Simpson Named NCAA Woman of the Year Finalist

Lincoln ? Former Nebraska gymnast Richelle Simpson was named one of 10 finalists for the 2005 NCAA Woman of the Year award on Monday, a week after earning the honor for the state of Nebraska. Simpson becomes just the second gymnast in school history selected as a national finalist, as three-time Shelly Bartlett was named one of the 10 in 1997.

NCAA Woman of the Year recognizes senior student-athletes in intercollegiate athletics for their outstanding achievements in athletics, academics and community service. This year’s finalists, who had an average grade-point average of 3.82 on a 4.0 scale and included six NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients and seven athletes who were part of NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) on their campuses and in their conferences.  

The 2003 NCAA all-around and floor exercise champion, Simpson was a nine-time All-American gymnast at Nebraska. She was an eight-time conference champion, most recently during the 2005 season when she won the all-around, balance beam and floor exercise titles at the Big 12 Championships in Norman, Okla., and was honored as a 12-time All-Big 12 selection. In addition, Simpson, who was the NCAA South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year in 2003 and 2005, led the Huskers to a first-ever No. 1 ranking in 2005 and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in Auburn, Ala. With her outstanding leadership, NU won Big 12 team championships in three of the last four years.

While earning success in the gym, Simpson garnered numerous accolades in the classroom as well. The Toronto, Ontario, native was a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and first-team academic all-district VII honoree in 2005. As Nebraska’s first AAI American Award winner, Simpson earned prestigious postgraduate scholarships from both the NCAA and the Big 12 Conference. She was also the 2005 Nebraska Female Student-Athlete of the Year and was recognized as a three-time academic All-Big 12 team member. In addition, Simpson devoted considerable time to countless charitable organizations in the Lincoln community, serving as a volunteer with Safe Quarters, the TeamSpiritHospital program and was a guest speaker at schools for local youth. Simpson graduated with her bachelor’s degree in French and international studies this past May.

The 2005 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced during the annual awards dinner Oct. 29 in Indianapolis. ESPN personality Danielle Sargent and Kara Lawson, former University of Tennessee, Knoxville, women's basketball standout and a 2003 Woman of the Year top-10 finalist currently playing in the WNBA, will serve as emcees for the evening.

2005 NCAA Woman of the Year Finalists

Michelle Reeser, Alabama, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, gymnastics.
Hometown: Monroe, Louisiana

Alisha Williams, Colorado, Western State College of Colorado, cross country/track and field.
Hometown: Frederick, Colorado

Leah Geib, Delaware, University of Delaware, field hockey.
Hometown: Telford, Pennsylvania

Melissa Lehman, Florida, BarryUniversity, volleyball.
Hometown: Longmont, Colorado

Jennifer Skolaski, Iowa, University of Iowa, swimming and diving.
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

Richelle Simpson, Nebraska, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, gymnastics.
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Deirdre Dlugonski, Pennsylvania, PennsylvaniaStateUniversity, swimming and diving.
Hometown: Washington, Pennsylvania

Janiva Willis, South Carolina, WinthropUniversity, softball.
Hometown: Irishtown, New Brunswick, Canada

Lauryn McCalley, Tennessee, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, swimming and diving.
Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia

Lindsay Hagerman, Virginia, Washington and LeeUniversity, tennis.
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas