Stroke? Cancer? Little seems able to stop strong, focused and dedicated local college athletes, two of whom were recently named Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Courage Award winners for March.
The awards are given by the system, in association with the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), to student athletes who demonstrate courage in the face of adversity. The honorees – chosen by a panel of writers, editors and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and College Hoops Illustrated — receive a plaque and a donation to their college’s general scholarship fund in their names.
Honored at ceremonies March 10 were Katelynn Mann, a swimmer at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and Jacob Anderson, who plays lacrosse at Mitchell College in New London.
Mann was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the beginning of her sophomore swim season at CCSU. She managed to maintain a positive attitude as she underwent rounds of chemotherapy and while her teammates raised more than $2,500 for cancer research in her honor. She returned to training after treatment and was back in the pool for the 2018-19 season. She competed for the Blue Devils in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke events at the conference championships. This year, Mann has posted a Northeast Conference Top 10 time in the 100 yard individual medley, and competed with her team at the conference championships February 19-22.
It was the first semester freshman year in 2018 when Anderson suffered a stroke and was transported by helicopter for emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. Just two weeks later, he was back on campus to complete the academic semester. The following spring, he returned to the field for his first season of collegiate lacrosse for Mitchell. Anderson played in 12 games that season and was a major contributor on offense. He finished the season with 14 goals and seven assists, including a pair of overtime game winners.
“Hartford HealthCare is excited to recognize these two remarkable young student-athletes, who, despite setbacks, have overcome challenges to continue to perform their best as both scholars and athletes,” said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive officer of Hartford HealthCare. “Our organization’s purpose is to help people live their healthiest lives, and both Katelynn and Jacob’s courageous stories of recovery and perseverance are an inspiration to all.”
In May, one male and one female student-athlete will be chosen from the finalists as Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Courage Award Winners. Hartford HealthCare will donate $15,000 to the general scholarship funds for the student-athletes selected as finalists, with $2,500 being awarded in the names of each of the two winners and $10,000 on behalf of the other 10 finalists.
Sports information directors at all colleges and universities in Connecticut can nominate deserving male and female intercollegiate student-athletes through March 30 at HartfordHealthCareCourageAwards.com.