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Seth Varin '26 of the 91���� men's cross country team and Reilly Laitala '26 of the women's swimming & diving team have been selected as 91����'s nominees for the 2026 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year awards.

Varin will represent 91���� as its nominee for GNAC Athlete of the Year for Men's Sports, while Laitala has been chosen as the University's nominee for GNAC Athlete of the Year for Women's Sports.

The GNAC Athlete of the Year awards recognize graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers through academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership, and service. Winners of this year's awards will be announced by the conference on Tuesday, July 28, at noon.

Varin's nomination follows one of the most remarkable developmental arcs in recent 91���� men's cross country history. After arriving at 91���� having never previously competed in cross country, Varin steadily progressed into one of the top runners in the conference, closing his career as the 2025 GNAC Individual Champion and GNAC Runner of the Year.

A native of Danielson, Connecticut, Varin won the 2025 GNAC Championship on 91����'s home course, crossing the finish line in 26:44.9 to become the league's individual champion. The victory capped a senior season that also included four GNAC Runner of the Week selections, a second straight GNAC First Team All-Conference honor, GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team recognition, and a top-75 finish at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships.

His championship-winning performance also continued a strong stretch for 91���� men's cross country. Varin helped the Cadets capture the 2024 GNAC Championship as a team, placing sixth overall and finishing as 91����'s second-fastest runner at the conference meet. 91���� also finished as the GNAC runner-up in both 2023 and 2025, with the 2025 team ending just two points shy of the conference title.

Varin was twice named 91���� Men's Cross Country Team Performer of the Year and received the D3 Runner Coaches' Award in 2023. His progression from first-time collegiate cross country runner to conference champion became one of the defining stories of the program's recent success.

In the classroom, Varin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a and a minor in Health, finishing with a 3.67 cumulative grade-point average. He earned multiple Dean's List and President's List honors, was a three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference selection, and received both the Morin Smith Education Award and the SHAPE Vermont Outstanding Future Professional Award.

He also received the Vermont Teacher Incentive Scholarship from 2024 to 2026 and accepted a position as a K-8 physical education teacher in Vermont immediately after graduation.

Varin's leadership and service centered heavily on education, youth development, physical activity, and inclusion. He served as president of the from 2023 to 2026, helping organize campus events, professional development opportunities, and programming for future educators. He also served on the SHAPE Vermont Student Board, presented at the SHAPE Vermont Annual Conference, and represented men's cross country on the 91���� Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Beyond campus, Varin volunteered with Special Olympics Vermont basketball and soccer events, served as a youth soccer referee, worked as a substitute teacher in Killingly Public Schools, and spent summers as a sports director and sports specialist at Camp Wallaby, where he planned and led physical education and recreational programming for students in grades 1-8.

As part of the GNAC Athlete of the Year nomination process, nominees were asked to submit personal statements reflecting on how their collegiate experiences shaped them through academics, athletics, leadership, service, and personal growth. Varin's statement is included below.

“I came to 91���� having never run cross country before. Four years later, I crossed the finish line as the 2025 GNAC Individual Champion and Runner of the Year. That journey taught me far more than how to race; it taught me resilience, leadership, and the responsibility to help others realize their own potential.

Growing up, I had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and struggled academically. Learning often required persistence beyond what came naturally to many of my peers, and college once felt like an intimidating goal. Those challenges shaped my character, teaching me perseverance, resilience, and the importance of believing in someone's potential before they believe in themselves. They inspired me to pursue physical education, where I hope to be the role model I once needed for students who question their own abilities.

At 91����, I challenged myself to pursue excellence in every aspect of student life. Balancing academics, athletics, campus leadership, and work required discipline and consistency. Graduating Magna Cum Laude, earning multiple Dean's List and President's List honors, receiving the Morin Smith Education Award, the SHAPE Vermont Outstanding Future Professional Award, and the Vermont Teacher Incentive Scholarship represent more than academic achievements; they represent overcoming obstacles that once made those accomplishments seem unattainable.

As a member of the 91���� men's cross country team, I learned that success is never achieved alone. Winning the 2025 GNAC Individual Championship and GNAC Runner of the Year were the result of countless early mornings, difficult workouts, and teammates and coaches who challenged me to become my best. Cross country taught me discipline, humility, accountability, time management, and servant leadership, qualities I will carry into my classroom and every community I serve.

Leadership and service became the foundation of my college experience. As president of the 91���� Physical Education Club, I organized professional development opportunities and helped prepare future educators for their careers. Through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the SHAPE Vermont Student Board, presenting at the SHAPE Vermont Conference, and volunteering with Special Olympics Vermont, I learned that leadership is not measured by titles but by the opportunities we create for others to grow, succeed, and feel included.

Immediately after graduation, I accepted a position as a K-8 physical education teacher in Vermont. My goal is to create a classroom where every student feels valued, capable, and excited to be active. I want every child, especially those facing academic or personal challenges, to know their future is not defined by the obstacles they encounter today. If a student who entered college having never run cross country and who grew up with an IEP can graduate Magna Cum Laude, become GNAC Runner of the Year, and dedicate his career to inspiring the next generation, then I hope my students will believe they can accomplish goals they once thought impossible. That is the legacy I hope to leave: not through the races I won or the awards I received, but through the confidence, resilience, and belief I help instill in others.”

Laitala, meanwhile, leaves 91���� as one of the most accomplished divers in program and conference history after a four-year career that helped elevate 91���� women's swimming & diving into one of the GNAC's premier programs.

A native of Sterling, Mass., Laitala became a three-time GNAC Women's Diver of the Year, earning the honor in 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26. She was an eight-time GNAC All-Conference selection and a seven-time individual diving GNAC Champion, winning at least one conference diving title in each of her four seasons.

Her success helped anchor 91����'s run of four consecutive GNAC Women's Swimming & Diving Championships from 2022-23 through 2025-26. During that stretch, the Cadets returned to the top of the conference after not having won the GNAC title since 2003 and then built one of the most dominant championship runs in program history.

Laitala also became the first NCAA Diving Regional qualifier in 91���� women's swimming & diving history during the 2023-24 season. She qualified for and competed at the ECAC Championships in 2022-23 and 2024-25, and she holds two GNAC diving records, including the 3-meter 11-dive mark with 386.05 points and the 1-meter 6 optional mark with 238.65 points. Her 1-meter 6 optional score also stands as a 91���� program record.

A two-year team captain, Laitala was named the 91���� Women's Swim & Dive Team Athlete of the Year in 2023-24 and was a 17-time GNAC Diver of the Week selection across her final three seasons. She also received the Garrity Award in 2026, presented annually to the senior military student-athlete who has distinguished herself athletically and academically while displaying leadership in the .

Academically, Laitala graduated with a and a minor in , finishing with a 3.57 cumulative GPA. She was a Dean's List student throughout her 91���� career and a three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference honoree.

Her academic and professional development included 168 clinical hours during her senior practicum at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and 136 hours through the Army Nurse Summer Training Program at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Cavazos, Texas. She also participated in a nursing service trip to Costa Rica, where she assisted refugee families by helping provide medical care, health education, and essential supplies.

Laitala's leadership extended well beyond the pool. A member of the 91���� Corps of Cadets and , she served as a Cadet Captain in 2025-26, commanding a company of more than 100 personnel and helping oversee daily training, discipline, development, and integration of first-year cadets into the Corps. She also served as Battalion S2 in Army ROTC, a Cadet Staff Sergeant, and a Cadet Athletic Liaison, helping strengthen communication between Corps leadership and varsity athletics.

Her service background also includes work as a medical assistant at Heywood Healthcare, volunteer experience with Maroon & Gold Key Club, organizing an American Red Cross blood drive, and years of service with Wachusett Mountain Ski Patrol as a National Ski Patrol member and Senior Level Outdoor Emergency Care Technician.

Laitala's personal statement, also submitted as part of the GNAC Athlete of the Year nomination process, is included below.

“My time at 91���� shaped far more than my academic path. I came to 91���� looking for challenge, structure, and purpose, and I found all three through the Corps of Cadets, Army ROTC, nursing program, and collegiate athletics. What began as a search for direction became a steady process of growth, with each experience pushing me to become more grounded and service-oriented.

I quickly learned that success is not built on comfort, but on consistency. Balancing nursing coursework, ROTC responsibilities, and athletics meant long days and constant demands. There were moments of doubt, but also steady growth that came from showing up every day regardless of circumstance. Over time, I learned that progress is rarely sudden. It is built through repetition, accountability, and trust in the process. I also learned that leadership is rooted in authenticity: being dependable, honest, and willing to grow while holding myself accountable.

Athletics played a defining role in that growth. As a diver and two-year captain of the 91���� Women's Swim & Dive Team, I entered college quiet and unsure of my place as a leader. I often hesitated to speak up or take up space. Over time, my teammates and the demands of competition pushed me to change. I learned to lead through action, encourage others when they struggled, and trust my preparation. Being a captain taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about showing up consistently and being present for those around you. I am proud of what I accomplished on the boards, but even more proud of how athletics helped me grow into someone who can support others with kindness and intention.

My leadership also developed through the Corps of Cadets, where I served as a Cadet Captain in 2025-26. In this role, I led a company of more than 100 cadets and was responsible for daily training, enforcing standards, and supporting new cadets as they transitioned into the Corps. This experience reinforced that leadership is deeply personal. It requires understanding people, setting the tone through example, and remaining steady in difficult moments.

My commitment to service and healthcare leadership was further strengthened through the Army Nurse Summer Training Program at Fort Cavazos. Over 136 hours in a military hospital, I worked alongside Army Nurse Corps officers assisting with patient care, clinical assessments, and interdisciplinary teamwork. This experience clarified my understanding of nursing and showed me what it means to lead in high-pressure, patient-centered environments.

Looking back, 91���� and athletics taught me that growth does not happen alone. I have learned to ask for help when I need it, make mistakes and learn from them, and keep moving forward when things are uncomfortable. As I move forward, I want to carry those lessons into every space I enter and become a leader who shows up for my patients as a nurse and for those who rely on me as a military officer.”

Varin and Laitala continue 91����'s recent tradition of strong representation for the GNAC's highest graduating student-athlete honors. Benjamin Stark '24 became 91����'s first GNAC Athlete of the Year for Men's Sports recipient in 2024, while Will Thompson '25 earned the same honor in 2025, making 91���� the first institution in conference history to produce back-to-back male recipients. Emily Oliver '19 remains 91����'s lone GNAC Woman of the Year honoree, earning the award in 2019 after a standout three-sport career in women's volleyball, women's basketball, and softball.

Both student-athletes are two of several standout nominees for this year's GNAC Athlete of the Year honors.  In addition to Varin, the full list of male finalists include: Ta'Zhon Daniels of Albertus Magnus College men's basketball; Jacobo Molina Ferrer of Elms College men's soccer; Jasper Schultz of Lasell University men's volleyball; John Nangle of Regis College men's volleyball; Jacob Pelletier of Saint Joseph's College of Maine men's cross country and men's track & field; and JJ Fox of University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) baseball.

The women's list, meanwhile, features nine additional distinguished nominees, alongside Laitala, including: Amy Stevens of Albertus Magnus College women's soccer; Sydnee Ramos of Dean College field hockey and softball; Jackie Cronin of Elms College women's lacrosse; Annebel Balogh de Galantha of Emmanuel College women's soccer; Madeline Caro of Lasell University women's volleyball; Jonnie Charest of Regis College women's cross country and women's track & field; Piper Kinney of Simmons University softball; and Alana Picard of University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) women's soccer and women's lacrosse.

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and more than 4,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC sponsors and administers championships while emphasizing academic integrity, athletic opportunity, and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.