Former University of Arizona swimming standout Whitney Myers was named as the 2007 NCAA Woman of the Year at the annual dinner October 27 in Indianapolis.

She is the second NCAA Woman of the Year from Arizona and the fifth swimming student-athlete to earn the honor.

The NCAA Woman of the Year award recognizes female student-athletes who have completed their eligibility and demonstrated excellence in academic pursuits, athletics, community service and leadership. A committee composed of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences selected the top 30 out of 128 conference and independent nominees, 10 from each division.

From the 30 honorees, nine finalists - three from each division - were chosen. The Committee on Women?s Athletics selected Myers from the nine finalists.

In accepting the 17th annual honor, a surprised and emotional Myers praised each of the evening's honorees.

"I wish I could break off a piece of the award for each of these girls because they all deserve it," Myers said. "This award encompasses the whole person, not just your athletics achievements or academic achievements or how many hours you give back to the community. It's how well rounded you are. All of the women here tonight have done an awesome job at developing the whole person. The whole package ? that?s what you see here tonight."

The whole package also is what you get with Myers, who stressed that she has always viewed her roles as student and athlete as equally important. There were times when she had to miss class for a meet and days when she missed practice to study for a test, and Myers thanked her coaches and teachers who supported her efforts in the pool and in the classroom.

Myers also credited her parents and Becky Bell, a member of Arizona?s athletics department staff. "I don't really have any athletics role models. Athletics has taught me a lot about having great character, but athletics ends and that?s why I?ve turned to role models who succeed in their whole lives."

Myers, a science education major with an emphasis in biology/pre-pharmacy, could easily fit into her own definition of a role model. In addition to classes and student teaching in a high school biology class three days a week, Myers is eyeing a run at the 2008 Olympics. A five-event qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Trials in June, she plans to spend the spring semester training.

"The Olympics is the ultimate achievement. To compete for your country is such a huge honor, and because of that, you put pressure on yourself," Myers said. "I'm learning to embrace that challenge, not shy away from it."

Myers' message to young aspiring athletes is along those same lines. Do it all, she said.

"You'll be standing next to someone from another school, you'll race until blood comes out of your ears and it'll be a great competition. Then you'll turn around and say "How's your family," Myers said. "Another great part of sports is learning how to turn things on and off, knowing how to be a fierce competitor but also knowing how to be a humble winner or loser."

Myers clearly has learned how to balance that fierce competitor with the humble winner or loser. Though she isn't sure what led to her being selected as the Woman of the Year, she is certain that it could have been any one of the finalists.

"I'll take the title of NCAA Woman of the Year and carry it with pride, but I know anyone else could be in my place and I?d be just as happy for them."

Myers' academic prowess earned her first-team academic all-American and first-team Pacific-10 all-academic honors for four consecutive years. She twice earned the Mary Roby Academic Achievement Award and was the winner of the 2003 Arizona Distinguished Scholar Award.

A first-team all-American in seven swimming events and a top-three finisher at the NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships in eight events, she holds 14 school records and is a two-time NCAA record holder. A member of the U.S. Women?s National Team for three years (2004, 2005, 2006), Myers finished third at the 2004 Olympic Trials and fourth at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships.

Myers was team captain, co-president of the student-athlete advisory board, pre-pharmacy club liaison, student-teacher club member, group leader in the sponsorship of a low-income family and founder and director of a local swim clinic. She worked closely with local Girl Scout troops, elementary schools and retirement communities, and represented her university through many speaking engagements. A volunteer at a pharmacy, Myers also visited the children?s ward at the University Medical Center.

NCAA President Myles Brand attended the dinner and commended the honorees for their accomplishments.

"The overriding impression that I have of these young women tonight is their academic achievement, community selflessness and their potential to be leaders of tomorrow. It's clear in hearing their stories that they are concerned and devoted to improving the human condition," Brand said. "These young women have committed to being leaders for positive change. I'm gratified at their willingness to do good for others and I encourage them to embrace every opportunity they have to make a difference in our world."

National basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli and SportsCenter and ESPNews anchor Sage Steele emceed the NCAA Woman of the Year dinner, which will be rebroadcast December 7 on ESPN2 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.