Friday, July 21, 2023
by Evan O'Kelly

PORTLAND, Ore. – Ten women from Great Northwest Athletic Conference schools have been nominated for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Upon review of each school’s nomination, the GNAC will announce the conference’s overall nomination for the award. The GNAC’s nomination will then be reviewed by the selection committee, which will identify 10 finalists from each of the three NCAA divisions. The 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at the NCAA Convention in January.

The NCAA Woman of the Year award was established in 1991 and recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics, and in academics.

2023 NCAA Woman of the Year Nominees by GNAC schools

Vanessa Aniteye
Seattle Pacific University
Cross Country/Track & Field

The 2023 NCAA national champion in the 800 meters during the indoor season, Aniteye broke the school record on her way to being named the USTFCCCA West Region Athlete of the Year and the GNAC Female Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. Aniteye graduated with a degree in exercise science while maintaining a 3.61 GPA. Aniteye assisted with teaching classes and with physical therapy for the Bayview Retirement Community.

Samantha Bowman
Central Washington University
Women’s Basketball

After one of the greatest careers in GNAC history, Bowman was named the 2023 D2CCA Ron Lenz National Player of the Year. Bowman broke the GNAC career record in rebounds with 1,219, while finishing her career 10th in conference history with 1,632 points scored. The 2023 GNAC Player of the Year wrapped up her degree in nutrition while maintaining a 3.45 GPA. Bowman’s community engagement resume includes serving as an assistant coach and working for the Fish Food Bank.

Logan Carlos
Western Oregon University
Softball

A stalwart in WOU’s lineup for five seasons, Carlos played in 160 games since the 2019 season and maintained a career .299 batting average. She was a first-team all-region selection, and a four-time academic all-conference pick. Carlos completed her degree in communications while carrying a 3.72 GPA. She also served on her SAAC leadership board and worked for the Sable House Donation Drive.

Emily Chilton
Simon Fraser University
Cross Country/Track & Field

One of the most academically decorated athletes the conference has seen, Chilton combined excellence on the track and in the classroom during a standout career at SFU. Her honors include academic All-American status, academic all-district, five-time recognition as a GNAC FAR Scholar Athlete, and 10 academic all-conference nods across her career in cross country and track and field. Chilton completed her biomedical physiology degree with a 4.24 GPA and was accepted into the medical program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Chilton served on SFU’s SAAC, worked with Special Olympics, and volunteered in several tutoring positions.

Kathryn Crimp
Saint Martin’s University
Women’s Golf

Graduating as the Saint Martin’s valedictorian, Crimp completed a degree in mathematics and secondary education with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. The four-year member of SMU’s golf team was the 2021 GNAC individual champion and was a three-time all-conference selection. Crimp was a three-time academic all-conference selection and regularly volunteered with the Saints athletic department.

Maya Hopwood
Western Oregon University
Track & Field

Helping guide the Wolves to the 2023 GNAC Indoor Championships team title, Hopwood was an integral part of the Wolves’ growing success throughout her career. Hopwood broke the school record in the 60 meters with a time of 7.58 seconds, and earned all-conference twice in her career. Hopwood was involved with multiple clubs and organizations on campus, and served on the MLK committee, DEI director hiring committee and on the BIPOC advisory board.

Olivia Kraska
University of Alaska
Women’s Basketball

A four-year veteran of the Nanook program, Kraska played in 58 games during her career at Alaska. Kraska completed her degree in psychology with a 3.78 GPA, and was heavily involved in community service and volunteer activities on and off campus. Her service resume includes working for the UAF department of psychology, serving as SAAC president, volunteering as a high school coach, and working for the Denali Elementary Book Club.

Maia McNicoll
Northwest Nazarene University
Softball

A five-year standout for the Nighthawks, McNicoll started 185 games and hit .301 with 37 home runs and 159 RBIs in her decorated career on the diamond. McNicoll was named the GNAC Player of the Year in her senior campaign, and was a four-time all-region selection while helping the Nighthawks to a pair of GNAC Championships titles. McNicoll carried a 3.58 GPA while studying criminal justice, and was an academic all-district selection as well. Her community service efforts included work for the American Childhood Cancer Organization, the Little Nighthawk program, and volunteering at high school clinics.

Eve Stephens
University of Alaska Anchorage
Volleyball

Stephens capped arguably the greatest career in GNAC history by being named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year, after breaking the GNAC career record for kills with 1,926. Stephens was a three-time All-American and a two-time Academic All-American, and helped the Seawolves go 27-3 including a 17-1 mark in conference play during her senior year in the fall of 2022. Stephens completed her accounting degree with a 3.9 GPA, and spent time volunteering in the local youth sports and education community in Anchorage.

Kailee Stoppel
Montana State University Billings
Cross Country/Track & Field

A four-year letterwinner for the Yellowjackets, Stoppel showed steady improvement throughout her collegiate career. She earned all-conference in both the 3,000 meter steeplechase and 800 meters twice during her career, and was a three-time USTFCCCA all-region selection. Stoppel completed her undergraduate degree in teaching and history in the spring of 2023 with a grade point average of 3.6. Stoppel volunteered with the Montana High School Association and was the MSUB outstanding student leadership award winner.