COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland lacrosse student-athletes
Emily Sterling and
Ajax Zappitello were named the University of Maryland's 2024 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients on Wednesday.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference's most exclusive award and was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had "attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work." Big Ten schools currently feature almost 10,000 student-athletes, but only 28 earn this prestigious award on an annual basis. In the 100 years of the Medal of Honor, more than 1,500 students have earned this distinction.
Sterling has cemented her name in Maryland history as one of best to play in the cage. Sterling was most recently named a Tewaaraton Nominee for her performance in the 2024 season. She has tallied 160 saves with a .526 save percentage, the fourth-best rate in the nation. Sterling is a critical member of the Maryland defensive unit that owns the second-best scoring defense in the conference.
The Bel, Air, Maryland native has earned countless All-American and conference honors throughout her storied career, including the IWLCA National Goaltender of the Year and a Honda Award Finalist in 2022, as well as a two-time selection as Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year. She is on pace to receive another All-American recognition at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign. She sits third all-time in program history in career saves with 657.
Sterling excels in the classroom and will leave Maryland with a bachelor's degree in Public Health Science and a Master's in Healthcare Management. As a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, she consistently shows up in the classroom and on the field.
Zappitello, a three-year starter for one of the nation's top defenses, has had his best year in the 2024 campaign. The Portland, OR native has helped the seventh-seeded Terrapins into the NCAA Tournament as the team leader in caused turnovers (20) and second in groundballs (28). With a reputation as arguably the top close defenseman in the game, he also has two goals this season.
A two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Zappitello was named the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on April 24, making it four straight years that a Terp has taken home the prestigious award. Zappitello, whose 68 career caused turnovers are good for a tie for tenth in program history, is also a two-time All-American who is on track for a third All-America distinction at the end of this season.
On Tuesday, May 7, Zappitello was drafted No. X overall in the 2024 PLL Draft.
A key member of the Terps' 2022 undefeated National Championship team, Zappitello is a Business Management major who has excelled academically all four years in College Park. He interned with Maryland Athletics in the summer of 2023, gaining experience across different sectors of college athletics.
The Big Ten, the nation's oldest collegiate conference, is commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2024.
