WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, May 15, 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, continuing 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 Katarina Bauer, Paige Brightwell, Kerry Flaherty, Gaby Hernandez-Ferraiuoli, Kate Inglis, Mia Perkell and Ava Snyder. 

KATARINA BAUER

A four-year member of the Catholic women's soccer program, Kat Bauer hails from Palmyra, Pa. The midfielder appeared in 73 games in her career, making 45 starts, while scoring three goals and tallying three assists in over 4,000 minutes played. Bauer, a two-year team captain, was a steady presence in the lineup for the Cardinals throughout her career from the day she stepped on campus and was a key contributor for the team's efforts as a defensive midfielder, contributing to 24 shutouts over her final two seasons.

"Since the day Kat Bauer stepped on Carlini field she has led this team to reach higher levels of
success every single year," said head coach Casey Sommers. "Her natural ability to lead by example along with the level of respect she has garnered from her peers is second to none."

Off the field, Bauer maintains a 4.0 GPA and is set to earn her degree in Biochemistry. She has been a CSC Academic All-District selection each of the last three seasons and is an active member of SAAC while also performing regular weekly service activities as a Service Corp Leader. She is also a member of the Student Philanthropy and Chemistry clubs and a regular Dufour Athletic staff event employee.

"She is one of the toughest, most intelligent, mature, young women I have had the pleasure
of coaching," said Sommers. "It is very easy for me to speak to all of her amazing abilities and traits that explain why she is so deserving of this award but one of my current juniors said it best…'When I grow up I want to be Kat'."

PAIGE BRIGHTWELL

Paige Brightwell hails from Columbia, Md. and is a four-year member of the Catholic women's tennis program. A team captain, between singles and doubles, Brightwell has amassed over 40 victories in her career, reaching double-digits wins in each of the last two seasons. She is in the top 10 in program history in both total wins and doubles wins in her career. She reached the quarterfinals in the Landmark Conference tournament in her junior season and is set to compete in the tournament this season as well.

"Paige Brightwell has been an incredible role model, not only for our program but for all
athletes and students she interacts with," said head coach Nate Farlow. "As a captain she
has put an emphasis on the mental health of our team through team activities and building
exercises." 

Away from the court, Brightwell holds a 3.71 GPA and is earning her degree in Nursing. She is a two-time CSC Academic All-District recipient and was named to the 2024 Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic team. In addition, she was selected as the 2022-23 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar Athlete. Brightwell is a member of the Student Nurses' Association and Cardinal Red Cross. She has also volunteered her time with the D.C. Homeless Food Run and the MLK Day of Service. 

In my three years coaching Paige, she has been a staple in our lineup, always polite, focussed, and humble," said Farlow. "A great view of her leadership impact is the growth we have made as a team during her career. Paige is the epitome of what a role model is!"


KERRY FLAHERTY

A two-year member with the Catholic women's basketball program after transferring in from Holy Cross, Kerry Flaherty hails from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. She played and started in 57 games in her time with the Cardinals, averaging just under 27 minutes played per game. For her career, she averaged 10.5 points per game while making the fifth-most three-pointers in program history, making 141 over her two seasons. As a team captain in her final season, Flaherty was a key contributor and one of the best shooters in the country for a team that was nationally ranked throughout the entirety of the season. She averaged 11.3 points per game while making a program single-season record 82 threes, shooting 41.8 percent from beyond the arc which is the fourth-best percentage from deep in a single-season in program history.

"When I think about Kerry Flaherty's time here with our program, I cannot help but think about her giving and compassionate nature toward all around her," said head coach Matt Donohue. "As a mentor to her teammates, a leader to all, and a symbol of what it means to work hard and dedicate yourself to a team, Kerry's impact on and off the court was felt from the instant she set foot on campus."

Off the court, Flaherty holds a 3.68 GPA and is earning her master's degree in World Politics with a concentration in International Relations. She has made the Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll in both of her seasons at Catholic as well as being on the Dean's List. She has done volunteer work with the St. Johns Soup Kitchen, Mother Teresa Day of Service and MLK Day of Service. Flaherty has also been an assistant at both the CUA Women's Basketball Youth and Prospect camps. 

"I simply cannot say enough great things about the selflessness, character, leadership, work ethic and compassion for others displayed by Kerry on a daily basis," said Donohue. "In all regards, she has been an exemplary example of a leader who exudes graciousness in victory and humility in defeat, while rallying her peers to excel at a high level in athletics and beyond."

GABY HERNANDEZ-FERRAIUOLI

A Dorado, Puerto Rico native, Gaby Hernandez-Ferraiuoli is a five-year member of the Catholic volleyball team. Hernandez-Ferraiuoli appeared in 111 matches throughout her career, competing in the ninth-most sets in program history with 392. She is sixth all-time in program history with 1,598 digs while also tallying 303 assists and 130 service aces in her career. In her fifth season, Hernandez-Ferraiuoli racked up 634 digs which was the fifth-most in a single-season in program history and the most since the 2012 season. She played a key role in helping the Cardinals win their first Landmark Conference tournament match since 2013 with 17 digs and nine assists in the quarterfinals against Susquehanna. 

"Gaby embodies the Jone Dowd Student-Athlete Role Model Award through her consistent
leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship," said head coach Casey Burford. "She lifts her teammates, setting the standard for competitive excellence while fostering a culture of support."

Away from the court, Hernandez-Ferraiuoli holds a 3.67 GPA and is earning her degree in Media and Communications. She was selected to the 2022 CSC Academic All-District team as well as being named to the Landmark Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll twice. She has volunteered with DC Special Olympics in the volleyball unit throughout her time at Catholic and also worked with the Busch School of Business to serve food to those in need during Thanksgiving.

"With humility in victory and defeat, she always puts the team first, leaving a lasting impact and inspiring future leaders to follow in her footsteps," said Burford. "Her presence, skills, and infectious spirit have shaped the program, and she will be truly missed in the seasons to come."

KATE INGLIS

Kate Inglis hails from Moorestown, N.J. and is a four-year member of both the Catholic women's cross country team and track & field team. A three-time team captain, in track & field Inglis has racked up four First Team All-Landmark selections between indoor and outdoor, including being the 2024 Landmark Track Athlete of the Year which, making her the second Catholic athlete to ever do so, and is a six-time USTFCCA All-South Region recipient. She holds the program record in the 3000m (indoor), 5000m (indoor), 5000m (outdoor) and 3000m steeplechase (outdoor). In cross country, she has qualified for the NCAA Championships two times and is a three-time Landmark Conference First Team selection. She became the first Landmark Conference Performer of the Year in 2024, taking first place at the Landmark Conference Championships. She also set a new program record in her senior season in the 6K with a time of 21:51.1. 

"As a three-year team captain, Kate has led by grace and integrity—rallying her team to
historic success, including back-to-back Landmark Conference Cross Country Championships
for the first time in program history," said head coach Steve Rahn. "She has guided her teammates through grueling workouts, setbacks, and triumphs, always emphasizing team over self. Her graciousness in victory and humility in defeat has made her a trusted leader, both among her peers and across the broader campus community."

Away from the track, Inglis boasts a 3.92 GPA and is earning her degree in Nursing. Throughout all sports seasons, she has made the CSC Academic All-District team four times and was named the USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete in 2023. She also received the Carolyn Hughes Trophy for on the track, in the classroom, and through her leadership. In all four of her years, she volunteered for Mother Teresa and MLK Jr. Days of Service and was also involved with the Cardinal Cupboard. She is a member of the Student Nurses' Association, has been on the Dean's List throughout her collegiate career, and has made the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team in each of her four years.

"Whether breaking school and conference records or enduring the grit of distance racing, Kate competes with quiet strength and elevates everyone around her through her example," said Rahn. "Kate has not only raised the standard of athletic performance but has set the gold standard for sportsmanship, character, and compassion—making her a remarkable and deserving recipient of the Jone Dowd Role Model Award."

MIA PERKELL

A North Woodmere, N.Y. native, Mia Perkell is a three-year member of the Catholic women's lacrosse team. Perkell has played in 40 games in her career at Catholic, making 17 starts and has racked up 50 goals, 11 assists, 23 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers and seven draw controls. She shined in her junior season on a team that reached the Landmark Conference Championship and the Second Round of the NCAA tournament with 36 goals and seven assists to be selected to the All-Landmark Conference Second Team. Perkell missed her senior season after suffering a preseason injury. 

"This was beyond disappointing for all of us, especially for her, but the way she has handled
her prehab, surgery and rehab and the role she has embraced as an additional offensive coach has been remarkable," said head coach Meghan McDonogh. "As a transfer it can be challenging at times to join a new program, however Mia seamlessly integrated into our team, athletic department and school."

Off the field, Perkell holds a 3.77 GPA and is earning her degree in Biology. She was named to the IWLCA and Landmark Academic Honor roll in her junior season and has served as an undergraduate coach for the women's lacrosse team this season. Perkell is a One Love Ambassador and Facilitator and helped organize all team service activities during her junior year. 

"Known as the strongest athlete at the Duf, it has been incredible to see the way she has handled such a difficult injury in her senior year," said McDonogh. "Starting off the school year too she has been the leader of our nursing freshmen...it is a hoot to see all 5ish feet of her with 7 freshmen following her between Conway and the Pryz as she has been a tremendous role model and leader for them – as evidenced by the way they have been able to succeed this year on the field."

AVA SNYDER

Ava Snyder hails from Moorestown, N.J. and is a four-year member of the Catholic women's swimming and diving team. Snyder, a team-captain her senior season, is a 14-time All-Landmark Conference recipient, including seven individual championships. She is the program record holder in both the 400 and 800 medley. She brought home the most championships at the Landmark Championships in her sophomore season with four and followed up with three in her junior year. She was a part of the team that brought home the Landmark Conference Championship in 2023 as well.

"Throughout her college career, Ava has been a leader across the team and has continued
to foster excellence both for herself and for the team," said head coach John Bodden. "She was exceptional at accepting defeat graciously but also knew how to conduct herself when it came to winning events."

Away from the pool, Snyder boasts a 3.78 GPA and is earning her degree in nursing. She is a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and has been on the Dean's List for every semester that she has been at Catholic. She has volunteered her time with several events during her collegiate career including the Catholic Day of Service, Best Buddies Walk and the Ronald McDonald House. 

"She found time to make sure that those that needed support were heard but she did it in a way that helped to push people constructively," said Bodden. "constructively. She did everything
that she could to be the best person and teammate that she could be for their entire time that I've known her. Never had issues, in some ways, she was an incredible support system for me as well when I was transitioning over as a head coach."