Meet the Women Athletes
People’s Credit Union is proud to recognize the women athletes at URI. Read about their story, why being a female athlete is important, and how they are helping to shape future leaders in the community.
Meet the women from URI Athletics.
Lillian Deering is the head coach of the URI Swimming and Diving team.
Lilli says “It is an honor to be inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame “
Watch Lilli’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Emma Hughes is a senior on the URI Lacrosse team.
Emma says “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it has given me a leadership role in the community I grew up in.”
Watch Emma’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Sydney Federico is a graduate student on the URI Track and Field team.
Syd says, ” I love being a female athlete here at URI because it is great to be surrounded by like-minded women who push each other to be successful off and on the track.”
Watch Syd’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Amanda Cubit and Maia Hembruff are sophomores on the URI rowing team.
They say, “We love being female athletes here at URI because it means we are constantly pushing boundaries and means being disciplined.”
Watch Amanda and Maia’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Joanna Ball is a sophomore on the URI Track and field team.
Joanna says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I was able to join a community of people who want to better themselves and all have a mutual goal of succeeding.”
Watch Joanna’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Cayla Cajilig is a Graduate Student on the URI Soccer team.
Cayla says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because when I was younger I always looked up to older women in sports… and now I can be a role model for younger girls to look up to.”
Watch Cayla’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Sophie Herrman is a Junior on the URI Tennis team.
Sophie says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I get to inspire all the younger generations of women out there.”
Watch Sophie’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Brooke Gerry is a freshman on the URI Softball team.
Brooke says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I get to inspire the younger girls to chase their dreams and do what they want.”
Watch Brooke’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Evelyn Tabor is a junior on the URI Rowing Team.
Evelyn says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it gives me the opportunity to live up and take advantage of the barriers that women before me were able to break.”
Watch Evelyn’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Amyah Santana is a Graduate Student on the URI Track+ Field Team.
Amyah says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it is something that not a lot of people in my generation appreciate. It is cool to be a part of history.”
Watch Amyah’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Madison and Megan Disu are sophomores on the URI Volleyball Team.
The twins say, “We love being female athletes here at URI because it is important to be here to inspire the younger generation.”
Watch the twin’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Ella Hacker is a Senior on the URI Swim+ Dive Team.
Ella says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it means representing our community and school well. We are also a female-only team, so we really try to empower the younger generation.”
Watch Ella’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Lauren Wasikowski is a Junior on the URI Softball Team.
Lauren says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I love showing the younger girls that if you work hard and determined, you can reach your goals.”
Watch Lauren’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Lily Saul is a Sophomore on the URI XC + Track & Field Team.
Lily says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because younger girls can look up to me, see my records, and strive to be like me, just as I did to the female athletes before me.”
Watch Lily’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Cierra Penny is a Junior on the URI Soccer Team
Cierra says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I get to inspire younger generations like my sister to play soccer and be more powerful and confident.”
Watch Cierra’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Irma Accius is a Junior on the URI Rowing Team
Irma says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I get to empower all my great teammates and inspire younger generations to come.”
Watch Irma’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Maddie Tetreault is a Senior on the URI Swim + Dive Team
Maddie says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it has given me a great number of friends and opportunities in and outside the pool.”
Watch Maddie’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Lindsay Turgeon is a Senior on the URI XC + Track & Field Team
Lindsay says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it means I get to be a role model for the younger generations… if you work hard, you can achieve your goals.”
Watch Lindsay’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Madison Iler is a Sophomore on the URI Lacrosse team
Madison says, “I love being a female athlete here at URI because it means setting an example for the younger girls behind us and showing them that they can be strong and powerful regardless of what they look like on the outside.”
Watch Madison’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Amyah Santana is a Senior on the URI Track & Field Team
Amyah says “I love being a female athlete here at URI because there are lots of opportunities for us. Being a female athlete, I’ve gone through a bunch of different experiences and its awesome to have that representation.”
Watch Amyah’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Emma Hughes is a Senior on the URI Lacrosse Team
Emma says “I love being a female athlete here at URI because I get to be a part of building a brand new program with two strong female coaches. Being a part of this team, and building it from the ground up, I got to see women from all over the country come together to be a part of this team.”
Watch Emma’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Hannah Blaney is a Junior on the URI Volleyball Team
Hanna says “I love being a female athlete here at URI for many reasons. One, I’m from Michigan and its pretty cool to be so close to the ocean. Two, we just have such a cool sense of community. Not one of us on the team is from Rhode Island so I get to meet people that I would never get to meet.”
Watch Hannah’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Mia Bonvissuto is a Senior on the URI Swimming & Diving Team
Mia says “My favorite part being a female student athlete at the University of Rhode Island is the relationships that I have made with the girls on the other division one teams. I love the impact that I have been able to make helping other female student athletes further their education as well as their athletics.”
Watch Mia’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Nicole Jones is a sophomore on the URI Women’s Rowing Team
Nicole says, “Being a female student-athlete gives her a privilege and honor for being able to be an athlete in the year that they celebrate 50 years of Title IX.
Watch Nicole PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Gabrielle Shilling is a Graduate Student on the URI Women’s Volleyball Team.
She appreciates the fan support in the stands, on social media, and campus. Being a female student-athlete means having strong-minded independent people around her at all times.
Watch Gabrielle’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Willow Dunster is a Senior on the URI Swimming and Dive Team.
Willow says, “Diving is a sport that constantly challenges you to push yourself and step outside your comfort zone. I love being a female student-athlete as it has given me a space to build confidence and valuable leadership skills.”
Watch Willow’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Maddie Melice is a Junior on the URI Softball Team.
Maddie says, “Being a female student-athlete has been the most rewarding and empowering experience I have ever been a part of. My experience at URI has enhanced me as a softball player and a leader and person. Working towards a common goal with my best friends and an amazing coaching staff has been an opportunity of a lifetime and something I will remember and cherish forever.”
Watch Maddie’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Nadia Rajan is a Senior on the URI Tennis Team
Nadia says, “Being a female student-athlete means supporting other women athlets. It is also really imortant to show the younger girsl that they can do anything they put their mind to. Support is very important to me, hearing our fans in the stands when we are playing helps drive us.”
Watch Nadia’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Carleigh Schlissel is a Junior on the URI Swimming and Dive Team
Maddie says “Being a female student-athlete means to grow my education and my sport. I think that athletics inspires those around us, I want to build up the younger generation so we can continue to build a bigger better program. I love being a Ram!”
Watch Carleigh’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Leilyn Alvarez is a Sophomore on the URI Softball Team
Leilyn says “I love to play my favorite sport with my favorite people! I enjoy inspiring the future generations and being part of this community.”
Watch Leilyn’s PCU Go Rhody Minute here.
Rachel Zingerman is a Senior on the URI Softball Team
Rachel says “I play softball here at URI with the most amazing and talented teammates. Being a female student-athlete is such a blessing because I get the opportunity to show the younger generation that women can do it too. It is so special living out my dreams of getting an education through softball.”
