FHSU Sports Information Department
Former Fort Hays State women’s basketball player Kate Lehman was named to the Top 30 Honorees for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Award on Thursday (Sept. 3). A total of 10 finalists from each division (Division I, II, and III) are selected to form the Top 30 honorees.
From a record 480 school nominees, the committee selected 30 women representing each of the three NCAA divisions in 12 different sports. The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year Award, demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.
“This year marks the 25th celebration of the Woman of the Year program, and these women continue the tradition of being the best and brightest in college sports,” said Shantey Hill, chair of the selection committee and assistant vice president and senior director of athletics of St. Joseph’s College (Long Island). “This year’s top 30 honorees are outstanding examples for women competing in sports at any level, and we are confident that they will continue to make a difference in the world for many years to come.”
In late September, the selection committee will name nine finalists – three women from each division. The 2015 Woman of the Year, selected by the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, will be announced Oct. 18 at a ceremony in Indianapolis. Lehman is the first-ever Fort Hays State athlete to be named among the Top 30 for this honor.
In 2014-15 Lehman earned All-America First Team honors from four organizations and the National Player of the Year from BennettRank.com. She was both the MIAA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. She earned the conference’s top defensive honor and All-MIAA First Team honors for three consecutive years and was named to the All-Defensive Team all four years.
Lehman also excelled in the classroom throughout her time at Fort Hays State, graduating with a 3.85 GPA as an Elementary Education major. She was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team in 2015.
Lehman reached a distinction no other NCAA Division II women’s basketball player in history had ever accomplished in 2015. She was the first ever at the level to have at least 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 blocked shots in a career. She went on to finished with 1,917 points, 1,109 rebounds, and 515 blocks in her career, only the second player in Division II history to reach 500 career blocks.
All of Lehman’s accolades throughout the 2014-15 season caught the attention of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. Her jersey is currently in the Hall of Fame’s “Ring of Honor” for a full year in recognition of those accomplishments.
To view the list, click here NCAA Top 30 Honorees. Pictures of the Top 30 honorees, click here, NCAA Top 30 Honorees Pictures.