NORTON, Mass. –- The Wheaton College (Mass.) Department of Athletics and Recreation formally inducted five individuals and two teams into the 2025 Athletics Yowell Hall of Fame.
The following former student-athletes were inducted on May 17 in Emerson Gymnasium at the Haas Athletic Center: Neva Metcalf '00, Michael Spavento '02, Niara Woods '02, Shaun Cavanaugh '03 and Ashante Little '14. In addition to the 1997 Softball Team and the 2001 Softball Team.
The ceremony can be seen here.
Metcalf is arguably the greatest women's volleyball player in school history. She enjoyed a four-year career at Wheaton from 1996-99. The middle hitter is one of just seven players in NEWMAC history to be named First Team All-Conference four times and was named to the Volleyball 25 Year All-NEWMAC Team in 2022. The Fort Collins, Colo. native was also a four-time All-Region selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and was named to the New England Women's Volleyball Association First Team following both her junior and senior seasons. She still owns the school mark for kills with 2,084 and played in 540 sets for the second-most played in program history. Not only was she an exceptional hitter for the Lyons, but she was also a force from behind the service line with 338 aces to rank first all-time at Wheaton and ranks second on the career list with 1,884 digs and 568 total blocks to solidify her place as one of the best all-around players in the region during her tenure.
"We all cheered for each other," recalled Metcalf about her days at Wheaton. "The softball team would show up at our games. We showed up at their games. Thank you, Wheaton, for the family. It's so good to see everybody here. It was like, wow, this is the reunion I want. These are the people I love. Seeing the track team, you all were so amazing. And so again, thank you. This was definitely my second family. So without volleyball, I would never have gotten to this Wheaton family, so I really appreciate that."
Spavento is one of the best relief pitchers in school history. The right-hander put together one of the greatest seasons for a reliever in NCAA Division III history in 2002 and helped Wheaton advance to the NCAA Tournament Regional Final for the first time in program history. The Milton, Mass. native posted a 1.62 earned run average, which stands as the fourth-lowest mark in school history, while holding opposing hitters to a .213 (29-136) batting mark. He did not allow a home run to 161 batters he faced and registered a Division III record of 19 saves in a school-record 30 appearances. Spavento was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-America Team to become just the second Lyon pitcher ever to earn All-America accolades and the first to land on the First Team. In addition, he earned New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-New England honors and was invited to pitch in the NEIBA All-Star Game. Spavento was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star First Team and was a NEWMAC All-Conference honoree. He still ranks second on the Lyons' career list for saves (35), third for appearances (79) and fifth for ERA (2.51).
Spavento gave credit to his teammates for his success. "To my teammates, you made this honor possible. Baseball is a team sport with individual performances and I needed every single one of you to succeed."
Woods was an integral member of the Lyons' 4X400-meter relay team, helping Wheaton capture four National Championships in the event, including three straight from 2000-02 during the indoor campaign. The Philadelphia, Pa. native was an eight-time All-America selection for the Lyons and is one of the greatest middle distance runners in school history. Woods earned All-America honors twice in the indoor 800 meters and three times each for both the indoor and outdoor 4X400 relay squads. She still holds the school outdoor record for the 800 meters at 2:13.38 and her mark of 2:14.13 is the second-fastest 800-meter indoor time at Wheaton. Woods claimed back-to-back NEWMAC titles in the outdoor 800 meters in 2001 and 2002 and was named to the Outdoor Track & Field 25 Year All-NEWMAC Team in 2023.
"Please know that I am very thankful for my athletic career, how far it's brought me, and to just put the icing on the cake with being inducted into the Hall of Fame", explained Woods. "To be back here on campus, it's an amazing feeling, and I just want to say thank you all so much for this, for this time to get inducted. Thank you."
Cavanaugh became the first player in NEWMAC history to earn Player of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons (2001 & 2002) and was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. His prowess in the NEWMAC led to his nod to the Men's Soccer 25 Year All-NEWMAC Team in 2022. The midfielder was also the first Lyon to earn First Team NSCAA All-America honors following his junior campaign and was a Second Team All-America designee as a junior. Cavanaugh was tabbed First Team All-New England in each of his final two seasons for Wheaton. He was part of a four-year run that saw Wheaton post a 65-16-2 (.795) record, while making a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a march to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2001. The Newtown (Conn.) High School product was outstanding in the classroom as well, being honored as a Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree. He stands sixth on Wheaton's career scoring list with 92 points and is fifth in goals (35) and eighth in assists (22).
Cavanaugh paid homage to Wheaton. "I found a home on Keefe Field. Wheaton shaped me through its values, grit, heart, and community. Taught me discipline, resilience, and the strength of teamwork. Success is built on those who lift you higher." Cavanaugh also closed with appreciation for those at Wheaton that helped him. "To the Wheaton community, faculty, staff, fans, your pride fueled us. This isn't just a college, it's a home that shapes us all. This induction is a privilege and a challenge to carry the Lion Spirit forward. I hope my journey inspires the next Lyons to chase greatness and courage with heart. This honor belongs to everyone who wore the blue and white."
Little was one of the greatest track athletes in the rich history of the Lyons' program, winning the National Championship in the 400 meters to cap the 2013 outdoor season and the 2014 indoor campaign. She was recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as the National and New England Track Athlete of the Year following the 2014 indoor season and was tabbed the USTFCCCA Outdoor New England Track Athlete of the Year in addition to being named the NEWMAC Athlete of the Year in 2014. The South Hampton, N.H. native earned All-America status 16 times in six different events, including being a three-time selection for the 400 meters in both the indoor and outdoor season. She earned All-America honors a total of eight times as part of Wheaton's relay squads, including three times for the outdoor 4X400 unit and twice each for the 4X100 relay in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Little established herself as one of the greatest hurdlers in school annals, regardless of distance, earning All-America status for the indoor 60-meter race as well as the outdoor 100 and 400-meter races. She earned eight NEWMAC outdoor crowns, including a pair of conference titles in the 100-meter hurdles, wins in both the 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles, in addition to helping the Lyons take two wins each in the 4X100 and 4X400 relays. Her name can be found etched throughout Wheaton's record book with a total of five school standards to her name. Little owns indoor school marks for the 200 meters (24.67), the 500 meters (1:14.33) and the 600 meters (1:32.09) to go with outdoor records for the 100-meter hurdles (13.89) and the 400-meter hurdles (58.51).
"The men and women that I had the privilege of training with, day in and day out, found me at my absolute best and worst," remembered Little. "They are the folks who've made my career. There is no greater pride than that as a Wheaton Lyon, and I couldn't be more proud and more grateful to be a part of this legacy and to be a part of this program. Again, I'm deeply honored."
The 1997 Wheaton College Softball team is arguably the greatest team in program history. The Lyons posted a 45-7 (.865) record, while advancing to the NCAA III National Semifinals. The team boasted seven regulars with a .333 or better batting average and a one-two punch from the pitching circle that had no equal in the nation. Four All-Americans wore the Blue and White for Wheaton that season, including senior third base Randi Carine, a First Team All-America selection and the ECAC New England and New 8 Player of the Year. The team was guided by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association New England and New 8 Coach of the Year Gina Loudenburg. Kim Sears burst onto the scene as the NEW 8 Rookie of the Year and a Third Team All-America honoree behind both her arm and her bat. As much of a speed threat Carine was, Second Team All-America selection Jessica Johnson was the power behind the Lyons' roar, belting 16 round trippers, while driving in 65 runs and rapping out 78 hits to lead NCAA Division III in all three categories. The two players epitomized the power-speed dynamic of a Lyon offense that hit .365 to rank 17th in the nation, while leading the country with 38 homers and standing fourth with 131 stolen bases. Sophomore catcher Dina Terceira hit .423 (71-168) and was a Third Team All-America selection, who drove in 45 runs and led the squad with 18 walks as part of a .478 on-base mark. Sears was the ultimate dual threat for Wheaton. The right-hander posted a 24-5 record from the pitching circle with 10 shutouts and owned a 2.20 earned run average. That should have been enough for anyone to justify being named the league's top rookie and Third Team All-America, except that she swung one of the most potent bats in the nation as well. Sears batted .423 (69-163), hit eight homers and knocked in 46 runs in 50 games for the Lyons. Sophomore hurler Lisa Byrnes was the other headache for opposing hitters, posting a miniscule 1.68 earned run average, while spinning a 20-2 record from the circle and was named Second Team All-Region. The team won 18 straight games during the season as a sign of its consistency and strung together 12 more wins in a row as part of the Wheaton's run through the NEW 8 Tournament and also captured the Northeast Regional crown to propel them to the College World Series. The Lyons ultimately finished third in the nation. Members of the 1997 Wheaton Softball team include, Ingrid Abboud '97, Jen Bump '00, Lisa Byrnes '99, Randi Carine '97, Kristen Conlon '00, Co-Captain Diana Currie '97, Emily Frant '00, Kristen Hedrick '98, Jessica Johnson '98, Kate Kostanski '00, Sue Larkin '99, Kim Sears '00, Dina Terceira '99, Lindsay Van Tol '99, Head Coach Gina Loudenburg, Assistant Coaches Skip Wilbur and Bob Roscoe.
Kristen Hedrick was one of two speakers, along with Terceira, for the team. Hedrick talked about the support the team received from the College's administration. "We had two super fans with President Dale Marshall, who has sadly passed, and Dean Sue Alexander. They were always cheering us on for us to succeed on and off the field. I don't know how many other schools where the people in those positions would take the time to get to know the athletic teams as these people did. We were just so lucky and blessed to have them as part of our team. Thank you, Dean Sue. We love you."
The 2001 Wheaton College Softball Team also finished third in the nation after advancing to the National Semifinals and turning in a 42-9 record. The Lyons' were composed of just two seniors and a pair of juniors in addition to two sophomores and eight first years. The team's hallmark was pitching and speed. Wheaton hurlers produced a 1.53 earned run average to rank 34th in the nation, while holding opponents to a paltry .188 batting average. The line-up was a nightmare for opposing catchers, racking up 190 stolen bases to lead all of NCAA Division III. Senior Captain Jill D'Arcy earned First Team All-America honors from the second base spot and was second on the team with 33 stolen bases. Sophomore outfielder Maren Schrader led the nation with a school-record 55 stolen bases and was caught just four times. The Oregon native hit .438 (84-192) with a team-high 84 hits from the top of the Lyon lineup. Second Team All-Region honoree Rachael Powers batted .389 with a team-leading .567 slugging percentage and junior first base Lucy Campbell was a Third-Team All-Region selection for the Lyons and led the team with 31 runs batted in, while hitting .350 (56-160). First year middle infielder Brianna Shawah was named to the All-NEWMAC team in addition to earning First Team All-ECAC accolades after hitting .378 (45-119). First year starting pitcher Jackie Demling was one of the greatest power pitchers in school history. Her rookie campaign saw her fan 228 batters in 224 innings to rank 17th in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings pitched. Demling posted a 26-6 record for the third-most wins in Division III and posted a 1.62 ERA, while hurling 12 shutouts. Christie Hineline was the other rookie sensation in the circle for the Lyons. The first year was 16-3 and held opponents to a .189 batting mark to go with a dominant 1.35 earned run average for the eighth-lowest mark in program history. First year outfielder Carmella Ranieri enjoyed a tremendous rookie campaign, hitting .393 (55-140), while Lori Hill batted .306 (34-111) in 39 games. Senior Co-Captain Katie Zuman settled in with a .282 (35-124) batting mark and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Regionals. Again, Loudenburg pushed the right buttons during the season. The Lyons rolled through the NEWMAC Tournament with three shutouts en-route to the conference crown and an NCAA Tournament bid. From there, Wheaton advanced to the Regional final, where it rebounded to beat Bridgewater State twice to punch their ticket to the College World Series. The Lyons closed their run with a third-place national finish. Members of the 2001 Wheaton Softball team include, Katie Boyle '04, Lucy Campbell '02, Jill D'Arcy '01, Jackie Demling '04, Amanda Dow-Allen '04, Lori Hill '04, Christie Hineline '04, Gina Jacques '04, Kate Pinzino '02, Rachael Powers '03, Carmella Ranieri '04, Maren Schrader '03, Brianna Shawah '04, Katie Zuman '01, Head Coach Gina Loudenburg and Assistant Coaches Randi Carine, Steph DeLucia and Bob Roscoe.
Zuman talked about the win in the Regional Championship Game to send the Lyons to the College World Series, "It will forever be one of my favorite days of my life. The vibes and the emotions I felt not only from the game but from our teammates. We did it for each other." D'Arcy closed with words of wisdom for her own children, "Kids, I hope you guys can learn stuff from me about how much hard work is going to set you up for success and not to give up. Sports are hard, and there's going to be good days and there's going to be bad days, but you keep showing up and you keep working hard and I promise you it's going to pay off. So that's what softball meant for me."
