Washington University in St. Louis 2012 graduate Elizabeth Phillips is among the top-nine student-athletes selected as finalists for the 2012 NCAA Woman of the Year award. The winner of the award will be announced on Oct. 14 during a ceremony in Indianapolis.

Phillips is the third NCAA Woman of the Year finalist in Washington University school history, joining Amy Albers (1994) and Julia Burdick (1992). The other eight finalists for the 2012 Woman of the Year award include: Hillary Bach (Arizona State University), Grace Collins (Barry University), Kate Griewisch (Lenoir-Rhyne University), Kelsey Kittleson (Luther College), Sarah Jane Otey (U.S. Coast Guard Academy), Brooke Pancake (University of Alabama), Alexi Pappas (Dartmouth University), and Verena Preikschas (California State University, Stanislaus).

This year’s finalists were selected based on academic achievement, athletics excellence and dedication to community service and leadership. Three women from each NCAA division were chosen as finalists. The nine finalists are among the 30 Woman of the Year honorees who will be honored during the Oct. 14 event. The pool of 30 emerged from a group of nearly 430 nominees, and includes 10 honorees from each NCAA division.

Phillips, who graduated in May with a degree in biomedical engineering and a 4.0 GPA, completed her career as one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history. She became the first-ever three-time NCAA Elite 88/89 Award winner in any NCAA division. In 2012, Phillips was named the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America of the Year Division III award winner for women’s track & field/cross country, making her the first track & field/cross country Academic All-America of the Year winner in Washington U. history. She also earned first-team Academic All-America honors in 2011 and 2012.

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