Riley Wetmore, a junior from Swanton, Vt., received the David Boutin Award while Lindsi Panarelli, a senior from Shrewsbury, Mass., was named the recipient of the Laurie Mann Award Tuesday night at UMass Lowell's Excellence Awards Banquet at the Costello Athletic Center.

Wetmore and Panarelli received the awards based on their excellence and leadership in their sports and academics, as well as their volunteer efforts and service to the University and City of Lowell communities.

A four-year starting catcher on the softball team, Panarelli has carried a 3.34 cumulative grade point average and is involved in many volunteer efforts and causes. She helped lead the softball team to a 34-18 record – tying the school record for single season wins – and to the NCAA Tournament East Region semifinal last week.

Wetmore was a part of the hockey team's spectacular season which saw them finish tied for second place in Hockey East and advance to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal. He carries a 2.81 cumulative average and has been a part of each of the hockey team's volunteer initiatives.

The awards are named after Laurie Mann, a member of the UMass Lowell women's basketball team from 1993-95, who passed away in 1998 after a long battle with cancer; and David J. Boutin, a member of the baseball team from 1988-90 who also lost his life to cancer.
 
 
Riley Wetmore (Ice Hockey)
 
A captain this season, Wetmore helped spearhead the hockey team's revival in which it posted a record of 24-13-1 overall and a 17-9-1 clip in Hockey East, up from last year's 5-25-4/4-21-2 season.

He emerged the team's leading scorer with 14 goals and 25 assists (39 points), none bigger than his two goals – including the game-winner in overtime – in the 4-3 triumph over Miami in the NCAA Tournament first round.

Though UMass Lowell suffered a 4-2 loss to Union in the quarterfinal round, Wetmore was named to the East Region All-Tournament Team.

Wetmore was among Hockey East leaders in three categories, including shorthanded points (tied for seventh, 3), points (tied for 10^th) and assists (tied for 10^th). He compiled 14 multi-point games this season.

"Riley is someone who has tremendous character,” said head coach Norm Bazin. “He is a leader who continues to put the team first in everything he does. He will continue to garner individual success through his team-first approach.”

A business management major, Wetmore has been an exemplary student-athlete and takes part in each of the hockey team's community service endeavors. Through Team Impact, the hockey team “drafted” local eight-year-old Dracut native Nick DeFelice on to the team, a neuroblastoma survivor with whom Wetmore has spent many of his off days.

Additionally, Wetmore is a regular whenever the hockey team is summoned to local elementary schools for reading hours. He has also given his time to visit and personally thank the program's many sponsors for their support.

Wetmore is the son of Kim Barkyoumb of Queensbury, N.Y., and Rick Wetmore of Portsmouth, N.H.
 
Lindsi Panarelli (Softball)
 
The backstop for the softball team for four years, Lindsi Panarelli helped lead the River Hawks to a benchmark season which saw them go 34-18 and advance to the NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal round for the first time since 2007.

For the season, Panarelli batted .216 with 26 walks, 24 RBI, 23 runs and five home runs. Last season, she was named to the Northeast-10 All-Conference Third Team, and will graduate among the program's all-time leaders in home runs (third, 20) and RBI (12^th, 80).

Following a freshman year in which the softball team went 10-31-1, Panarelli has been a pivotal part of UMass Lowell's 91-65 record over the past three years, including 34-win seasons the last two years.

But it is, perhaps, what she does outside of softball that is most impressive. Through Team Impact, the softball team “drafted” six-year-old Chelmsford native Sicilia Campbell, a survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, last fall with whom Panarelli has become very involved.

Additionally, Panarelli has helped spearhead the team's 'Trick or Canning' effort, a Halloween-like collection of non-perishable food items for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.

“Lindsi's quality of character off the charts,” said head coach Sean Cotter. “She is the most respected player on our team by her peers and staff. I believe she will be a great nurse because of both her personal toughness and compassion for others.”

Panarelli is also active within the University's College of Nursing, serving as a volunteer on the pediatric wing at Lowell General Hospital. She also volunteered her time at the 2011 Tyngsborough Trot 5K road race educating people on the importance of the influenza vaccination; and has spoken at local high schools advocating better health education programs.

A 2008 graduate of Shrewsbury H.S., Panarelli is the daughter of Anthony and Carolyn Panarelli of Shrewsbury, Mass.