Groves Named Finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year
Aug 24, 2009 | Track & Field
IRVING, Texas -- The Big 12 Conference announced Friday evening that Loren Groves (Kansas State) and Yolanda Odenyo (Oklahoma State) have been selected as two of the 10 Division I honorees for the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year award that will be presented in October.
The Big 12 was the only Division I conference with two finalists.
Groves, a former K-State thrower, was a four-time All American, a three-time Big 12 Indoor Champion and owns a Big 12 outdoor title in the hammer throw. She also competed in the NCAA Track and Field Championships five times.
Odenyo, a former OSU midfielder, was a three-time All-American. She helped Oklahoma State to a 2008 regular season Big 12 title and three NCAA Tournaments appearances.
The NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors senior women student-athletes who have excelled in the areas of academic achievement, athletics, service and leadership. Nine finalists, three from each division, will be chosen from the top 30 next month. The national winner will be determined by the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics.
The recipient of the 19th annual award will be announced during the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year awards dinner on Oct. 18 in Indianapolis.
2009 NCAA Woman of the Year Finalists
Division I
| Name | Institution | Sport(s) |
| Ladia Albertson-Junkans | Minnesota | Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field |
| Amanda Blumenherst | Duke | Golf |
| Ashleigh Clare-Kearney | LSU | Gymnastics |
| Loren Groves | Kansas State | Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field |
| Laura Hermanson | North Dakota State | Soccer, Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field |
| Jennifer Kleinhans | Connecticut | Field Hockey |
| Lacey Nymeyer | Arizona | Swimming |
| Yolanda Odenyo | Oklahoma State | Soccer |
| Julie Rubenstein | Pepperdine | Volleyball |
| Eleanor Waite | Rice | Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field |
