Skidmore winter athletes named best in league
Skidmore women’s basketball forward Julia Blanck ’24 is the Liberty League’s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, while men’s ice hockey goalie Tate Brandon ‘24 has been named New England Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Year. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams also set 19 program records.
Blanck is the first player in league history (men or women) to win both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. She was also voted to the All-Liberty League First Team for the second consecutive year. Guard Amelia Medolla ’25 earned All-Liberty League Honorable Mention honors.
Over 29 games, Blanck averaged a double-double on 13.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She led the Liberty League by a large margin with 2.2 blocks per game, while ranking second in rebounding, fifth with 1.8 steals per game, and seventh in scoring.
Selected to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week in mid-November, another first for Skidmore, the biology major from Hinesburg, Vermont, ranks nationally in blocks (27th), double-doubles (42nd), and rebounds (60th).
The team finished 22-5 overall and 16-2 in the Liberty League, making it to the championship game where Vassar emerged victorious 44-32. Blanck had nine points and 12 rebounds to lead Skidmore.
“My initial reaction to the awards was mixed, given that I found out right after learning our team would not get an at-large NCAA bid, but I am truly grateful,” said Blanck.
The most rewarding aspect of these awards, beyond personal achievement, is the reflection of the collective effort and support from my teammates and coaches. They are like family to me and sharing both the highs and lows with them has been profoundly meaningful.
What Coach Jessica Turner will miss most about Blanck, beyond wins and losses, is “seeing her every day at practice. She’s a great kid and an absolute pleasure to be around, super encouraging, and her teammates’ biggest fan. I would have personally loved to play with her in college. I think that says it all.”
Brandon named New England Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Year
On the men’s side of the equation, ice hockey goalie Tate Brandon ‘24 was named the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Goaltender of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the All-NEHC First Team, where he was joined by defenseman Danny Magnuson ’25. Forward Kaeden Patrick ’25 was named All-NEHC Second Team.
Brandon led the NEHC with 12 in-conference wins, ranking first in saves with 400 while collecting three shutouts during NEHC action. In 16 league games played, he posted a 12-3-1 record accompanied by a 1.70 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage. Nationally, he is fourth in shutouts (4), 10th in goals against average (GAA), 13th in save percentage, and 15th in winning percentage (.783).
A management and business major from Irvington, New York, Brandon is Skidmore's first major award winner since Colin Bessey ’12 was the ECAC East Goaltender of the Year in 2011, which was also the last time Skidmore placed two players on the first team.
The No. 9-ranked team in Division III finished the 2023-24 campaign 19-7-2 overall and 12-5-1 in conference, making it to the championship game where they lost to No. 1 Hobart 5-0. Brandon did all he could to keep Skidmore in the game with a career-high 51 saves, including 20 straight first-period saves.
“The most satisfying aspect of this recognition is how far this program has come. Goaltending statistics are so heavily influenced by the team in front of you, and I’ve had a great group of guys this year do some incredible things,” Brandon said.
My personal success this year stems from the success of the team, and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.
“Tate is the ultimate competitor,” adds Coach Rob Hutchison. “He just wants to win. He’s technically sound, but his anticipation and hockey IQ are what set him apart from his peers.”
Swimming and diving teams set 18 records at league championships
The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams also made a big splash. Over the course of four days, they collectively set 18 program records at the Liberty League championships held at the Ithaca College — 19 for the season.
The men’s team finished 7-1 overall and 5-1 in league, while the women’s team was 6-2 overall and 4-2 in league.
Swimmers with new program records who also finished Top 5 at the championships:
- Nicolas Sodi ’25: first in the 1,650 freestyle, second in the 500-freestyle, and third in the 200 freestyle.
- Ryan Delfico ’25: first in the 400 individual medley.
- Liam Keating ’25: fourth in the 200 breaststroke.
- Gretchen Gwitt ’26: fourth in the 100 butterfly.
- Sabrina Reed ’27: fifth in the 1,650 freestyle.
At the Liberty League Swimming and Diving Championships, Nicolas Sodi ’25 came in first in the 1,650 freestyle, second in the 500 freestyle, and third in the 200 freestyle. He also set two individual program records.
"I'm very proud of the combined accomplishments of this team,” said Coach Jill Greenleaf. “Our women's team moved up a spot in the conference while adding 100+ points to last year's team score. The number of records set in the program this season, and specifically this meet, is incredible.
“Each year, our athletes inspire each other to be better. I'm certain that our season-best and lifetime-best times and scores will be in line with our most successful seasons. They simply performed exceptionally throughout the meet."
