NCAA conferences and independent schools have nominated 142 female student-athletes for the 2016 Woman of the Year Award. Stan State's Channing Wilson is one of two representatives from the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
These women, selected from a record 517 school nominees, represent college athletes from 17 different sports spanning all three NCAA divisions. Of those recognized, 54 nominees competed in Division I, 37 in Division II and 51 in Division III.
Cal State Dominguez Hills' Lindsey Armstrong is also a CCAA nominee for 2016. A conference can nominate a second candidate if one of them is a minority.
Wilson is the fifth Warrior to earn an NCAA Woman of the Year nomination. Karenee Demery (women's soccer) represented the CCAA in 2014. In 2011, Briana McClain (women's soccer) was a conference nomination and Jasimen Bailey (women's track & field) was a top 30 finalist in 2009. Verena Preikschas (women's tennis, a non-CCAA sport) was an independent nominee and a top nine finalist in 2012.
"Channing is an exceptional young lady who is very deserving of this award. She not only has excelled in the classroom and on the field, but has proven to be a positive leader and role model for her peers and members of the community," said Kim Duyst, Stanislaus State Associate Athletics Director.
Wilson's accolades athletically and academically has earned her this opportunity to receive the highest achievement award by the NCAA. Wilson recently received an NCAA postgraduate scholarship and was named Stanislaus State's Female Athlete and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also earned a co-CCAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and was a CoSIDA Academic All-America second team winner.
On the field of competition, Wilson three-peat as CCAA champion in javelin and brought home two All-American trophies in javelin and hammer throw. She also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
Wilson helped organized the 100 Citizens program, a fitness effort the University has undertaken with the City of Turlock Parks and Recreation Department. The program brings free fitness sessions for residents of all ages to a local park. Her other community service projects in recent years included volunteering at Emanuel Medical Center, Emanual Rehabilitation Center and the Sonoma Medical Therapy Unit.
The Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will now choose the top 30 honorees – 10 from each division.
From the top 30, the selection committee determines the top three honorees from each division and announces the nine finalists in September. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then chooses from among those nine to determine the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year.
The top 30 honorees will be celebrated and the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced at the annual award ceremony Oct. 16 in Indianapolis.
The NCAA Woman of the Year program has recognized graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership since its inception in 1991.
To view the list of conference Woman of the Year nominees, click here.
Channing Wilson's 2015-16 Accolades
CCAA Champion in Javelin (third time)
Set and broke own school record in javelin throw
All-CCAA First Team
USTFCCCA All-Region Team
Stanislaus State Female Athlete of the Year
NCAA All-American (third time)
U.S. Olympic Team Trial qualifier
American Kinesiology Association Undergraudate Scholar
Stanislaus State Presidential Scholar-Athlete
CCAA All-Academic Team
Stanislaus State Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Co-CCAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team
CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team
NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient
NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee
