BOSTON, Mass. – Senior ice hockey forward Ryan McGrath (O'Fallon, Mo.) and senior field hockey midfielder Kelly Freitas (Manchester, N.H.) have been named nominees for the 2016 America East Man and Woman of the Year, respectively, as announced by conference office Monday afternoon.
 
McGrath looks to become the first UMass Lowell male student-athlete to take home the honor and the third overall winner, since the conference introduced the award in 2014. Former baseball standout Geoff DeGroot was nominated in 2015.
 
The O'Fallon, Mo. native is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and is extremely active in the Team IMPACT Program acting as the team liaison between the hockey team and the Team IMPACT match Lucas St. Onge, a five-year-old with an immune dysfunction. McGrath was also the recipient of the David J. Boutin Award, presented to the top male student-athlete who encompasses academic and athletic excellent, leadership and service, at the Athletic Department's annual award banquet. The forward capped off his senior campaign with seven goals and 13 points and is a member of the winningest Div. I class in the history of the River Hawk Hockey program. McGrath is a criminal justice major and carries a 3.33 GPA.
 
The Woman of the Year has been awarded since 2006, with the winner entering the selection process for NCAA Woman of the Year. 
 
Freitas, a Chancellor's Medal for Student Service recipient and two-time Laurie A. Mann award winner for academic and athletic excellence, leadership and service, looks to become the first female River Hawk to garner the award. The Team IMPACT Ambassador is a four-time NFHCA Academic Squad honoree and a three-time America East Fall Honor Roll selection, who carries a 3.68 GPA as a graphic design major. She has served as the UMass Lowell Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President for 2015-2016, as well as representing the university on the America East Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The midfielder/back started all 19 games this season with two goals and four assists for eight points.
 
The three finalists for both sides will be announced next week, with the winners being announced on Tuesday, June 7 as part of the conference's annual awards dinner.