University of Richmond Athletics
Melissa Ross Named NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee
06/21/2016 | Women's Swimming & Diving
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Melissa Ross found her name among an elite list of female student-athletes as she was named a nominee for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award.
In order to be nominated for the award, each student-athlete must distinguish the four pillars of the Woman of the Year, which are academics, athletics, service and leadership. Ross excelled in all four areas during her time at the University of Richmond.
Ross was a part of four Atlantic 10 Championships as a member of the Swimming and Diving program, who has won 14 of the last 15 A-10 titles. In 2015, she won gold in the 200 fly.
In the classroom, Ross boasted an impressive grade-point average. The biology major has numerous academic accolades including Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society member, the 2015 Scholar Athlete of the Year for the School of Arts and Sciences, a University of Richmond Presidential Scholar, and a three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
Most recently, Ross was the recipient of the Duke University School of Medicine Dean's Scholarship.
In addition to her excellence in the pool and the classroom, Ross was active in the community. She volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital, was involved in the Alpha Phi Omega community service fraternity, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and Youth Life Foundation of Richmond. She also founded the annual Swim A Lap, Save a Life Swimathon, which has raised nearly $200,000 for local pediatric medical causes including the CHOP Oncology Center and Center for Autism, Doylestown Hospital, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The NCAA will release the top 30 nominees (10 per each division) in early September with the top nine (three per division). The 2016 Woman of the Year will be announced on October 16 at the awards dinner in Indianapolis.
Players Mentioned
