Four Dukes Earn CAA Leadership and Sport Excellence Award

RICHMOND, Va. – Four James Madison student-athletes have been tabbed 2021 Colonial Athletic Association Leadership and Sport Excellence Award Recipients in Kayla Connelly, Sarah Stim, Kylie Moulin and Alexys Taylor.

The award mimics the Chuck Boone Leadership Award in football and the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award in men's and women's basketball. One student-athlete, who represents the highest standards of teamwork, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship in his or her academic and athletic achievements, was selected in each of the other 19 sports sponsored by the Conference. The CAA's Faculty Athletic Representatives selected the winners.

The four Dukes selected are tied for the most recipients by one school in the CAA as UNCW also saw four of its student-athletes earn recognition. In the four-year history of this award, JMU has produced a total of 13 honors from 11 student-athletes.

Connelly, member of the cross country team, has been spectacular in the classroom all four years at JMU. She has been listed on the Dean's List in multiple semesters while also securing a 4.0 semester GPA a couple times most recently being this spring. The senior is majoring in health sciences, boasting a cumulative GPA of 3.880 which has landed her on the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. She competed in all three cross country meets in the shortened season.

Stim, member of the swimming and diving team, was an All-CAA selection after claiming the bronze medal on the 3-meter board at the CAA Championships. The senior claimed one individual victory this season, and produced two NCAA Zone A qualifying scores. At the NCAA Championships, she placed 25^th on the 1-meter and 26^th on the 3-meter board. Stim earned a spot on the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll for the fall semester. The biology major graduated Summa Cum Laude after finishing with a 3.905 GPA.

Moulin, member of the women's tennis team, has excelled both on the court and in the classroom since she began her collegiate career. Majoring in kinesiology, Moulin holds a 4.0 cumulative GPA and was a 2021 Second Team All-CAA doubles athlete and Third Team All-CAA singles honoree. Since coming to JMU, she has produced one of the program's highest win percentages, going 30-8 in singles matches and a 31-8 doubles mark. This past season, she and teammate Jona Roka ranked as high as #76 nationally in doubles and the duo ranked 10th in the final Atlantic region rankings. She is a three-time ITA Division I Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Virginia Sports Information Directors Academic All-State squad.

Taylor, member of the track & field team, graduated with her degree in health sciences last spring but remained a part of the team as she is currently pursuing her master's degree in occupational therapy. Taylor, 2017 CAA Rookie of the Year and 2018 CAA 100m Champion, only competed in two regular-season meets and the CAA Championships. This term, the graduate student posted a 3.571 GPA for a cumulative GPA of 3.352.

JMU All-Time CAA Leadership and Sport Excellence Award Recipients
2018
Nora Raher, Cross Country
Nicolette Serratore, Track & Field

2019
Halle Duenkel, Lacrosse
Erica Jackson, Cross Country
Nicolette Serratore, Track & Field
Thomas Shores, Men's Soccer

2020
Alicia Cooperman, Field Hockey
Halle Duenkel, Lacrosse
Julianna Jones, Swim & Dive

2021
Kayla Connelly, Cross Country
Sarah Stim, Swim & Dive
Kylie Moulin, Tennis
Alexys Taylor, Track & Field

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