2002 Woman of the Year
Finalists
Tanisha Silas, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, University of California, Davis.
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Academic achievement: 3.663 GPA. Major: neurobiology, physiology and behavior. Graduated June 2002. Department citations for academic excellence and honors thesis, 2002. Member of Golden Key National Honor Society, 2001. Arthur Ashe, Jr., National Sports Scholar Award recipient, 2000. Intercollegiate Athletics Honor Roll, 1998-2002. College of Letters and Science dean's list, 1998-02.
Athletics excellence: In indoor track - Second-team all-American, 2001. Fourth-team all-American, 2000. Highest team finish: tied for fourth in the NCAA championships, 2001. In outdoor track - First-team all-conference, 1999-01. Second-team all-American, 2000, and second-team all-conference, 2001. Highest team finish: fifth in NCAA championships, 2000, 2001; conference champions, 1999-02.
Service and leadership: Volunteered as Northern California Special Olympics clinic instructor. Served as a coordinator for the Davis Stampede Road Race and Shriner's Hospital Track Team. Was an intern in a pediatrics emergency room and in a geriatrics department. Worked with Peer Counselors in Athletics as a counselor and presenter. Team captain, 2001-02.Excerpt from personal statement: Athletics has given me essential life tools that could not be learned in a classroom - as well as the keys to achieve my dream. Medical school is my next relay; I am confident I will thrive here because of my experiences as a student-athlete. Someday, when I'm working as a family practitioner in an underserved community, I'll have one word of advice for other young girls: dream!
Hometown: Vallejo, California.
Angela Knopf, Volleyball, Colorado State University.
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Academic achievement: 3.67 GPA. Major: mathematics with an education concentration. Expected graduation December 2003. Dean's list honoree in mathematics, 1998-01. Second-team academic all-American, 2001. Third-team academic all-American, 2000. Mountain West Academic all-Conference, 1998-01. US West Dex Excellence in Education, 1999.
Athletics excellence: Member of the 2002 U.S.A. National Volleyball Team. Owns Colorado State records for hitting percentage (.424), service aces (137), total blocks (618) and block assists (535). First team all-American, 2000, 2001. First-team all-West Region, 2000, 2001. First-team all-Conference, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Most valuable conference player, 2000 and 2001, and member of conference all-tournament team, 2000 and 2001. National leader in hitting percentage (.456), 2001. Conference champions, 1998-01. NCAA Sweet Sixteen, 1999-01. Chosen team's most valuable player, 1999-00.
Service and leadership: University athletic tour guide. Read to students at a local elementary and participated in a prison ministry. Organized a service project at a local food bank. Tutored students in Intensive English program and volunteered as a speaker to middle and high schools, volleyball teams and area churches. Member of the campus student-advisory committee and Athletes in Action leadership team. Team court captain, 1999-01.
Excerpt from personal statement: Part of the balance of my life comes from community service which gives me my greatest sense of personal satisfaction. Athletic talent in itself is not enough for me. I have found that using all my gifts to influence someone's life in a positive way is worth the effort. Reading to a classroom full of small children, or speaking to eager volleyball teams about team dynamics and hard work gives me the opportunity to "connect" at a personal level.
Hometown: Troutdale, Oregon.
Katie Ryan, Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Boston College.
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Academic achievement: GPA: 3.6. Major: information systems and mathematics. Graduated cum laude May 2002. Dean's list, eight semesters. Chosen Aeropostale/Big East scholar-athlete, 2002. Verizon academic all-district first team, 2002. Boston College (BC) outstanding female scholar-athlete, 1999-01. BC Eagle of the Year, 2002. Gold Key National Honor Society, 2001. National Honor Society for Collegiate Scholars, 1999-present. NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship finalist. Pi Mu Epsilon National Honorary Mathematics Society, 2002.
Athletics excellence: First-team all-American and all-conference in cross country, both in 2000-01. Highest team finish: fourth in the NCAA cross country championship, 2000. Conference cross-country champions, 2000.
Service and leadership: Captain of cross country and indoor/outdoor track teams, 2000-02. Received the Lou Tessier Memorial Captains Award for women's track, 2001-02, and cross country, 2000-01. Received the BC leadership award for cross country, 2000. NCAA Division I all-American in cross country, 2000. Volunteered with the Chemung County Meals-On-Wheels. Tutored at the BC Neighborhood Center. Was a student-athlete advisory board pen pal.
Excerpt from personal statement: Cross country and track are unique sports since both individual fortitude and camaraderie among teammates play such a complementary role in achieving personal and group accomplishments. One important lesson I've learned is that working toward a common goal and capitalizing on every opportunity with your team exceeds all rewards from personal success alone.
Hometown: Elmira, New York.
Morgan Buckner, Volleyball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Ferris State University.
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Academic achievement: 3.69 GPA. Major: recreation leadership management and applied speech communication. Graduated with high distinction May 2002. First-team Verizon academic all-District IV, 2002. College division women's track and field team. Conference all-academic for volleyball and track and field. Seven-time dean's academic award recipient and two-time president's academic award recipient (in two sports combined). Conference all-academic team for both indoor and outdoor track and field, 2001-02.
Athletics excellence: First-team all-American (2002) and all-conference for the 60-meter hurdle (2001-02). Second-team all-conference for volleyball, 1999. Highest team finish: second in the conference volleyball championship, 1998, and second in the conference track championship, 2001. University's Helen Bennett Award winner for outstanding female student-athlete, 2001-02. Two-time conference indoor 55-meter hurdle champion, 2001-02, and three-time conference outdoor 100-meter hurdle champion, 2000-02. NCAA Division II Indoor all-American (8th place, 60-meter hurdles), 2002. Holds university's records for indoor 55-meter hurdle record (8.17) and outdoor 100-meter hurdle (14.48).
Service and leadership: Volunteered at a children's home and at area elementary schools. Volunteer guide at a wildlife center. Youth volleyball coach. Team captain for track and field, 2001-02, and volleyball, 2000.
Excerpt from personal statement: College athletics has helped me to become the person I am today. It was through long practices and grueling matches that I learned how to trust my abilities, my teammates, and myself. I have learned what it feels like to put everything on the line and have it taken from me, but I have also tasted the sweetness of accomplishing my dreams.
Hometown: Temperance, Michigan.
Sarah Moe, Ice Hockey, Gustavus Adolphus College.
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Academic achievement: 3.878 GPA. Major: psychology/criminal justice. Graduated magna cum laude June 2002. Phi Beta Kappa. Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honorary society). Psi Chi (psychology honor society). First-team Verizon academic all-American award, 2002.
Athletics excellence: JOFA/American Hockey Coaches' Association first-team all-American, 2002 and second-team all-American, 2001. First-team all-conference, 1999-02. Conference player of the year and NCAA Division III player of the year. Highest team finishes: third in the NCAA championships, 2002. Second in the American Women Coaches' Hockey Association championship, 2000 and 2001. Conference champions, 1999 and 2002.
Service and leadership: Member of the campus student-athlete advisory committee. Volunteered as student aid to juvenile delinquents at a learning center. Victim's advocate at a sexual assault services organization. Team captain, 2001-02. Dormitory representative to the student senate, 1998-99. Mentored young hockey players.
Excerpt from personal statement: From day one, my school stressed that I was to be a student first and then an athlete. This focus on academics allowed me to excel in the thing that I had come to school for, and through excelling in this area I was given the confidence to excel in athletics and to enjoy my social life.
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa/St. Peter, Minnesota.
Ann Marie Brooks, Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, University of Missouri, Columbia.
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Academic achievement: GPA: 4.0. Major: plant science. Graduated summa cum laude May 2002. Big 12 Post Graduate Scholarship award winner, 2002. NCAA Walter Byers Post Graduate Scholarship runner-up, 2002. Verizon at-large academic all-American, 2001. Gardeners of America national student recipient, 2001. Four-time USTCA academic all-American for indoor and outdoor track and field. Four-time GTE/Verizon District VII All-Academic First-Team. Eight-time Big 12 commissioner's honor roll. Ten-time all-academic first-team for cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. Gamma Sigma Delta senior of the year, 2002. Curator's scholar and Bright Flight scholar, 1997-2002.
Athletics excellence: Outdoor - Big 12 conference champion in the 5000-meter (2001),. NCAA champions in the indoor distance medley relay, 2001. All-American in the 1500-meter, 2001, and 5000-meter, 2002. All-conference, 1500-meter and 5000-meter, 2001-02. University record in the 1500-meter. Indoor - Big 12 conference champion in the 3000-meter, 2001 and 2002 and the distance medley relay, 2001. All-conference, 2000-02. Conference meet record and university record in the indoor distance medley relay, 2001. Cross country - Loyola Invitational champion, 2000.
Service and leadership: Volunteered with a council on aging. Member of the campus Mystical Seven Honor Society, a society of university leaders that discusses leadership principles and campus issues. Assisted handicapped children and adults in safely riding horses in a therapeutic program. Cross country and track team captain, 2001-02.
Excerpt from personal statement: Collegiate athletics, perhaps more than any other experience in my life so far, has helped me develop the tools I will need to pursue a lifelong journey of growth and learning. Athletics has taught me to set goals, deal with obstacles and setbacks, and to savor the plateau. I believe that the qualities I have developed during college will help me achieve my aspirations to be a leader in a quickly changing world.
Hometown: St. Joseph, Missouri.
Jaimeeganleong "Jaimee" Soohoo Reynolds, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Cornell University.
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Academic achievement: 3.77 GPA. Major: agricultural and biological engineering. Graduated May 2002. University's Quill & Dagger Senior Honor Society (served as secretary). Dean's list, every semester. National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Cornell. American Strength and Conditioning Association all-American for academic, athletic and community service, 2001-02. Verizon academic all-American District I for volleyball, 2001. Verizon academic all-American at-large first-team for lacrosse, 2001. Verizon academic all-District I for lacrosse, 2001-02. Ivy League academic honors team for lacrosse, 2001-02. Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, university chapter.
Athletics excellence: Lacrosse: Candidate for the 2002 Tewaarton Trophy for the lacrosse national player of the year. Finalist for the 2002 Honda Women's Lacrosse Athlete of the Year. Ivy League player of the year, 2002. NCAA all-tournament team, 2002. Four-time first-team IWLCA all-North Region selection. Four-time Jane Lee Best all-around player (chosen by teammates). University record holder in goals (144), points (204), ground balls (275) and draw controls (141). Helped lead program to winningest four-year period in school history (49-16) and the program's first two NCAA tournament appearances (2001 and 2002), including Cornell's first visit to the Final Four (2002). Volleyball: Ranks eighth on university's career assist list (1,036). Ended senior season in the top 10 in the Ivy League in assists (third, 10.88) and service aces (tenth, 0.34).
Service and leadership: Volunteered as student-athlete tutor and for Habitat for Humanity.
Excerpt from personal statement: "Motivation determines what you do - Attitude determines how well you do it." This is written on my teammate's locker, and it says so much. There are different motivations for everything you do, and everyone has their own priorities. Mine happen to be family, academics and athletics.
Shannon Bowles, Gymnastics, University of Utah.
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Academic achievements: 3.83 GPA. Major: psychology and exercise and sports science. Graduated cum laude May 2002. NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, 2002. Verizon/CoSIDA academic all-American, 2002. Mountain West female scholar-athlete of the year, 2002. NCAA Top VIII award nominee, 2002. Named the James "Bud" Jack Scholar-Athlete winner for the graduating female athlete with the highest cumulative GPA, 2002. Received Dahl award to honor the gymnast who most distinguishes herself academically and athletically, 1998, 2002. National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches scholastic all-American, 1998-02. Dean's list and athletics director's honor roll, 1998-02.
Athletics excellence: Led Utah to the NCAA championships in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002. North Central Region gymnast of the year, 2002. First-team all-American in floor exercise, 2002; all-around, 1998, 2002; balance beam, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002; and uneven bars, 1998. At NCAA regionals: floor exercise champion, 2001; balance beam champion, 1999; and second on balance beam, 2002. Midwest region all-around runner-up, 1998. Led team to regional title, 1998, 2001, 2002.
Service and leadership: Volunteered at a rape recovery center and as a motivational speaker at a local elementary school. Visited with the elderly and helped at a mother-daughter luncheon for the National Adoption Exchange. Coached at youth gymnastics summer camps, 1998, 2001.
Excerpt from personal statement: The discipline necessary to balance academics, collegiate athletics, leadership and community service is also the stabilizing force that makes it happen. Each of these areas is equally important and rewarding in the overall collegiate adventure.
Hometown: Lee, New Hampshire.
Alison Connolly, Lacrosse, Soccer, Middlebury College.
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Academic achievement: 3.89 GPA. Major: economics. Graduated sum cum laude May 2002. Lacrosse: IWLCA academic all-American, 2000-02. Soccer: Academic all-conference, 2000-02. Academic all-conference, 2001. Phi Beta Kappa. College scholar (highest distinction) all semesters. Received the Christian A. Johnson Prize in Economics, the Harry M. Fife Memorial Award and the Hazeltine-Klevenow Memorial Trophy, 2002.
Athletics excellence: Lacrosse: First-team Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) regional all-American, 1999-02. First-team all-conference, 2000-02. IWLCA all-American, 2000. NCAA all-tournament team, 2002. North-South all-star, 2002. Inside Lacrosse defender of the year. College coaches' award, 1999, and leadership award, 2001. Highest team finish: national champions, 1999, 2001, 2002. Conference champions, 2001, 2002. Soccer: first-team all-conference, 1999-00. Highest team finish: played in the NCAA quarterfinals, 2000. Conference champions, 2000.
Service and leadership: Member of the campus student-athlete advisory committee. Organized and coached weekly sessions at a learn-to-skate program. Ran sailing programs for children. Organized, planned and coached at a soccer clinic and coached at a lacrosse clinic, both for youth. Team captain for soccer, 1999-00; for lacrosse, 2001-02.
Excerpt from personal statement: In athletics everything is intensified: the joys are higher, the work is harder, the jokes are funnier, the disappointments are greater, the friendships are deeper, and the memories more vivid. Athletics has been the perfect arena for me to learn to balance my life, pursue my dreams, understand others, and push myself.
Anna Mickelson, Rowing, University of Washington.
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Academic achievement: 3.63 GPA. Major: communications. Graduated June 2002. All-Pacific-10 Conference academic first-team, 2000-01. Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association national scholar-athlete, West Region, 2000-02. U.S. Rowing collegiate honor roll first-team, 2001.
Athletics excellence: First-team all-conference, 2000-02. First-team all-American, 2000-01. Highest team finish: NCAA champions, 1999, 2001; second place, 2002. Conference champions, 1999-02. Fourth at the world championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, 2001.
Service and leadership: Student leader for Athletes in Action. Member of the campus student-athlete advisory committee. Co-leader of the Athletes in Action Bible study group. Participated in an adopt-a-family project. Team captain, 2001-02.
Excerpt from personal statement: My involvement with crew has defined my college experience and at times I have wanted to escape the pressure and fanatic schedule crunches. However, all this is despair is wiped away any time I think about my rowing friends around the country, the leadership roles I have been given, and the thrill of flying across the water.
Hometown: Bellevue, Washington.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
