Four Cadets Tabbed CEP Athletes of March

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Tyrese Bender and Hannah Blakey of Army West Point track & field, Maddie Burns of women's lacrosse and Bennett Taylor of men's lacrosse were all named the Corps Squad Athletes of the Month for March.

TYRESE BENDER
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Major: Engineering Management
Sport: Men's Track & Field
Year: 2021

HIGHLIGHTS

Bender is an Engineering Management major with a grade-point average last term of 4.016 (currently ranked 25 in the class of 2021).
He wears both the star (3.67+ academic GPA for 2+ consecutive semesters) and the wreath (top 15% of his graduating class) on his uniform.
He has a cumulative GPA (academic, military and physical courses combined) of 3.985, reflecting excellence in all the pillars. He recently received the Master of the Sword Award from DPE.
The San Antonio, Texas, native was on the Academic All Patriot League Team in 2019.
His 3.45 military program score reflects outstanding leadership and dedication to his military duties.
At the Army-Navy Star Meet, he was the individual champion in the triple jump during the 2019 outdoor season.
Played a pivotal part in the program's 2019 Patriot League Indoor Championship team title.
He was an NCAA Championship East regional qualifier in the triple jump for Outdoor Track & Field during the 2019 campaign.
Bender currently serves as a team captain.

COACH SMITH COMMENTS
"Tyrese is one of our most consistent athletic performers and is a leader for us both on and off the track," head coach Mike Smith said. "His academic and military performance mirrors his pursuit of athletic excellence and is reflective of the commitment that he has made to be successful in all pillars at the Academy. He embodies the ideals of the student-athlete and I am proud of all his accomplishments"

HANNAH BLAKEY
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Major: Foreign Language
Sport: Women's Track & Field
Year: 2022

HIGHLIGHTS

Blakey carries 4.20 cumulative GPA.
She currently holds a 4.33 GPA within her major courses as a Foreign Language (Persian and French) major.
She is a well-rounded cadet with a cumulative GPA (academic, military and physical courses combined) of 4.16, reflecting excellence in physical and military pillars as well.
Overall, she is ranked third in her class of 1,123 cadets
Blakey is one of the Academy record holders on the Indoor Track and Field 4x400m relay team, with a time of 3:46.60.
She also is a Patriot League scorer for Indoor Track and Field, running the 400m and 4x400m relay.
She is a strong contributor to 4x400 outdoor relay team as well, setting a mark of 3:51.27 at the Long Beach Opener.

COACH SMITH COMMENTS
"Hannah is a relative newcomer to collegiate track and field," Smith said. "She only recently joined our team after we discovered that she was at the academy. She is a remarkable young woman and we are lucky to have her on our roster. In only her first season with us she was a key part of our successful team performances and ran a leg on the school record 4x400m relay team erasing a mark that had stood since 2013. Her academic success is an indication of not only her aptitude but her work ethic. We have seen the same drive and discipline at practice, and it has translated to early success. She is a bright and shining star at the academy."

MADDIE BURNS
Hometown: Ridgefield, Conn.
Major: Psychology
Sport: Women's Lacrosse
Year: 2020

HIGHLIGHTS

In the classroom, Burns has excelled with a 3.246 cumulative grade-point average as a Psychology major.
She received the 2019 Superintendent Award for Excellence, representing the top 5% in her class based on the CAS.
Additionally, she was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll each of the last two years.
Burns is a leader in the Corps and a member of Company H-4. She has a military cumulative GPA of a 3.679 and a physical score of a 3.446.
The Ridgefield, Conn., native holds a leadership position as a regimental sergeant major.
She is a starting goalie for the women's lacrosse team and is a two-time team captain.
Burns has started 55 games for the Black Knights during her four years with the program while making 390 saves.
She earned All Patriot League Second Team and was named Patriot League Tournament Team recognition following the 2019 season before receiving Preseason All-Patriot League Team praise as a senior.

BENNETT TAYLOR
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Major: Engineering Psychology
Sport: Men's Lacrosse
Year: 2020

HIGHLIGHTS

Taylor has earned Dean's List status every semester of his academic career, and currently carries a 3.544 cumulative GPA.
He has found similar success in other pillars, with a 3.348 physical score, and a military score just under 3.0.
On the field, Taylor played in all 18 games for Army during the 2019 season, after playing in more limited roles his first two seasons.
He played a key role on the man down defensive unit, which held opponents scoreless in 70 percent of their opportunities.
As a team, Army recorded the most wins in program history in 2019, with thirteen victories. The season saw the Black Knights return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010, falling to No. 2 Penn.
In the abbreviated 2020 season, Taylor accumulated 18 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers, and one faceoff win in the team's eight games.

COACH ALBERICI COMMENTS
"Bennett is a tremendous role model for our younger players" Head Coach Joe Alberici said. "He has worked hard to get the most out of his talents in the classroom and on the field. In addition, he is a terrific teammate always willing to assist others in all areas of their lives."

Army West Point Athletics

Four Cadets Tabbed CEP Athletes of March

Related News

Players Mentioned

Tyrese Bender

Hannah Blakey

Maddie Burns

Bennett Taylor

Related Videos