Recent graduates Jenae Gibbens of Cal State Fullerton and Katy Freeman of UC Santa Barbara have been nominated for the prestigious 19th annual NCAA Woman of the Year award.

The award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

Nominees represent all three divisions.  There are a total of 418 college and university division nominees for the award.

In order to be eligible for the award, female student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2009 spring season, graduated no later than the end of the summer 2009 term, and achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5.

Cal State Fullerton's Jenae Gibbens

Gibbens, a four-year defender on the Titans' women's soccer team, enjoyed a decorated career that saw her earn Soccer Buzz and National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-West Region honors in 2007 and 2008.  In addition, she was a two-time first team all-conference selection and the 2007 Big West Defensive Player of the Year.

In the classroom, Gibbens excelled in the majors of business and marketing, earning ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team honors in 2008 and Third Team laurels in 2007.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal State Fullerton in May.  She is a three-time member of the Big West All-Academic Team.

Outside of the classroom, Gibbens has participated in a number of community and extracurricular activities.  She currently serves as an assistant varsity and freshman soccer head coach at Esperanza High School and also is a volunteer assistant with the Cal State Fullerton women's team.  She has worked with the less fortunate, volunteering with the San Diego Center for the Blind over the course of the past 15 years.  With that organization, she helped run fundraisers and community service projects to aid those with vision loss.  Gibbens also has devoted a significant amount of time with Zonta International, an organization committed to advancing the status of women and children worldwide.

"All of these experiences have helped to shape my determination on the field and in the classroom as well as my decision to give back to my community through a helping profession," said Gibbens.

UC Santa Barbara's Katy Freeman

Freeman was a four-year standout performer for the UC Santa Barbara women's swimming and diving team, serving as the team captain the last two seasons.  She excelled in the pool for the Gauchos in a career that culminated with her becoming a 2009 NCAA All-American in the 200 breaststroke.  She finished 8th in the 200 breast at the NCAA Championship.  This followed a performance at the 2008 NCAA meet in which she earned Honorable Mention All-American recognition for an 11th place finish in the 200 breast.  Freeman also competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 breast.

As a sociocultural linguistics major, Freeman was a 2008 and 2009 NCAA Division I Academic All-American.  She captured the 2008 and 2009 Golden Eagle Ring Award for the highest grade point average among UCSB student-athletes.  She also was a three-time Big West All-Academic Team member.  Freeman has been selected to participate in the Teach for America program in south Louisiana starting next fall.

Freeman's involvement with the community includes being a swim instructor with the Special Olympics organization from 2006-09.  She also has participated with Momentum for Life as a triathlon swim instructor and with the Swim Against Malaria project.

"The lessons that I have learned as a scholar-athlete reach far beyond the pool or classroom.  Most importantly, I have learned how far persistence and dedication can take you and what it means to hold yourself accountable," said Freeman.

The top 10 honorees per division will be announced in August, followed by the top 3 honorees per division in September.  The top 10 honorees and the nine finalists from Divisions I, II and III will be honored and the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced at a dinner in Indianapolis on October 18.