WASHINGTON – When the winner of the 2012 Tewaaraton Award was announced, Michelle Tumolo was the first person to stand up and cheer.

‘From Maryland, Katie Schwarzmann,’ presenter Richie Moran announced to a packed Rasmuson Theater at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Thursday night.

It wasn’t her name, but Tumolo was excited to see it go to a familiar face.

‘I’m so excited and happy for Katie Schwarzmann,’ Tumolo said. ‘She’s one of my very good friends and I couldn’t be happier.’

Tumolo was among five women’s finalists for the award, given to the top college lacrosse player in the country. Florida midfielder Brittany Dashiell, Northwestern defender Taylor Thornton and North Carolina attack Becky Lynch rounded out the group. The Syracuse junior attack helped the Orange reach the national championship game for the first time in program history and finished the season with 52 goals and 43 assists. Colgate attack Peter Baum was honored as the winner on the men’s side.

Despite her standout campaign, Tumolo didn’t go into the night with high expectations.

‘I’m actually not expecting to win – at all,’ Tumolo said before the ceremony. ‘But I mean if I do I would be really shocked and probably get up there and not know what to say. I’m just so happy to be here and really excited for everyone and whoever wins I’m just so happy for them.’

Syracuse head coach Gary Gait didn’t necessarily feel the same way.

While he was proud to see one of his players honored as a finalist, he said Tumolo was just as deserving as any of the five finalists to win.

‘You never know who’s going to win,’ Gait said. ‘It’s hard to predict. We were hoping she would, but Michelle and what she does, I think she’s the best player in the country.’

Schwarzmann can also be added to the list of Tumolo’s admirers.

The two played each other earlier this season when the Orange defeated Maryland 10-9 in College Park, Md. and are teammates on the U.S. national team. Schwarzmann knows firsthand how dynamic Tumolo is.

‘Michelle is a great player, and I know that from playing with her and it’s awesome being able to play with her,’ Schwarzmann said. ‘All the credit to her, she had a great season and so did Syracuse, so it’s awesome that we can all celebrate this accomplishment with each other.’

Even without actually winning the award, the Orange’s return to the Tewaaraton ceremony is another important step for the program.

In a season full of milestones for SU, even an individual honor is a reflection on the team.

‘It really does reflect on them because of how well we’ve done, you don’t get recognized for this award unless your team does well,’ Tumolo said. ‘They are the reason why I’m here today and Alyssa Murray and all the other girls are doing so well and they’re just as deserving.’

And for women’s lacrosse as a whole, four junior finalists means that next season could be more exciting than any other as the sport continues to grow.

‘Lacrosse is really starting to step up and become a bigger thing and it’s awesome that it’s spreading and becoming more known,’ Schwarzmann said.

So Tumolo still has another shot at the award. And with nearly every major contributor on offense, with the exception of Sarah Holden, returning next season, the core that Tumolo credits for her success remains almost entirely intact.

Schwarzmann too should be right back in the conversation, too. After being named a finalist in the past two seasons, she will enter the 2013 season as one of the nation’s best once again.

And that means that Tumolo can make the final chapter of the friendly rivalry with Schwarzmann hers.

‘She still has got another year, so I’ve got another year, too,’ Tumolo said. ‘… I play with her on the U.S. team, too, so it’s an awesome experience.’

dbwilson@syr.edu