Cobleskill, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill Athletic Department announced today that sophomore Courtney Palmer, Middletown, N.Y., Pine Bush High School, a member of the Hunt Seat Equestrian Program, and sophomore Taylor Meacham, Berne, N.Y., Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, a member of the women's basketball team have been named as co-recipients of the 2022-23 Mary Danaher Women's Scholar-Athlete Award.

The award was presented at the college's recent Athletic Awards Convocation and is given to the female student/athlete who combines an outstanding academic record with exceptional athletic performance. The award is named in honor of former long-time Fighting Tiger Athletic Director/Physical Education Chairperson/Head Coach Mary Danaher.

During the year, Courtney Palmer helped lead the Fighting Tiger Hunt Seat Equestrian Team to the 2022-23 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Region 3 Zone 2 Reserve Team Championship as the Cobleskill placed second overall in the regional standings.

According to Head Coach Ray Whelihan, his co-captain is a well-rounded individual and a great example of what a college student-athlete should be.
 "I can't be prouder of Courtney and she's a deserving award winner as co-scholar athlete. Courtney serves as co-captain of the equestrian team, is an officer for two student clubs, and a 4.0 student working towards a BS in Animal Science with the realistic hope of Veterinary College. Courtney's commitment, diligence and resilience ensnared her to succeed at consistently high levels."

Taylor Meacham helped lead the Fighting Tiger women's basketball team to one of the best seasons since the team's move to the NCAA level of competition as Cobleskill posted a 16-10 overall record including an 11-3 record in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) action and their second consecutive NAC Championship Tournament appearance.

During the season on the court in 24 games, the Cobleskill co-captain averaged 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game shooting 42.6% from the field and 71.1% from the free throw line while earning over a 3.8 grade point average in the classroom as an Animal Science major.

SUNY Cobleskill Head Women's Basketball Coach Megan Bowman spoke to the significance of the award and why Meacham is a deserving recipient.

"Taylor won the award that I think is most prominent because it is the reason every athlete is at SUNY Cobleskill, to earn a degree. She has exceeded every expectation and definition of what it means to be a student-athlete. She is beginning to grow her resume and never turns down any opportunity SUNY Cobleskill has offered; she is going to go on and do incredible things because of this."