Liz Wanless ’04 of Belleville, Ill., recently earned NCAA Woman of the Year honors for the state of Maine, the third Bates graduate in the last five years to earn the all-division honor. Wanless was an All-America volleyball player and two-time NCAA shot put champion. Previous Bates winners were Amanda Colby ’00 (volleyball) and Peggy Ficks ’01 (field hockey/softball).

Emily King and men’basketball coach Joe Reilly were both honored recently by the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. King, a hall inductee, holds six Bates women’s basketball records, including career points and rebounds, and led the team to an 83-18 record with four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Reilly was named the hall’s New England Division III Coach of the Year following the team’s 18–8 season in 2003–04, which tied the program record for wins. The Bobcats advanced to the NESCAC semifinals for the first time in program history.

Head women’s soccer coach Jim Murphy ’69 posted his 100th win in the second game of the 2004 fall season. Murphy, now in his 11th season as head coach, entered the season 98–54–7. The Bobcats have been one of the top teams in New England this fall and made their first appearance of the year in the national polls on Oct. 19, ranking 21st.