him as one of the best runners in Bowdoin history.

Oliver Van Zant '13 is having one of the most dominating seasons ever for a Bowdoin pitcher. His statistics speak for themselves: 1.75 ERA, a 5-1 record and a .164 batting average against.

In the winter of 1999, a second grade girl was dribbling down the court at the local rec center. Her small hands had trouble handling the ball, but she made her way across halfcourt nonetheless. Fast forward 13 years. Jill Henrikson '12 was driving hard to the basket, her sneakers burning into the floor of Morrell Gymnasium. Just as the swarms of red-jersey defenders closed in around her, she put the ball up with the lightest touch.

In his second year at the College, Coby Horowitz '14 is leading the men's cross country team down a new path this season toward nationals. Last weekend he led the Polar Bears, now ranked No. 14 nationally, to a third-place finish at regionals, qualifying the team for the NCAA D-III championship tomorrow in Oshkosh, Wis.

The Orient chooses the male and female "Athlete of the Season" based on exemplary performance, leadership and commitment to their respective programs. The winners are selected by the editors of the Orient.

The Orient chooses the male and female "Athlete of the Season" based on exemplary performance, leadership and committment to their respective programs. The winners are selected by the editors of the Orient.

Because of the nature of their position, defenders rarely rack up gaudy statistics or stand out to the casual fan. But center back Sean Bishop ’12 of the men’s soccer team has demanded the attention of spectators and opponents alike.

In elementary school, Elsa Millett '12 prided herself on being able to outrun any of the boys in her class. Then, in fifth grade, the boys started to catch up to her.

In an interview almost two-and-a-half months ago with the Orient, senior Kyle Hebert of the Bowdoin men's track team said that his main goal for this year's season was to qualify for nationals.

In basketball, rebounding is not the flashiest statistic. Yet its importance, not unlike less visible aspects of the game such as determination, preparation and toughness, is undeniable.

Junior hockey player Kyle Shearer-Hardy's accolades speak for themselves: 2009-10 First Team All-American, NESCAC 2009-10 assists leader, 2008-9 All NESCAC Second Team, and 64 career points.

The Orient chooses the male and female "Athlete of the Season" based on his and her exemplary performance, leadership, and commitment to their respective programs. The winners are selected by the editors of the Orient.

The Orient is proud to unveil the inaugural "Orient Male Athlete of the Season" and "Orient Female Athlete of the Season" awards, new honors for a Bowdoin athlete each season. It is awarded to the two athletes for exemplary performance, leadership, and commitment to their respective programs. The recipients are chosen by the editors of the Orient.