McCormack Selected as a Finalist for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year Award
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami diver Kara McCormack was named one of nine finalists for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.The nine former college athletes selected will be honored at an awards dinner on Oct. 16 in Indianapolis. The 2016 Woman of the Year will be named at the event.
The finalists were chosen from 30 Woman of the Year honorees, who will be recognized during the dinner. This group of 30 includes 10 honorees from each NCAA division and represents a range of sports. Schools nominated 517 college athletes for the 2016 award.
“The University of Miami could not be more proud of Kara on being named as a finalist for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year,” said Director of Athletics Blake James. “To be selected as one of nine finalists nationally is an amazing honor and one that we will truly celebrate within the Hurricane family.”
McCormack was selected as a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year following an impressive collegiate career that saw her excel in the areas of academics, athletics, community service and leadership.
“This is an absolutely incredible accomplishment for Kara and the University of Miami,” said Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Jennifer Strawley. “Her efforts in the classroom, in the community and in competition are truly inspiring.”
As an athlete, McCormack was one of three Miami women’s divers to qualify for the 2016 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. McCormack competed in 1-meter (258.75) and 3-meter (282.75) dives at the 2016 NCAAs after missing all of 2014-15 while recovering from surgery. She also was a three-time All-American and was named the 2013 ACC Women’s Diver of the Year.
In the classroom, the Austin, Texas, native holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from Miami. She is currently in the process of pursuing her Ph.D. with a focus on medical field research. In addition, McCormack is a four-time member of the All-ACC Swimming and Diving Academic Team and the ACC Honor Roll.
Equally impressive was McCormack’s work in the community, as she served as Miami’s ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Council representative. McCormack spent a summer volunteering in Vietnam where she participated in the Coach for College program. Her other activities include working with the pen pal program at a local elementary school and assisting with the National Parks Service.
