Bartlesville High School graduate Kate Steward nominated as NCAA Woman of the Year
Former Bartlesville High School student-athlete icon and 2021 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials participant Kate Steward has captured numerous gigantic honors for her performance in swimming and in academics at the University of Kansas.
She’s in contention for another eye-raising award that would bring her a national spotlight.
Steward recently received nomination for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. Last year, schools from all divisions nominated 535 graduating female students for consideration.
The next step is to make the list of 10 women from each division (I, II and III), for a total of 30.
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The nine finalists (three from each division) will be picked from the list of 30 and an overall winner then announced.
The NCAA announced last October the 2021 winner (Angela Marcurio, University of Nebraska).
This award has existed since 1991.
Steward’s next step is to submit an essay.
The guidelines for nomination are to excel in athletics, academic achievement, service and leadership.
Steward has been a four-year standout on the Kansas women’s swimming team.
During the past 12 months, she competed in the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, placing high in one of her events, won multiple Big 12 championships and competed in the NCAA championships.
She majored in education, earning a 4.0 grade point average.
Steward said in a recent interview with the E-E she had already secured an elementary school teacher’s job for this coming fall.
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As mention, her list of athletic, academic, character and leadership recognition is daunting, making her no doubt among the most honored female athletes in Kansas history.
During her high school years, she helped spearhead the Bartlesville girls swimming team to four-straight state championships while setting state records that still stand.
She also elevated the success of the Bartlesville Splash Club competitive swim team.
To garner a spot among the Top 10 females in Division I in the NCAA Woman of the Year competition would cap her swim and college career with a thunderous glory.
Whether or not it happens, Steward will still have set a standard of all-around athletic, academic and character achievement few have or might ever attain.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville graduate Kate Steward nominated as NCAA Woman of the Year
