BYU’s Meghan Hunter and another outstanding female athlete have been selected as nominees for the 2025 Big 12 NCAA Woman of the Year award. This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional female student-athletes who excel in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership.

About Meghan Hunter

Meghan Hunter is a middle-distance runner at BYU who has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. After suffering a severe injury in a vehicle accident that left her with a broken neck, Hunter made an inspiring comeback, becoming a two-time first-team All-American. Her academic achievements are equally impressive, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications disorders and currently pursuing a master’s degree in speech and language pathology.

Nomination Details

Hunter’s nomination for the NCAA Woman of the Year award is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her sport and community. She was also a finalist for the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards’ Honda Inspiration Award, which recognizes female student-athletes who have overcome extraordinary adversity to achieve success in their sport.

Other Big 12 Nominees

While there isn’t specific information available about OSU’s Auerbach being a nominee, it’s likely that another athlete was nominated alongside Hunter. In similar news, Portland State’s Jamie Zamrin and Idaho’s Prabhasha Wickramaarachchi were named as Big Sky Conference nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, highlighting their achievements in track and field, academics, and community service ¹ ².

NCAA Woman of the Year Award

The NCAA Woman of the Year award has been presented since 1991 to recognize senior female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service, and leadership. The award selection process involves multiple rounds, with each conference nominating candidates, and a selection committee choosing the top honorees ³.

Selection Process and Honors

The top 30 honorees, 10 from each division, will be selected, and from those, the top nine finalists, three from each division, will be announced later in the fall. The 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at the NCAA convention in January, and the honorees will be celebrated at the Woman of the Year Award Presentation.

The NCAA Woman of the Year award is a significant recognition of female student-athletes’ achievements, and Hunter’s nomination is a testament to her hard work and dedication. The award’s legacy includes past winners from various sports and institutions, showcasing the diversity and excellence of female athletes in the NCAA.