Abby Cheng was a California girl who chased her ambitions all the way to Arkansas. The lessons she learned from taking that leap during her junior and senior years of college have shaped the rest of her career and life, even coloring the advice she now imparts to her daughters.

The NCAA will honor 10 exemplary college athletes – the 2016 Today’s Top 10 Award winners – at the NCAA Convention in January. The award recognizes former student-athletes for their successes on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

D’Agostino credits her experience as a student-athlete for preparing her for a professional career as a runner, both on and off the track.

Battista, a member of the 2014 Division II national champion Bentley women’s basketball team, graduated summa cum laude and helped bring a Team IMPACT child to campus.

The swimmer won Olympic gold when she was a college student and has gone on to earn her degree. Up next? Law school and, perhaps, another medal.

Thomas was overlooked after high school, but became one of Division II’s top players. His hopes of a professional basketball career overseas were derailed by a rare heart condition.

Michmerhuizen graduated from Calvin College and now puts the lessons she learned as a student-athlete to use as she pursues her Ph.D. in pharmacology, hoping to one day find better treatments for people with diabetes.