Holly Stewart is the America East Woman of the Year

University of Maine graduate and former field hockey star Holly Stewart was named the America East Woman of the Year at the annual conference meeting Tuesday, June 2, in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.

Stewart, from North Vancouver, British Columbia, is the first Black Bear to earn the honor, which is presented to the league’s senior female student-athlete who best distinguished herself during collegiate career with academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.

Stewart, selected from 11 nominees, graduated in December 2014 with a degree in kinesiology and physical education. Her grade-point average was 3.97.

The 2014 Academic All-American and America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete was a two-time America East first-team selection and an All-Region choice. She is competing with the Canadian Women’s National Team that is striving for a berth in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Stewart is eligible for NCAA Woman of the Year. The NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee selects the Top 30 – 10 from each division (I, II and III), then three finalists from each division. The Committee on Women’s Athletics selects the winner from the top nine.

The University of Maine is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015. In conjunction, the athletic department will celebrate 150 student-athletes achievements during the year.