NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Arizona swimming standout and Olympic silver medalist Lacey Nymeyer has been chosen as the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year, edging out former Pittsburg State All-American cross country/track & field performer Venessa Lee and seven additional finalists for the award.

Nymeyer accepted the award - among the NCAA's most prestigious honors - during the 19th annual NCAA Woman of the Year event Sunday night in Indianapolis. The award honors female student-athletes who have completed their eligibility, demonstrated academic and athletics excellence, and engaged in community service and leadership opportunities.

In addition to Lee and Nymeyer, other finalists were Amanda Blumenherst (Duke, golf); Ashleigh Clare-Kearney (LSU, gymnastics); Julia Hopson (Fredonia State, track and field); Dani Huffman (Emory, volleyball); Tracy Menzel (Kenyon, swimming and diving); Ashley Puga (Northwest Nazarene, cross country/track and field); and Kathleen Tafler (Grand Valley State, soccer).

A committee of representatives from NCAA schools and conferences selected nine finalists - three from each division - from a pool of 30 honorees. Those individuals were identified from an initial pool of 132 conference and independent nominees from all three NCAA divisions and multiple sports. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics chose Nymeyer as the national winner.

Venessa Lee was an all-state athlete for Midway's cross country and track teams. She still holds six Midway track records. Venessa is currently a first year medical student at the University of Missouri.