33 Swimming & Diving Athletes Nominated For NCAA Woman of the Year

A total of 33 athletes from Swimming & Diving programs have been nominated for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Among the most notable names are Kesli WorrellCourtney Bartholomew and Faith Johnson. Worrell won NCAA (Div 1) titles in the 100 and 200 fly this season, while Bartholomew finished in the runner-up position in both the 100 and 200 back, and Johnson won a silver medal as part of Tennessee’s 200 free relay. The complete list of Swimming & Diving nominees are as follows:

  • Rachael Acker, University of California, Berkeley
  • Blake Balogh, Boise State University
  • Courtney Bartholomew, University of Virginia
  • Ellen Bradford, US Naval Academy
  • Bonnie Brandon, University of Arizona
  • Claire Brandt, Texas A&M University, College Station
  • Hayley Cardinal, Lawrence University
  • Patricia Castro-Ortega, Queens University of Charlotte
  • Melissa Dean, Pacific Lutheran University
  • Olivia Dilorati, Colorado College
  • Kelsey Gouge, Florida Southern College
  • Margaret Guo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Emily Hyde, Amherst College
  • Faith Johnson, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Emily Jordan, Notre Dame of Maryland University
  • Amanda Lucia, Wagner College
  • Rebecca Matthews, Lynn University
  • Kara McCormack, University of Miami (Florida)
  • Kirsten Nitz, Wheaton College (Illinois)
  • Whitney Paine, Bates College
  • Krysta Palmer, University of Nevada, Reno
  • Anna Partridge, Smith College
  • Madeleine Pesch, Grinnell College
  • Cathleen Pruden, Mount Holyoke College
  • Samantha Richart, University of Toledo
  • Melissa Ross, University of Richmond
  • Sarah Sheridan, Hope College
  • Clare Slagel, Luther College
  • Lauren Slayton, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
  • Amy Taylor, University of North Florida
  • Haley Townsend, Kenyon College
  • Lauren Wheeler, Austin College
  • Kelsi Worrell, University of Louisville

Each NCAA team can nominate one female student-athlete who has completed their eligibility. These nominations go to each team’s respective conference, who then reviews the nominees and submits their pick to the NCAA. The NCAA then narrows the list down to 30 (10 from each NCAA division), and then down to nine (3 from each division). The winner is announced at the annual NCAA Woman of the Year awards dinner in the fall.

The award is given based on criteria of academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership.

Two of the nominees, Hayley Cardinal and Rebecca Matthews are multi-sport athletes. Cardinal, who went to school at Lawrence University, competed in outdoor track & field along with swimming. Matthews, who attended Lynn University, also competed in cross country running.

Swimming & Diving athletes have won this award 11 times since it began in 1991, the most of any sport.

Past winners of the award:

2015
Kristin Day
Swimming and Diving
Clarion University
2014
Elizabeth Tucker
Soccer
University of Notre Dame
2013
Ifeatu Okafor
Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Texas Tech University
2012
Elizabeth Phillips
Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Washington University in St. Louis
2011
Laura Barito
Swimming and Diving, Outdoor Track and Field
Stevens Institute of Technology
2010
Justine Schluntz
Swimming and Diving
University of Arizona
2009
Lacey Nymeyer
Swimming and Diving
University of Arizona
2008
Nkolika Anosike
Basketball
University of Tennessee
2007
Whitney Myers
Swimming and Diving
University of Arizona
2006
Anne Bersagel
Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Wake Forest University
2005
Lauryn McCalley
Swimming and Diving
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2004
Kelly Albin
Lacrosse
University of California, Davis
2003
Ashley Jo Rowatt
Swimming and Diving
Kenyon College
2002
Tanisha Silas
Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
University of California, Davis
2001
Kimberly A. Black
Swimming and Diving
University of Georgia
2000
Kristy Kowal
Swimming and Diving
University of Georgia
1999
Jamila Demby
Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
University of California, Davis
1998
Peggy Boutilier
Lacrosse and Field Hockey
University of Virginia
1997
Lisa Ann Coole
Swimming and Diving
University of Georgia
1996
Billie Winsett Fletcher
Volleyball
University of Nebraska
1995
Rebecca Lobo
Basketball
University of Connecticut
1994
Tanya Hughes
Indoor and OutdoorTrack and Field
University of Arizona
1993
Nnenna Lynch
Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Villanova University
1992
Catherine Byrne
Swimming and Diving
University of Tennessee
1991
Mary Beth Riley
Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Canisius College

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About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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