Boston, Mass. – The America East Conference announced today that UMBC's Marie Abongwa (Women's Track & Field) and Josh Odunowo (Men's Basketball) have been nominated for the prestigious America East Man and Woman of the Year awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, service, and leadership among student-athletes.

Abongwa will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. UMBC's all-time record holder in the outdoor hammer throw captured the bronze medal in the shot put at the 2026 America East Outdoor Championships and also finished fourth in the hammer throw. She earned the Most Outstanding Field Performer honor at the 2025 America East Indoor Championships by winning the shot put and placing third in the hammer throw. The Bowie, Maryland product stays active outside of her sport, volunteering as a throws coach and mentor at a local high school and serving as a research assistant at a Psychiatric Research Center.

Odunowo will receive a master's in professional studies this spring after earning his BA in sociology from Columbia University in Fall 2024. A Laurel, Maryland native, he helped lead the Retrievers to the America East Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth this season, averaging 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 53% from the floor. In addition, he was named to the America East All-Defensive Team. At UMBC, Odunowo supported student-athletes and community engagement through Heart and Hand, Parks and People, and Civitan.

The three finalists for each gender will be announced on Tuesday, May 26, and the winners on June 2.