Ten finalists have been chosen for the 2004 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The honor recognizes young women for their outstanding athletics, academic and community service achievements.

The 10 finalists are: Kelly Albin, University of California, Davis (lacrosse); Julie Hardt, University of Georgia (swimming and diving); Abbey Elsberry, Boise State University (indoor and outdoor track and field); Megan Grunert, University of Indianapolis (swimming and diving); Sherita Williams, Michigan State University (indoor and outdoor track and field); Anna Crary, Smith College (rowing); Kayla Heising, College of Wooster (swimming and diving); Shana Robinson, University of Tulsa (indoor and outdoor track and field); Imani Dorsey, University of Portland (soccer); and Melissa Block, Mary Washington College (lacrosse).

The NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced October 31 in Indianapolis.

Following are some of the accomplishments of the 10 finalists.

Kelly Albin
University of California, Davis
Lacrosse

Academic achievement: Food science major with an emphasis in microbiology who graduated magna cum laude in March 2004. Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) academic all-American. 2004 IWLCA Division II Scholar-Athlete of the Year. UC Davis Outstanding Senior Leadership Award winner, 2004.

Athletics achievement: Team captain, 2002-04. Harrow Sports/IWLCA Division II and Inside Lacrosse first-team all-American, 2004. All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team and all-MPSF tournament team member, 2004. Broke school records for shots in a game, career assists, season assists, assists in a game and career ground balls. Ranked second all-time for goals in a game, career points, season points and career shots.

Service and leadership: Student-Athlete Advisory Council member. Assistant soccer coach, Fort Bragg (California) High School, 2000-02. Athletics study hall tutor. Shriners Hospital volunteer. Coordinator of athletics peer counselors.

Excerpt from personal statement: "As an athlete, I learned to speak the universal language of sports. When I spent three months in Peru last year as a full-time international volunteer, I used sports to connect with children in a way that transcended words. I am no longer a college athlete. But being an athlete has -- and always will be -- a part of who I am."

Hometown: Fort Bragg, California.

Julie Hardt
University of Georgia
Swimming and diving

Academic achievement: Exercise science and psychology major who expects to graduate in May 2005. Three-year College Swimming Coaches Association of America academic selection. Southeastern Conference academic honor roll, 2002-04. NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipient, 2004.

Athletics achievement: FINA World Championship gold medalist in the 800-meter freestyle relay, 2001. Olympic trials qualifier in the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly. All-American in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, 800-yard freestyle relay and the 1,650-yard freestyle. Team captain, 2003-04.

Service and leadership: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member, 2003-04. Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Golden Key International Honor Society. Volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, Georgia, and Habitat for Humanity. Counselor for the Pacific Swimming Zone 4 Swim Camp.

Excerpt from personal statement: "(Through intercollegiate athletics), I discovered hidden stores of determination and perseverance that I did not know I had. I learned how to love and accept my teammates for the awesome people that they are, and as a result, I also learned how to let them love and accept me in return. I learned from them that it was OK to open my heart, and when our entire team loved and respected one another, we accomplished amazing things."

Hometown: Reno, Nevada.

Abbey Elsberry
Boise State University
Indoor and outdoor track and field

Academic achievement: Physical education (K-12) major who graduated summa cum laude in December 2003. CoSIDA/Verizon Academic All-American, 2003. Top Ten Scholar, Boise State, 004. Western Athletic Conference academic choice, 2002-04.

Athletics achievement: Indoor track and field all-American. Three-time all-conference selection. Two-time conference champion in the weight throw, 2003-04. Finished third in the shot put at the 2004 WAC championships. NCAA regional appearance in outdoor track and field, 2003-04. Conference champion in hammer throw, 2003-04. Second-place finish in the shot put at 2004 conference championships. Team captain, 2000-04.

Service and leadership: Delegate to the NCAA Leadership Conference, 2003. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee secretary, 2002-04. Western Athletic Conference SAAC secretary, 2003-04. Served as celebrity waiter at Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit dinner. Volunteered at National Student-Athlete Day, 2002-04. Served as elementary track meet official and as East Junior High Homework Club volunteer.

Excerpt from personal statement: "One word comes to mind when I think about my track and field career: grateful. I have benefited from the leadership skills I've learned from my experiences, and I have also learned how to be successful. I have experienced all the highs and lows involved in collegiate athletics and I have truly benefited from both. Track and field also has taught me persistence. As I look back on all the injuries, the pain, the endless hours of practice and preparation, I realize that persistence was the key to reaching all of my goals."

Hometown: Billings, Montana.

Megan Grunert
University of Indianapolis
Swimming and diving

Academic achievement: Chemistry, biology and Spanish major who graduated magna cum laude in May 2004. Two-time Verizon first-team Academic All-American. Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference academic choice, 2002-04. Member of Sigma Zeta Science and Math Honor Society. NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipient.

Athletics achievement: GLIAC freshman of the year, 2001. Two-time Indianapolis female athlete of the year. Set school and conference records in the 200-yard individual medley, 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay. GLIAC champion in the 100-yard breaststroke, 2003-04. Earned all-America recognition in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley, 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard medley relay, 400-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Service and leadership: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee vice-president, 2004, and secretary, 2002-03. Fellowship of Christian Athletes blood drive organizer. Served as a chemistry lab assistant, peer tutor and as an Indiana Regional Science Fair volunteer. Team captain, 2001-04.

Excerpt personal statement: "I have developed the ability to set goals, develop a plan and dedicate myself to achieving them through collegiate swimming. It is impossible to improve or succeed at anything without these skills ... Perhaps an overlooked benefit of being a college athlete has been gaining awareness that life doesn't always work out the way you want it to. I have learned that hard work may not equal faster times, records or winning. It's in working through the disappointing times and not giving up that truly defines who I am and has helped me become a more grounded person."

Hometown: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Sherita Williams
Michigan State University
Indoor and outdoor track and field

Academic achievement: Earned master's degree in kinesiology in May 2004. Dean's list, 2001. Spartan Academic Excellence Gala. Three-year Honor Award recipient.

Athletics achievement: Two-time all-American and two-time conference champion in the indoor triple jump. All-conference performer in the triple jump, 2001-02. School record holder in triple/long jump, 2002-04. NCAA regional champion in outdoor long jump, 2004. Team captain, 2000-04.

Service and leadership: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member. Participated in Pen Pal Outreach Program and in Athletes in Action. High-school track and field jump official.

Excerpt from personal statement: "The first and most important benefit I have gained (through intercollegiate athletics) is the value of determination. Being a student-athlete has molded me to be determined to succeed in athletics and academics. Not everyone believed in me when I told them that I was going to finish my undergrad and master's in five years while competing throughout those five years. It was the determination as a student first and then as an athlete that led me to accomplish what others thought I could not."

Hometown: Tampa, Florida.

Anna Crary
Smith College
Rowing

Academic achievement: Art history major who graduated in May 2004. Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) national scholar athlete and academic all-American 2002-04, New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) scholar athlete 2002-04, Smith scholar-athlete 2001-04, Seven Sisters Scholar Athlete 2001-04.

Athletics achievement: CRCA All-American 2004, Co-captain of novice rowing team 2000-01 and varsity squad 2003-04, team MVP 2003, NEWMAC Champions 2002.

Service and leadership: Athletic association representative 2001-02, Committee on Athletics member 2004, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee 2003-2004, student academic advisor 2002-02, resident house vice-president 2003-04, student government cabinet 2004, sports editor of student newspaper 2002.

Excerpt from personal statement: "My athletic experiences have taught me that personal fear and trepidation are largely unfounded, and entirely mental. Because of my involvement in athletics – with crew, in particular – I now know that what my mind fears, my body can accomplish."

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona.

Kayla Heising
College of Wooster
Swimming and diving

Academic achievement: Math major who graduated magna cum laude with honors in May 2004. NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipient. First-team Verizon Academic All-America. Member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Recipient of the William A. Galpim Award, given to the top two male and female graduating seniors, and of the David A. Guldin Award, presented to the top male and female student-athlete at Wooster.

Athletics achievement: North Coast Athletic Conference swimmer of the year, 2003. Named to the conference all-decade (1994-03) swimming team. Established seven school records and two individual conference records. Twenty-time all-American, including 13 first-team honors. All-conference selection in 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay. Team captain 2002-03.

Service and leadership: Participated in the Key Pal E-mail Program, E-Buddies International and Best Buddies program. Member of the Wooster Christian Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Volunteered as T-ball coach, soccer clinics instructor and Wooster swim camp instructor.

Excerpt from personal statement: "Involvement in collegiate athletics benefited my life tremendously. I encountered people of all different lifestyles, visited countless cities and created lifelong memories. Participation in college athletics influenced my life more profoundly than simply the places visited or the people met. Being a college student-athlete instilled in me the value of hard work, dedication and determination, and pursuing my passions."

Hometown: Wauseon, Ohio.

Shana Robinson
University of Tulsa
Indoor and outdoor track and field

Academic achievement: Exercise sport science/pre-med major who graduated in May 2004. Four-time academic all-Western Athletic Conference selection. CoSIDA academic first team, 2004. Named to Tulsa's 2004 Ultimate Team, presented to top seven athletes based on academics, community involvement, campus involvement and athletics.

Athletics achievement: Conference freshman of the year, 2001. Set school indoor records in 55 meters, 60 meters and 200 meters and established school outdoor records for 100 meters and 200 meters. Conference indoor champion in the 55 meters, 60 meters, 200 meters, 2002-04 and league outdoor 100-meter and 200-meter champion, 2002-03. Team captain, 2003-04.

Service and leadership: Usher board member at Shiloh Baptist Church. Volunteered for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, helped feed the homeless and served as middle school tutor.

Excerpt from personal statement: "I have truly learned what it is to be a successful student as well as an athlete. I have enjoyed being able to successfully accomplish goals in both academics and on the track under pressure. Through this, I will forever have the ability to work under pressure throughout the rest of my life."

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Imani Dorsey
University of Portland
Soccer

Academic achievement: Interdisciplinary studies major who expects to graduate in December 2004. NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipient. Two-time academic all-conference selection. National Soccer Coaches Association of America first-team all-American. Two-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar. Member of the Phi Sigma Tau National Philosophy Honor Society.

Athletics achievement: Member of the 2002 Women's College Cup national championship team. Member of the 2000 and 2001 NCAA Division I national championship semifinal teams. Four-time all-conference selection and 2003 conference defender of the year. Buzz Freshman of the Year, 2000. Team captain, 2003.

Service and leadership: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee vice-president and student-athlete promotions committee, 2003-04. In-class volunteer at Grant Elementary School. Prepared meals at Ronald McDonald House. Participated in soccer clinics for youth. Nike Town Hall Meeting speaker and University of Portland Founder's Day speaker, 2004.

Excerpt from personal statement: "My abilities to communicate with and establish working relationships with people have improved as a result of college athletics. Being a student-athlete, I was able to test my limits. I pushed myself on the field, in the classroom and socially and found I could do well in all three areas.What I perceive to be the most beneficial part of my experience as a student-athlete was being able to play a sport I have enjoyed since childhood in a safe and competitive environment, where I could challenge myself to perform my best, with the ultimate goal of being the best in the nation."

Hometown: Santa Monica, California.

Melissa Block
Mary Washington College
Lacrosse

Academic achievement: Biology major who graduated in May 2004. Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association academic all-American. Mary Washington College female scholar athlete of the year, 2004. Member of Mortar Board Honor Society, Chi Beta Phi National Science Honorary Society and Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society.

Athletics achievement: IWLCA Division III National Defender of the Year, 2003-04. Conference player of the year, 2003. Consensus first-team all-American, 2003-04; Member of three NCAA Division III national tournament squads, including two semifinalists. Holds school records in ground balls and turnovers caused, categories in which she has been ranked nationally and led the conference in each of the past three seasons. Three-time all-conference selection. Team co-captain, 2004.

Service and leadership: Mary Washington College tour guide, 2001-03. Member of National Council of Jewish Women. Volunteered at Genesis Eldercare Spa Creek Center and in the Anne Arundel Medical Center emergency room.

Excerpt from personal statement: "One benefit from being a student-athlete is to find that getting the win or the highest grade is not what matters most. It is more important to know that I did my best and can gain insight from my experiences. My personal activities were prioritized through balancing sports, school and other enjoyable aspects of life. The lessons I received on the field were applied to the classroom. Interestingly, my grades have always been higher when I was in season. All these benefits will guide me to success in the real world now that college graduation is over."

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland.