Former Swimming All-American Ruth Westby One Of Nine Finalists For 2010 NCAA Woman Of the Year Award

Former Emory University swimming All-American Ruth Westby is one of nine finalists for the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

The Woman of the Year award honors female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service and leadership.

A committee of representatives from NCAA schools and conferences selected the top nine finalists from a pool of 30 honorees. Those individuals were identified from an initial pool of 452 conference and independent honorees representing all three NCAA divisions and multiple sports.

A five-time NCAA champion in the 50-meter freestyle in 2008, 200- and 800-meter freestyle relays in 2009, and 200- and 400-meter freestyle relays in 2010, Westby was a seven-time all-American in 2010 and was the most decorated swimmer in school history with 27 All-American certificates out of 28 possible events.  Westby was named to the dean's list four times and was twice selected a team captain. She received an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and volunteered for the Special Olympics. She was also a 100 Senior honoree, awarded by the Emory Alumni Association for up to 100 students in the senior class for being excellent models of citizenship and leadership.

The other Division III finalists are Hannah Baker of Wartburg College and Melissa Mackley of Gustavus Adolphus.

The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will select the national winner. The recipient of the 20th annual award will be announced during the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year awards event, to be held Oct. 17 in Indianapolis.

It marks the second straight year that Emory has had a finalist for the honor with former volleyball standout Dani Huffman earning that coveted distinction in 2009.

The nine finalists for the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year are as follows:

Division I
Lisa Koll, Iowa State University (Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field)
Brittany Rogers, University of Alabama (Softball)
Justine Schluntz, University of Arizona (Swimming & Diving)

Division II
Lyndsay McBride, University of Indianapolis (Golf)
Mary Slinger, Concordia University (Volleyball)
Natalja Stanski, Grand Valley State University (Soccer)

Division III
Ruth Westby, Emory University (Swimming & Diving)
Hannah Baker, Wartburg College (Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field)
Melissa Mackley, Gustavus Adolphus College (Ice Hockey)