BOSTON – University of Maine seniors Erika Leonard of softball, Kendra Ridley of women's soccer and Sam Lenson of football have been named nominees for the 2018 America East Woman and Man of the Year awards, the conference office announced Thursday. The awards recognize the conference's senior male and female student-athletes who have distinguished himself and herself throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
 
Leonard and Ridley are among 13 America East female student-athletes that are up for the honor while Lenson is one of 11 male student-athletes nominated for the award.
 
On the diamond, Leonard was named to the 2018 and 2017 America East All-Conference second team in and America East All-Tournament team in 2016. As a freshman, she earned a spot on the league's All-Rookie squad in 2015. In the past three seasons, Leonard has helped advance the Black Bears to the America East Tournament. Twice the outfielder helped guide the Black Bears to the title game, including a league championship and regional appearance in 2016.
 
Leonard is a nursing major who boasts a 3.82 grade point average (GPA) and is a 2018 Dean's List Award winner, a seven-time Dean's List honoree and a two-time Presidential Scholar. A four-time America East Commissioner's Honor Roll selection, Leonard was a 2017 recipient of the America East Elite 17 award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA among students competing in the championship in their respective sport. Leonard, a three-time America East All-Academic team selection, is a member of the Omicron XI Honor Society and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society along with being a two-year member of the UMaine Athletic Department's Elite-13 group. Aside from academics and athletics, Leonard is a tutor for student-athletes in anatomy & physiology and has spent countless hours volunteering for organizations like St. Francis Hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, The Wadsworth Glen Healthcare Center, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House.
 
Ridley enjoyed a tremendous career on the pitch as a four-year midfielder and three-year captain on the women's soccer team. A two-time America East All-Conference second team selection, Ridley also earned a pair of selections to the America East All-Championship team and a spot on the league's All-Rookie squad. Ridley started 60 of her 61 games she appeared in and led the team in minutes played in both her junior and senior seasons.
 
Like Leonard, Ridley's achievements inside the classroom have been beyond impressive. The four-year letter winner is nursing major with a 3.994 GPA, earning 43 A's and one A- over her time at the University of Maine. A 2018 Dean's List Award winner, a seven-time Dean's List member and three-time Presidential Scholar, Ridley earned four selections to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll and a pair of America East All-Academic team marks. She is a two-time member of Team Maine, representing the highest GPA on her team. In 2017, Ridley was honored by the UMaine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture with its highest-ranking junior award, one of only four students to receive the accolade that year. She has volunteered for the Healthy High 5K and the "Be The Match" Bone Marrow Drive while also offering her free time at the Ronald McDonald House. The Greater Bangor Multiple Sclerosis Chapter honored Ridley with its Shining Stars award for her work with the "Walk for MS" initiative. This past winter, she attended the Joint Resolution at the Maine State House as part of an initiative to recognize Feb. 8 as National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
 
Lenson is a three-year letter winner on the football team, serving as a punter/kicker and holder for the Black Bears. He appeared in 11 games, tallying his first career field goal with a 28-yard make against Elon in 2015. Lenson also recorded four kickoffs in 2015, averaging 52.2 yards per with one touchback.
 
Away from the gridiron, Lenson is a three-time CAA All-Academic Team honoree, two-time Presidential Scholar, four-time Dean's List honoree, two-time Team Maine member, and has been a UMaine Scholar Athlete for the past five years. In addition to being a member of the Senior Skulls Honor Society, Lenson has been a member of Male Athletes Against Violence while also advocating social change by participating in the annual "A Walk in Her Shoes" on campus. Lenson has led campus tours for prospective students and their families and helped plan first-year orientation for incoming students. He has also spent time volunteering for the Jeff Cole Bone Marrow Drive, Strong Mind Stony Body Club, and the Stillwater Society. This past spring, he served as a track coach at Cohen Middle School and last summer he served as a Maine Youth Fish and Game Camp Counselor. He was awarded the January 2018 Dirigo Award by the UMaine Alumni Association.
 
The nominees for America East Man and Woman of the Year will be narrowed down to three finalists per gender. To be nominated, student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in their primary sport by the end of the 2018 spring season or received his or her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2018 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale).

For a full list of the 25 nominees, click HERE.

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