WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, May 14, the Catholic University Athletic Department will hold its annual senior celebration in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.

During the live event, the department will reveal the winners of its seven major awards. Over the coming days, the nominees for these will be announced, beginning today with the Jone Dowd Role Model Award. This award is presented to the female student-athlete who exudes graciousness in victory, humility in defeat, and rallies his peers to consistently compete at a high level in athletics and beyond.

Student-athletes are nominated for these awards by their head coach, and all nominees are voted upon by members of the department to decide a winner. The winners will be announced live on May 15.

There are seven nominees for this year's Jone Dowd Role Model Awards. They are Aubrynn Arcement, Erin Driscoll, Amelia Kennedy, Ava Rieger, Maddie Rinker, Mary Rojack and Ellie Tynan.

AUBRYNN ARCEMENT

A four-year member of the Catholic softball program, Arcement hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. The pitcher and infielder has played in 102 games in her career and appeared in the circle for the Cardinals 63 times, making 55 starts. She holds a 1.92 ERA with over 350 innings pitched and 162 strikeouts during her time in the circle and also has 68 hits, 26 that have gone for extra-bases with a .312 career batting average. Arcement was a First Team All-Landmark Conference selection in 2024 where she pitched to a 2.08 ERA, the eighth lowest in a single season in program history. 

"Aubrynn Arcement embodies the spirit of the Jone Dowd Award through her graciousness in victory," said head coach Sophie Maccarone. "Despite holding program records and earning All-Conference honors, she continues to mentor younger students and teammates, showing humility and leadership. Her improvement from freshman to senior year demonstrates resilience and determination, learning from each experience to become a better athlete and person."

Away from the field, Arcement holds a 3.12 GPA and is earning her degree in architecture. She has been on the Landmark Spring Academic Honor Roll twice and has also volunteered for MLK Day of Service and Mother Teresa Day of service as well as been an orientation advisor during her time at Catholic.

"Her career statistics, including program records and consistent improvement year-over-year, combined with her dedication to academic excellence and campus leadership, make Aubrynn Arcement an exemplary nominee for the Jone Dowd Award," said Maccarone. 

ERIN DRISCOLL

A native of Manasquan, New Jersey, Driscoll is a four-year member of the Catholic women's track and field program. Driscoll served as a team captain for three seasons and was selected to the Landmark Conference All-Sportsmanship Team in the winter of 2026. She is a top 10 performer in school history in the long jump in both indoor and outdoor track and field. Her jump of 4.87m is the seventh-best in indoor while her 5.01m mark in outdoor is the fifth-best in program history. 

"Erin embodies graciousness in victory, always quick to credit her teammates and competitors while representing our program with class," said head coach Steve Rahn. "In moments of defeat, she demonstrates true humility—reflecting, learning, and returning with renewed determination. Her approach sets a powerful example for those around her."

Driscoll is earning her degree in Elementary Education and boasts a 3.52 GPA. In addition to the MLK and Mother Teresa Days of Service she has also participated in the Campus Ministry Spring Break Service Trip, Cardinal Cupboard, SAAC and has served as an orientation advisor. 

"What separates Erin is her ability to elevate others," said Rahn. She leads not just through performance, but through encouragement, accountability, and positivity. Whether in practice, competition, or in the classroom, she rallies her peers to pursue excellence and take pride in their efforts. Her influence extends beyond athletics, as she is equally committed to her academic responsibilities and personal growth."

AMELIA KENNEDY
A four-year member of the Catholic women's basketball program, Kennedy's hometown is Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. She was a part of two teams that played in the Landmark Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament twice. Kennedy played in 87 games over her career, making 32 starts and she tallied 531 points, 309 rebounds, 125 assists and 117 steals during her time as a player. She was an All-Landmark Honorable Mention honoree for her senior season and was selected to the 2024 and 2025 Jamie Lynn Roberts Fairfield Inn DC Holiday Classic All-Tournament teams.

"Amelia Kennedy stands as the definitive blueprint for servant leadership and she is without equivocation, a leader whose impact is measured not just in box scores, but in the culture of excellence she fosters," said head coach Matt Donohue. "She is the epitome of an individual who exudes graciousness in victory and profound humility in defeat,  understanding that a scoreboard never dictates one's character."

Off the court, Kennedy is earning her degree in Business Sales and Marketing and has a 3.4 GPA. She has volunteered with several organizations during her time at Catholic including Ronald McDonald House, Washington DC Food Bank, Special Olympics, CUA WBB Ulman Cancer Fund as well as a camp counselor at the Cardinal Youth Basketball Academy. 

"Whether she is diving for a loose ball to ignite a defensive run or spending  extra hours working toward individual and team improvement, her work ethic creates a gravitational pull  that demands a higher standard from everyone around her," said Donohue.  "In every arena, Amelia Kennedy remains poised and steadfast, serving as a reminder that the true measure  of an athlete is found in how they elevate others when the lights are brightest and how they hold their head high when the outcome is uncertain."

AVA RIEGER
A four-year member of the Catholic women's soccer program, Rieger hails from Medford, New Jersey. She has appeared in 65 games during her four-year career as a Cardinal, starting in all 65. She has solidified the top spot in the record books, with 32 career shutouts, a save percentage of .822, and goals against average of 0.80. Rieger has recorded 28 wins during her tenure, the third-most in program history and has logged 236 saves. She has been named Landmark Conference Defensive Athlete of the Week three times during her career, and has received three All-Landmark nods.

"She was everyone's biggest fan and would sprint the length of the field to hug everyone who scored!" said Coach Sommers, "She led the team huddle & cheer at every practice and game and knew how to bring everyone together. She understands when her peers need encouraging words or a shoulder to lean on."

Off the field, Rieger holds a 3.69 GPA and is earning her degree in business with a concentration in finance and political economics. She is a three-time CSC Academic All-District selection and has been on the Dean's List every year at Catholic. She has volunteered for the Mother Teresa and MLK Jr. Days of Service and is a mentor with the Busch School of Business.

"She led by example and did it with passion and joy every day. Opponents constantly ask me when she is going to graduate which I believe is the highest of compliments," said Sommers. "She was grateful for her opportunity to be a Cardinal and was intentional about appreciating each day as a member of our program."

MADDIE RINKER

Rinker hails from Reisterstown, Maryland, and is a four-year member of the Catholic women's lacrosse program. Rinker has played in 46 games, making seven starts, and has scored 15 goals during her four years. 

"Rink transferred in from Iona midway through her freshman year and it was as though she had been here in the fall," said head coach Meghan McDonogh. "She integrated seamlessly, creating relationships with her teammates and coaches, as well as consistently working hard on the field and in the classroom."

Off the field, Rinker is earning her degree in psychology and has been named to the Dean's List as a senior. She has also dedicated her time to the One Love Foundation, bringing workshops to Catholic's campus and promoting their messaging.

"She is a part of a senior class for us with a lot of dynamic and gifted players," said McDonogh,  "However she shows up and outworks just about everyone on a daily basis, setting an incredible standard for her peers and being a significant part of any success we have."

MARY ROJACK

A native of Madison, New Jersey, Rojack is a four-year member of the Catholic field hockey program. Throughout her career, Rojack appeared in 69 games making 64 starts while tallying seven goals and six assists. She is a three-time All-Landmark selection, including being named the Landmark Rookie of the Year in 2022 when she helped the Cardinals capture the Landmark Championship. She also was a NFHCA All-Region V Second Team selection during her sophomore season.

"Mary Rojack has made a meaningful impact on our community since the day she arrived on campus," said head coach Rachel Palumbo. "Mary is an exceptional individual and a strong presence within our department, both on and off the field. As her time in a Catholic uniform progressed, so did her confidence and leadership. She consistently connected with, encouraged, and supported her teammates through some of the most challenging moments a student-athlete can face."

Off the field, Rojack boasts a 3.81 GPA and is earning her degree in Social Work with a minor Psychology. She has been for MLK Jr. Day of Service throughout her career as well as Best Buddies. Rojack has also served as a mental health advocate in the athletic department.

"She shares her journey openly and embraces her role as a mental health advocate," said Palumbo. "Mary inspires those around her to strive for excellence, compete with purpose, and approach their experience with gratitude."

ELLIE TYNAN

A native of Bedford, New Hampshire, Tynan is a four-year member of the Catholic women's rowing team. Tynan is a two-year team captain, and has sat in the Varsity 8 for all four seasons at Catholic. She has been a part of four historic seasons for the Cardinals, earning the title of Champion for the Head of Schuylkill race as well as participating on the program's first Dad Vail Championship team. 

"Over the last four years, Ellie has evolved into a leader who perfectly embodies the balance of competitive grit and profound graciousness," said head coach Katie O'Driscoll. "Her growth is most evident in her transformation from a hesitant freshman into a senior who voluntarily repeated 2K tests back-to-back, twice in one season, simply because she knew she could do better."

In the classroom, Tynan boasts a 3.83 GPA and is set to earn her degree in Elementary Education. She has been on Dean's List all four years at Catholic and is a three-time MARCs All-Academic Team member. Tynan has also dedicated her time as a volunteer for the Mother Teresa and MLK Jr. Days of Service.

"She exudes humility in her pursuit of excellence and graciousness in every interaction," said O'Driscoll. "She is a true role model who consistently competes at a high level in athletics and academics, leaving an indelible mark on our program's culture."