MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Recent MIT graduates Lucky Deignan, Annika Naveen, and Kate Sanderson have been named finalists for the annual NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year Award. The award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership and service.

Deignan paired a 3.8 GPA in Computation and Cognition with outstanding leadership on MIT's football team. A team captain, Deignan helped establish a culture of accountability that contributed to the program's first winning season of a collegiate career. Research in healthcare technology, development of open-source software, and mentorship of teammates reflected a commitment to using innovation and leadership to positively impact others.

Naveen maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in Biological Engineering with minors in Computer Science and Finance. A three-time NCAA relay national champion and member of MIT's 2025 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving National Championship team, Naveen combined academic excellence with undergraduate research and community outreach. Resilience, mentorship, and a passion for advancing STEM opportunities highlighted an exceptional collegiate career.

Sanderson excelled academically earning a 3.9 GPA in Biological Engineering with a minor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and a concentration in Theatre Arts. A leader on MIT's NCAA triple crown winning cross country and track & field teams, Sanderson paired research excellence with a passion for mentoring first-year students and expanding academic resources across campus. Leadership rooted in collaboration and service demonstrated a commitment to improving the student experience for future generations.

An Awards Committee comprised of Athletic Communicators from across the conference reviews the nominees annually and selects the NEWMAC's honorees. The conference office will announce the 2025-2026 NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year recipient(s) on Thursday, July 30. The recipient(s) of the 2025-2026 award will become the NEWMAC's nominee(s) for the Division III Commissioners Association Student-Athlete of the Year award.

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