With a new executive board elected and team representatives selected, the Case Western Reserve University Association of Student-Athletes (CASA) has begun the task of helping to improve the experience of the student-athletes at the school during the 2026-27 academic year.

Leading the organization will be senior Maura Schorr of the women's basketball team, who will serve as President of CASA for the upcoming year. Schorr, who served as one of CASA's Social Co-Chairs last year, succeeds Matthew Bittel as President after his graduation in May.

"I am looking forward to some new programs and events for student-athletes that we are going to introduce this year that we think will strengthen connections between teams and give back to the community," said Schorr. "All of the student-athletes at CWRU work so hard in both the classroom and in their sport, and we want to be sure to support and celebrate them in every way we can."

Joining Schorr on the CASA Executive Board are Vice President Asma Khan (swimming & diving), Community Outreach Chair Anna Berry (swimming & diving), Wellness Chair Gabby Lee (tennis), Treasurer Mathew Gummere (wrestling), Social Media Chair Sam Schultz (swimming & diving), and Social Co-Chairs Lauren Ludwig (basketball), Katie Yanni (volleyball), and Kinzly Gootman (soccer).

"I am so excited about the group that will be leading CASA this year," said Schorr. "Everyone on our executive board cares so much about building up the student-athlete community and has some really great ideas on how to do so."

In addition to the Executive Board, 46 student-athletes will be serving as team representatives. The group includes Charlie Griffith, Jaxon Knutson, and Max Pinsky of the baseball team, Jay Greenberg, Jackson Griffiths, and Vinny Hack of the football team, Eli Catalano, Luke Levan, and Alex Vincent of the men's basketball team, Adam Esa and Jacob Porter of the men's cross country team, Amir Awais and Micah Rossen of the men's soccer team, Oliver Lazenby and Edgar Rutkauskas of the men's swimming & diving team, Xander Jhaveri of the men's tennis team, Luke Rabacs, Michael Seifu, and Paxton Zelik of the men's track & field team, Sophia Becker and Karen Potts of the softball team, Thea Beran, Elena Esquivel, Olivia Myers, and Sienna Olson of the volleyball team, Christen Banks of the women's basketball team, Aditi Mukundhan and Reid Smith of the women's cross country team, Emily Callanen, Hannah Ku, Rachel Mathew, Madeline Mescher, Angelee Rodriguez, Abby Welker, and Samantha Zhu of the women's soccer team, Leila Monahan and Sayjel Tan of the women's swimming & diving team, Yasemin Bilgin and Emma Thoms of the women's tennis team, Anna Callo, Rachel Dilling, and Esther Umezurike-Chukwu of the women's track & field team, and Christopher Bezzeg, Chase Crutchley, Alexander Goldman, and Anthony Levri of the wrestling team.

"There has been a lot more interest in joining the group this year than in past years, showing just how many people care about their fellow athletes and the community," said Schorr. "I am extremely excited about this year and wish all our athletes and teams the best in their seasons!"

The group will be tasked with continuing to fulfill the mission of CASA to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity for all student-athletes; protecting student-athlete welfare; and fostering a positive student-athlete image, while maintaining the tenets of the Division III philosophy.

CASA officially kicked off the year with its annual Welcome Back Bash on Sunday, August 30, with teams across the department congregating in Horsburgh Gymnasium.

More information on CASA and its endeavors will be posted to athletics.case.edu throughout the year. CASA can also be followed via its Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/cwru_casa/.