2012-13 Division II Athlete of the Year – Kari Daugherty

LOS ANGELES, California (June 4, 2013) --- The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) will present Ashland University women’s basketball player, Kari Daugherty, a senior forward from Fresno, Ohio with a 3.98 G.P.A., with her second consecutive Honda Sports Award as NCAA Division II Athlete of the Year as part of its live telecast of the 2013 Honda Cup on ESPNU on Monday, June 24th at the USC Galen Center Founders Room in Los Angeles, Calif. 

“Kari Daugherty epitomizes what we hope from our student-athletes. She is a combination of academic superiority, the highest achievements in athletics and a shining example of service, spirituality and promotion of social issues. We at Ashland University were fortunate that Kari graced us with her presence as she elevated all that were around her,” said athletic director Bill Goldring.

In 2013, Daugherty led the Eagles to the national title game, emerging victorious with a 71-56 victory against Dowling.  She earned All-American honors, NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player honors for a second consecutive time and led the nation with a record setting 25th double-double with 26 points (11-19 shooting) and 12 rebounds.
After transferring from Dayton for her junior season, the All-American and WBCA Player of the Year led Ashland to last year’s national title game, losing 88-82 to Shaw.  Her accolades were similar, but getting a second chance at the national championship was the real prize.

“Playing for a national championship once, is unbelievable, but being given a second chance is indescribable!  I am so humbled and blessed to have had the opportunity to play for a national title yet again, and this time come away with the victory,” said Daugherty, who graduates this Spring from Ashland with a bachelor’s degree in middle education.  “Being a part of this Ashland community has made the experience even more special. I get to play for something so much higher than myself.  I get to play for my God, my family, this team, and the community. There truly aren't words, except that I could not have been here without following God's lead, and having been blessed with an amazing family, teammates, coaches, and university." 

“It has been my pleasure to watch Kari grow both as an athlete and a person during her time at Ashland University. I have the utmost respect for Kari’s leadership, uncompromising work ethic, dedication both on and off the court, and, most of all, desire to honor the Lord in everything she does.  In my 34 years of coaching I have never experienced a more committed student-athlete than Kari Daugherty,” said head coach and Assistant Athletic Director, Senior Women's Administrator Sue Ramsey.  

The Honda Sports Award for Division II Athlete of the Year is presented annually to the top woman athlete, chosen from 11 NCAA-sanctioned sports, with each having one nominee derived from coaches’ panels, All-America committees or finish at the respective national championship.   Sports include: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Daugherty was chosen by a vote of coaches from NCAA member schools.    Finalists included Adams State’s Alicia Nelson (cross country), Merrimack College’s Candace Waldie (field hockey), Barry University’s Nancy Vergara (golf), Long Island University Post’s Jackie Sileo (lacrosse), Univ. of West Florida’s Chelsea Palmer (soccer), University of Indianapolis’ Jennifer DeMotte  (softball), Southern Connecticut’s Amanda Thomas (swimming/diving), Armstrong-Atlantic’s Aleksandra Filipovski (tennis), Academy of Art University’s Vashti Thomas (track & field), and Tampa University’s Danielle Selkridge (volleyball).

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 37 years, recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.   Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $2.7 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.