Arizona’s Bonnie Brandon Nominated for 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year

Arizona’s Bonnie Brandon has been nominated for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Brandon, who majored in nutritional sciences, is a CSCAA Scholar All-American honoree. She has made the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team as a sophomore, junior, and senior, and boasted a 3.84 GPA by the time she graduated.

In the pool, Brandon set Arizona school records in the 200 back and 1650 free during her time with the Wildcats. She has also garnered seven All-American honors with her performances at the NCAA Championships. As a freshman, she was part of the Wildcat 800 free relay that finished 2nd at NCAA’s– she also touched 4th in the 500 free nationally as a freshman. As a junior, she touched 8th in the 1650 at NCAAs.

Brandon sits at #6 all-time in the 200 back SCM, as well as 9th in long course. She’s qualified for the Olympic Trials in four events: the 200 and 400 free along with the 100 and 200 back.

Each NCAA member is able to nominate one female student-athlete who has completed their eligibility to the conference level, and then each conference office reviews and submits its nominee to the NCAA. The NCAA then narrows the field to a Top 30 (10 from each of the NCAAs three divisions), and then to a top 9 (3 from each of the NCAAs three divisions). A winner is announced at the NCAA Woman of the Year awards dinner each fall.

The award is given based on criteria of academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership.

Clarion University diver Kristin Day was the 2015 recipient of the honor. The award have been won by swimming & diving athletes 11 times since it began in 1991, more than any other sport.

Past winners of the award: