The National Girls and Women in Sports Day Luncheon will be held on Feb. 12, in the Don Taft University Center Arena and will feature keynote speaker Delise O’Meally, director of association-wide governance and international affairs for the NCAA.
The luncheon is invitation only; those invited to the event include all female student-athletes, the athletics administration and staff, as well as a select group of university administration and staff.
O’Meally will also be receiving the Pioneer Award, which is given for her accomplishments and commitments. The NGWSD began in 1987 and has been celebrated with a luncheon at NSU since 2004.
In addition to her position with the NCAA, Delise O’Meally holds several other high-ranking positions in sports including the vice president of the United States International University Sports Federation, vice president of the Pan-American Collegiate Sports Federation, serves on the board of the Ball State University Center for Peace and Conflict. She also served as Deputy Head of Delegation for Team USA’s participation in the 2013, and received the 2013 NACWAA Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year award honoree.
The pioneer award won’t be the only award handed out that night. The Flo Hyman award will be given to a NSU female student-athlete, yet to be voted on.
The Flo Hyman Award is named after Florence Hyman, an indoor volleyball player who won a silver middle in the 1984 Olympics for the team competition. She’s also known for being an advocate for gender equality in sports. She died during a 1986 volleyball match in Japan from Marfan syndrome, an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue, the fibers that support and anchor organs and other structures in human bodies.
The award is given to the student athlete who exhibits athletic performance and charitable activism, especially in the context of elevating sports opportunities for girls and women. Each of the nominees was selected by thee head coach of their respective teams. The winner will be chosen by the Athletic Department administrators. Here are the nominees from each of the 11 women’s sports.
Kamryn Blackwood (Tennis)
A senior and captain of the tennis team, Blackwood spent last summer helping build homes, schools, and churches in Kenya, while assisting teachers with orphans. In January, she was named Miss New Mexico and will compete in the Miss United States Pageant in June.
Rachelle “Riki” Carach (Basketball)
A senior and caption of the basketball team, she has worked with Nike Camps, Miami Heat Camps, and the Three Point Hoop Tournaments to help teach the sport she loves to the girls of the area.
Shelby Cogan (Softball)
Colgan is active in teaching young girls at Holiday Park teamwork and commitment, in an effort to keep softball leagues afloat. She’s an NSU junior and volunteers much of her time at Boys and Girls Clubs on several Indian Reservations, teaching her beloved sport.
Katherine Fleming (Soccer)
A senior, Fleming has volunteered with the Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Fleming serves as vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is the soccer team’s representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Candice Johnson (Volleyball)
Johnson transferred from Palm Beach State in the summer of 2013 and her impact as a leader on the team was immediate. Johnson, a junior, has worked with Relay for Life for 10 years to help fight the battle against cancer. For the past two years, she has served as Palm Beach Juniors Coach, where she teaches young volleyball players.
Rachel Lewis (Golf)
Lewis, an senior, volunteers heavily with different youth groups through junior golf camps and charity races. Lewis has received the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, which recognizes athletes who giving kids a chance to develop life skills. She serves as the golf team’s representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Last year, she was awarded the Sunshine State Conference Sportsmanship Award.
Monica Sapp (Track)
A sophomore on the women’s track team, Monica is involved in multiple organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Christian student group Ablaze. She is the team’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative and participates with Finatics, which encourages school spirit at athletic events.
Kelly Scott (Rowing)
A junior on the women’s rowing team, Scott is a member of the President’s 64, SGA, Razor’s Edge and the Homecoming Council. She’s also the team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, as well as a Presidential Fellow on The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. . She has also donated her time at NSU’s A Day for Children, local beach clean ups, and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. horse ranch and rescue.
Arianna Sunyak (Swimming)
A captain on the women’s swim team, junior Sunyak swims the fly and sprint-free style. Sunyak swam in the Sunshine State Conference championships in both her sophomore and freshman years. During the championship in her sophomore year, she completed a season-best time of 25.15. Her personal best time for the 100-yard freestyle is 55.40. She’s also active in local volunteering.
Brittany White (Cross Country)
A senior on the women’s cross country team, Brittany donates her time working with the Special Olympics and volunteers with Keep Broward Beautiful, partaking in beach clean-ups and nature preserve initiatives. White also participates in fundraising for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, which promotes healthy living.
Rachel Salveson (Dance Team)
In addition to being captain of the Sharkettes, junior Salveson serves as the Philanthropy Chair in her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma. She raises money and promotes awareness for a variety of events, including Breast Cancer Awareness dinners and the Sigma Stroll Off. She established Cozy Corners, a partnership with Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital to create comfortable spaces for extended stay patients.
