Senior women's lacrosse standout Rylie Cole has been named as the 2020-21 University of Mary Washington Female Athlete of the Year. Due to the COVID-19 virus, winners were selected this year from the senior class, and based on their four-year careers. 

Cole, an education and psychology double major, was a four-year starter and gained first team all-conference honors every season, as well as all-region and all-state honors twice. In her 60 game career, she started 59 games at the defender position, and accumulated 97 ground balls, 152 draw controls (sixth all-time at UMW), and 54 caused turnovers. She served as team captain in 2021.

"Rylie has had an incredible career" said her head coach, Maddie Taghon. "She does a tremendous job for us and stands out to any one spectating. She is incredibly consistent and a true competitor. Her defensive IQ and speed allow her to time and time again stop big offensive moments. She is consistently a force in every game, our hardest working athlete, and very deserving of this award."

The Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards have been presented every year at the school since 2013.