Washington University Engineering

Biomedical engineering alumna named NCAA Woman of the Year

10/15/2012

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2012 Washington University in St. Louis graduate Elizabeth Phillips, Homer Glen, Ill. (Lockport) was named the 2012 NCAA Woman of the Year, as announced at a ceremony on Sunday in Indianapolis.

Phillips is the third NCAA Division III student-athlete to win the award, joining Ashley Jo Rowatt of Kenyon College (2003) and Laura Barito of Stevens Institute of Technology (2011).

“Winning Woman of the Year was really exciting! I was so surprised when my name was read,” said Phillips. “It is exciting to put Washington University on the map in that way and to represent Division III. Honestly, over the past two days it has been great to meet all of these amazing women. To even be amongst them is such an honor.”

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 were recognized 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 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.