As classes moved online, in-person Commencement was postponed until 2021 and spring sports were axed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, graduating student-athletes saw an unlikely end to their college careers.
The NCAA granted spring student-athletes another year of eligibility, meaning some players who were set to graduate this year are considering returning for the 2021 season and others are choosing to move on. With the 2019-20 season in the rearview mirror, here is a recap of standout senior student-athletes who wore the Buff and Blue for the final time this season:
Alexandra Maund: Women’s basketball
File Photo by Donna Armstrong | Senior Staff Photographer
The Colonials suffered a steep drop-off after their championship run in 2018, turning in a 10-win season the following year. Maund, a forward, was an instrumental figure in returning the squad’s climb back to the top, helping the Colonials improve to a 14-16 record this season.
Maund was the most potent source of offensive production for the Colonials, scoring 278 points on the season, averaging 11.1 per game and shooting at a 50.4 percent clip. In her single season at GW, she placed in the top 25 of Atlantic 10 players in scoring and blocks.
Armel Potter: Men’s basketball
File Photo by Eric Lee | Staff Photographer
Potter’s career spanned a period of turnover and transition for men’s basketball. Through injuries, coaching changes and rebuilding years, Potter provided consistent production and served as a key connecting piece for the overall offense.
The guard transferred to GW after spending two years at Charleston Southern. Potter spent a solid first season with the Colonials, averaging six points per game. But he blossomed under new head coach Jamion Christian, putting up 14.7 points and 5.8 assists per game. In his final season, Potter ran point, starting in 28 games, leading the team in assists (161) and joining the 1,000-point club.
Megan McCormick: Women’s soccer
File Photo by Grace Hromin | Assistant Photo Editor
McCormick’s defensive prowess helped create one of the most formidable backlines in the A-10. After redshirting her freshman year, McCormick started every game during the 2016 season and contributed to an A-10 best 0.77 goals allowed per game. In her redshirt sophomore season, her key defense led the Colonials to post 10 shutouts.
In her final season with the Colonials, McCormick’s offensive skills further developed to match her defense. She netted a career-high five scores and secured 1.04 goals allowed per game. Her contributions helped GW return to the A-10 Championship finals for the first time in more than two decades.
Andrew Mavis: Men’s water polo
File Photo by Connor Witschonke | Staff Photographer
Mavis’ four years in the pool for the Colonials were some of the program’s most exciting. The three-time conference All-American helped secure two Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Water Polo Conference championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
After losing to Bucknell in the MAWPC finals during his freshman season, Mavis helped redeem GW the following year, scoring the clinching goal in a comeback win over Fordham to finally capture the conference crown.
Mavis’ 279 career goals ranks No. 3 in program history and his 263 ejections drawn ranks first.
Engy Elmandouh: Women’s squash
File Photo by William Stricklett | Staff Photographer
Elmandouh headlined the roster throughout her four years with the Colonials, ranking fourth in program history with 48 career victories. She tallied eight wins in her debut season in 2016, then averaged 12.6 wins over the next three years playing at the No. 2 spot on the ladder for the majority of her time at GW.
Serving as co-captain her junior and senior seasons, Elmandouh competed in the CSA Individual National Championships for four consecutive seasons. In her final season, she was recognized as the team MVP.
Moritz Fath: Men’s swimming and diving
Hatchet File Photo
The men’s swimming and diving program reached new heights during Fath’s tenure, earning three consecutive A-10 Championships and coming within 20 points of a fourth this season.
The senior rounded out a decorated college career by earning seven medals at his final conference championship, a performance that earned him Most Outstanding Performer honors for the second consecutive year. In 2019, Fath earned six gold medals at the A-10 finals and set four program records, including an A-10 conference record in the 500 free.
Fath was named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer in the 2017 A-10 Championships and helped GW claim its first conference title in program history.
