CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. – Senior forward Grace Heiting of the Union College women’s hockey team was announced as a top three finalist for the 2022 Mandi Schwartz Student-Athlete of the Year award, ECAC Hockey announced.
The Mandi Schwartz Student-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to an ECAC Hockey women’s player in honor of former Yale University student-athlete Mandi Schwartz (1988-2011). Mandi passed away in April 2011, but continues to inspire the hockey community through the memory of her courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Student-athletes are nominated by their coaching staff and school administrators and must be leaders within their teams, in the classroom, and in the community. Each ECAC Hockey institution boasts one finalist for the award.
“Grace is the epitome of a Union College student-athlete”, said Head Coach Josh Sciba, “A dedicated, high achiever in the classroom, coupled with leadership on the ice and the lacrosse field. In addition, all of the research and community service that she’s been involved with has made her one of the most well-rounded individuals to ever come through our program. Union women’s hockey is better because of players like Grace.”
On the ice, Heiting, a senior co-captain, leads the Dutchwomen in goals with eight and points with 13. This follows her sophomore season where she led Union with six goals and eight assists.
In the classroom, Heiting is double majoring in Spanish and biology on a Pre-Med track. A three-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team selection (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21) and a 2019-20 AHCA All-American Scholar, she is currently in the Beckman Scholars Program, which provides “mentored research experience for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry, biological sciences, or interdisciplinary combinations thereof.” She is also an active member of Union’s Honor Council, playing a part in maintaining academic integrity on campus.
In addition, Heiting serves as a campus ambassador for Gift of Life, a non-profit organization that recruits donors to join the national bone marrow registry. In her role, she holds drives and events targeted at college students, and has already matched two potential donors during her time at Union.
The winner of the Mandi Schwartz Student-Athlete of the Year Award, as determined by the ECAC Hockey awards committee, will be announced on Saturday, February 19th.
(Union College Women’s Hockey Photo)
