Haddonfield. N.J. – The Atlantic East Conference announced the Medal of Inspiration award recipients on Monday afternoon, honoring Immaculata’s Ava McEntire and Marymount’s Renee Schmidt.
The Medal of Inspiration, an award created to honor individuals that battled through adversity to become stronger versions of themselves, was awarded to an individual who handled their battle with resilience and grace. More on the honor here.
Ava McEntire, Immaculata Women’s Swimming:
At just eight months old, Ava was diagnosed with right-sided hemiplegia caused by a stroke in utero. This form of cerebral palsy results in paralysis on the right side of her body and has required a lifelong commitment to physical and occupational therapy.
Beginning at the age of 10, Ava has endured numerous surgeries related to growth, injuries, spasticity, and dystonia. Despite these challenges, she has never allowed her disability to define or limit her potential. Instead, she has used swimming and athletics as a source of strength, empowerment, and motivation, continually pushing herself beyond expectations.
“Coaching Ava has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” said Josh Pace, Immaculata Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach. “Knowing everything she has overcome makes what she has accomplished even more remarkable. She never seeks sympathy or attention—she shows up every day, works incredibly hard, and brings an infectious positivity to our team. Ava has taught all of us that adversity doesn't have to limit your potential. She is a role model, an exceptional teammate, and an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to know her. This award couldn't be going to a more deserving person.”
A member of the Women’s Swimming Team, McEntire competed in the 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard free Style Relay, 100-yard breaststroke, and 400-yard freestyle Relay at the 2025-26 AEC Championships. She was a 2025 and 2026 Atlantic East All-Academic selection and made Dean’s list in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026. Furthermore, the Exton, Pa., native has been a Para Swim Coach for PCAS since the fall 2024, an advocate for inclusion in which she expanded opportunities for para-athletes within the collegiate and local swimming community. McEntire also serves as Co-Captain on the Immaculata Women’s Swimming Team, is on the Immaculata
Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and founded the Immaculata University Mighty Mac Para Swim Meet, alongside coaching staff and para swim club
“What sets Ava apart is the way she faces every challenge with courage, determination, and an incredibly positive attitude. While many people only see the accomplishments in the pool and in athletics, they do not see the countless hours of therapy, recovery, and hard work she has put in behind the scenes throughout her life,” said Immaculata Sports Information Director, Andrew Alvarez. Even after surgeries and setbacks, Ava continues to show up, work hard, and push herself to be the best version of herself. Ava never allows her diagnosis to define who she is or what she can accomplish. Instead, she uses her experiences to motivate herself and encourage those around her. She is a supportive teammate, a compassionate friend, and someone who leads by example through her perseverance and kindness. Her strength, humility, and ability to inspire others through the way she lives each day truly make her stand out as an exceptional student-athlete and person.”
Renee Schmidt, Marymount Women’s Tennis:
In 2020, Renee was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). EDS is a connective tissue disorder which causes cervical instability, brain stem compression, and partial paralysis. Renee was forced to leave school and was unable to play sports. Following her EDS diagnosis, Renee had surgery to fuse her skull to her spine. During this procedure, the surgeon removed part of her skull. Renee was bedridden for a month. After 3 months of intensive physical therapy, she began learning to walk again. In 2023, Renee had a metal plate inserted into the bottom of her spine to help with partial paralysis and pain. In the spring of 2026, Renee was granted eligibility (1-semester extension) by the NCAA. On Sunday, March 8th, Renee played her first NCAA women's singles and doubles match.
“Inspirational, tenacious, undeterred, incredible, and resilient. These are just a few words her teammates used to describe Renee Schmidt,” said Marymount’s Deputy Director of Athletics, Ellen O’Brien. “In 2024, Renee began participating in the Adaptive Tennis Program, also called Parastanding Tennis. In 2026, Renee was one of sixteen people in the world, and only one of two women in the United States, to participate in the Parastanding Tennis US Open Invitational, winning first place in Mixed Doubles.”
Schmidt was an All-Academic Team selection in 2026, along with making the Marymount University Dean’s List for all eight semesters. Additionally, she won the 2025-26 Marymount University Athletics Award for Resilience. This past season, Renee amassed two singles and four doubles wins including singles and doubles victories over conference foes Immaculata and Neumann, and was part of a Saint’s team that advanced to the AEC Women’s Tennis semifinals.
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The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising six institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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