Emory's Lorne McManigle Nominated for the Honda Division III Athlete of the Year Award

Lorne McManigle, of the Emory University women's tennis team, has been nominated as a candidate for the 2008-09 Division III Athlete of the Year, to be presented at the Collegiate Women Sports Awards in June. 

McManigle was chosen as the Division III tennis representative, and will be one of 11 nominees selected, including Emory swimmer Liz Horvat.  Other nominees include Marie Borner of Bethel University (cross country), Liz Decima of Ohio Northern University (softball), Ashley Huston of Hardin-Simmons University (track and field), Hillary Klimowicz of the College of New Jersey (basketball), Susan Martin of Methodist University (golf), Lindsay McNamara of Bowdoin College (field hockey), Amanda Naeher of Messiah College (soccer), Jen Pritchard of Franklin and Marshall College (lacrosse) and Amber Thomas of Juniata College (volleyball).  Emory is the only school with two nominees for the award.

McManigle recently won the singles tournament at the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championships, becoming just the second Eagle to do so.  The sophomore finished the season with a 25-10 record in singles matches, including a 12-2 mark in tournament play.  McManigle also went 23-6 in doubles matches during the year, including 16-3 when paired with teammate Zahra Dawson.  In the fall, McManigle earned all-America honors in both singles and doubles by winning the Fall ITA Regionals.  She helped the Eagles to a 22-5 record and a third-place finish at the Division III team championships.

McManigle will try to join former Eagle Mary Ellen Gordon as an Athlete of the Year honoree.  Gordon, a fellow women's tennis player, won the award for her performance during the 2003-04 season.

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards has completed its 33rd year and recognizes the top woman collegiate athlete in each of 11 sports in Divisions III as nominees for the Division III Athlete of the Year.  Divisions III athletes are nominated by national coaches associations for each of the 11 sports:  basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field and volleyball.  The athletes are placed on ballots emailed to all Division III Senior Women Administrators in June every year and the Athlete of the Year is determined by the outcome of the voting.

The awards program is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and to celebrate these awards American Honda Motor Co., Inc. donates $1,000 to the women's athletic fund of each Honda Sports Award nominee's university and each Division III nominee's university.  The Division III winner's institutions receive $5,000 each.

A press conference will be held June 22, 2009 at Columbia University in New York City to announce and present The Divisions II and III Athletes of the Year along with the recipients of the Honda-Broderick Cup the Honda Inspiration Award.