NEW YORK – Four members of the No. 1 Maryland women's lacrosse team were named to the initial Tewaaraton Watch List, as announced by the Tewaaraton Foundation Tuesday evening.

Senior midfielder Taylor Cummings, the 2014 and 2015 recipient of the prestigious award, highlights the watch list. Sophomore Megan Whittle and senior defender Alice Mercer, who were named to the list last season, and junior midfielder Zoe Stukenberg were also selected.

The Terps have the most players named to the watch list. Each Terp named to the list was selected as a preseason All-American by Insida Lacrosse and was selected All-Big Ten last season.

One of the most decorated lacrosse athletes of all time, Cummings is a three-time First Team All-American and two-time IWLCA National Midfielder of the Year. Mercer was named a Second Team All-American in 2015 while Whittle was a Third Team All-American selection. Stukenberg was a Second Team All-Region member last season and the 2015 Elite 89 Award recipient.

Maryland has won five of the last six Tewaaraton Awards. Caitlyn McFadden captured the honor in 2010, while Katie Schwarzmann became the Terrapins' first two-time winner in 2012 and 2013.

The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation.

Players not named to the initial list have several opportunities to play their way into a spot as the season progresses. Watch list additions, if applicable, will be announced on March 17 and April 7. On April 28, the field will be narrowed to 25 men's and 25 women's nominees. Nominees can be players on the watch lists or players not on the watch lists, effectively allowing for a third round of additions.

Five men's and five women's finalists will be announced on May 12 and invited to the ceremony. The 16th annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., on June 2.

– Maryland –