By Mitch Silver

Hannah Mullaly, captain and All-League defensive star of Rye High’s Sectional Championship Basketball team this winter, was elected Athlete of the Year in a vote of over 400 Rye High students. Lions President Chris Shoemaker made the announcement Monday night at the club’s annual year-end dinner at The Osborn.

The three-sport athlete, who was named Lions Club Athlete of the Month for March, was also captain of the RHS Varsity Softball team and a key player for Coach Rich Savage’s Soccer team. Hannah’s prowess in both athletics and academics (she graduates with a 97 GPA) will be a good fit at the University of Michigan where she is headed in the fall.

Winning the honor was no easy feat. She had to beat out the other monthly Lions Club winners, all athletes chosen for their excellence in the classroom and their service to school and community: Owen Hull, football (September); Hannah Friedrich, soccer (October); Cayla Brown, volleyball (November); Max Samberg, basketball (December); Caroline Baldwin, squash (January); Brendan Egan, swimming (February); Margaret Mitchell, lacrosse (April); and Peter Chabot, lacrosse (May).

Last summer, Hannah flew to South Africa and helped build a school and playground for preschoolers. In previous summers she was a Rye Youth Soccer referee and a Rye Rec counselor and softball umpire.

A National Honor Society member, Hannah’s AP course load includes World and U.S. History, Government and Comparative Politics, Language, Literature and Composition, Calculus A&B, and Psychology. She plays string bass and has performed in the All-Westchester Orchestra.

On the hardwood, she’s been a mentor to the young talents that have helped make Coach Dennis Hurlie’s team so formidable.

“Hannah is most deserving of the Athlete of the Year honor,” said her coach. “As a three-sport athlete, she’s one of a dying breed; it’s great to see those who perform from August to June be honored for all that hard work.”

At the end of the evening June 4, County Executive George Latimer presented the winner with a proclamation announcing, “Hannah Mullaly Day.”

Hannah and the other outstanding student-athletes then presented a check for $500 on their behalf to Jennifer Podoll, Chief Development Officer of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Hannah with her basketball coach, Dennis Hurlie

County Executive George Latimer proclaims Hannah Mullaly Day.

Hannah Mullaly, left, with the other monthly Lions Club athletes at The Osborn dinner June 4.