COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is proud to announce Kyle Benson (Men's Squash), Cade Chezum (Men's Lacrosse), Addison Lee (Baseball), Jacob Raphan (Men's Soccer), Faye Stevens (Women's Track and Field), Sierra McDermed (Women's Basketball), Elizabeth Kendrick (Women's Lacrosse) and Rebecca Gutierrez (Women's Volleyball) as 2025 All-American Athlete Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year honorees.

This award recognizes all of our Brewers athletic accomplishments and their dedication to strength and conditioning. Nominated by Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance Alice Read and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Evan Fowler, their determination to improve in athletics while maintaining academic prominence is a great model for all student-athletes at Vassar College. 

"We are proud to have Vassar College in the NSCA in its mission to safely improve athletic performance," says Eric McMahon, NSCA's Coaching and Sport Science Program Manager, "Supporting our student-athletes guarantees a stronger future for the NSCA."

Congratulations to our eight All-American honorees and for an updated list of the All-American Athletes of the Year award, visit NSCA.com/All-American.
 
Jacob Raphan – Men's Soccer
Sophomore

Jacob Raphan is steadfast and hard working. Jacob's dedication shows through his outstanding progress in the weight room and consistent efforts at conditioning. His ability to nearly beat the goalkeeper YoYo agility test and move his body weight through maximal push-ups before doubling down on a 300+ front squat demonstrates his well-versed training. Jacob's intent in each and every training session is what sets him apart.

Addison Lee – Baseball 
Junior

Addison Lee is strong and passionate. Addison shows up each session ready to work regardless of any outside distractions. His 600lbs trap bar deadlift highlights his strength while his calmdemeanor and support of this teammates makes him a natural weight room leader. What makes Addison stand out is the seamless translation of strength training to athletic performance.

Kyle Benson – Men's Squash
Junior

Kyle Benson is strong and dedicated. Kyle is in constant search of the next movement pattern to master to build upon his foundation of strength. His commitment to his training is what has built him into one of our strongest student-athletes cranking out hundreds of push-ups and deadlifting 550+ pounds. Kyle's diverse set of strength and commitment to his training is what sets him apart.

Cade Chezum – Men's Lacrosse
First Year

Cade Chezum is strength. Cade can deadlift over 600lbs, front squats 350lbs, and can jump over 31 inches. He is asking all the right questions to build this strength into explosive power both in the weight room and on the field. He maximizes every opportunity to grow and is quickly setting himself apart as a first year. It is this strength that sets him apart.

Faye Stevens – Track and Field
Senior

Faye Stevens is powerful and perseverant. Faye has overcome obstacles big and small to build strength from the ground up. If the weight room is open… she is there building the blocks of
strength, mobility and power needed to perform on the track. In addition to her impressive commitment, she is also an energetic and passionate leader in the weight room motivating both teammates and fellow Brewers alike.

Sierra McDermed– Women's Basketball
Junior

Sierra McDermed defines hard work and determination. Don't let her quiet demeanor fool you, Sierra is mentally tough and physically strong. She has quickly become one of our strongest Brewers with the ability to front squat over 200lbs. It is this strength, dedication and commitment that sets her apart.

Elizabeth Kendrick – Women's Lacrosse
Senior

Elizabeth Kendrick is strong and driven. Elizabeth brings an on-field competitive nature to every training environment. She leads by example by pushing herself on each set while inquiring about how to improve the next. This drive has pushed her to hang clean 150lbs, front squat over 200lbs, and deadlift 315lbs. What sets Elizabeth apart is her work ethic and commitment to the process.

Rebecca Gutierrez – Women's Volleyball
Junior

Rebecca Gutierrez is driven and disciplined. Rebecca's commitment to the weight room throughout the year has built her strength and power to the next level. She is explosively hang cleaning one set then crushing chin-ups the next. Her versatile ability and constituency allow her to lead by example for her teammates and fellow Brewers. It is this combination of strength, power, and consistency that sets her apart.

About the National Strength & Conditioning Association
Founded in 1978, The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning and related sport science professions around the world. The NSCA exists to empower a community of professionals to maximize their impact through disseminating evidence-based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, networking opportunities, and continuing education. The NSCA community is composed of more than 60,000 members and certified professionals throughout the world who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performance and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals, and other related roles.