(PHOTO: Ashley Kessner receives her Lions Club Scholar Athlete of the Year award from Lions Club President Brian Jackson and Lion Tommy Maloney.)

Rye High School senior Ashley Kessner was named the 2022-23 athlete of the year at the 25th annual Rye City Lions Club Scholar Athlete Luncheon on Thursday. The annual luncheon recognized nine student-athletes who earned athlete of the month honors before one of them was announced as the scholar athlete of the year. Student-athletes were joined by their families, coaches, RCSD administrative staff, and Lions Club members to celebrate.

Kessner was a star softball player at Rye for the past four years. She roamed center field for the Garnets, boasting impeccable defensive ability, finishing this past season with 10 outfield assists. At the plate, she led the team in runs batted in and home runs while having the second highest batting average.

“Ashley is the type of athlete that a coach dreams about,” Rye Varsity Softball head coach Alex Tejera said. “She is a player you wish you had thirty of every year. She is not only a terrific person, but she is also a great leader, a fierce competitor, kind, respectful, considerate, and a great teammate and absolute pleasure to coach.”

Kessner finishes her career with 78 hits, good for a career batting average north of .330. She posted these numbers in just three full seasons, as her freshman campaign was cut short by COVID-19. Kessner was a three-time All-League selection as a Garnet and was awarded with All-Section honors this past season. Tejera named her Co-MVP at season’s end.

“We had a very young team this year, and Ashley took all of these girls under her wing,” Tejera said. “It’s been a pleasure coaching her all these years.”

Other student-athletes recognized at the luncheon included Cassidy Pagen, Tommy Broderick, Lilly Whaling, Mackenzie Chimento, Cian Keegan, Dempsey Brown, Cate Doyle, and Dan Dalton. Each athlete’s respective coach spoke briefly, highlighting the great accomplishments and efforts of each individual.

“It’s so wonderful to meet in this setting all of the athletes and their coaches and to hear all of your stories which are so incredibly inspiring,” Rye Mayor Josh Cohn said. “As I think of all those stories of all your histories, I think of all your accomplishments. But not only your accomplishments, but what you’re giving to others — what you’re giving to your teammates, what you’re giving to younger kids who look up to you, what you give to the City of Rye as we follow your exploits.”