Vicki Graveline, a senior midfielder from Le Moyne College, was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year nominee for Lacrosse as announced by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
Graveline is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DII Honda Woman Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the CWSA program, now in its 41st year.
"I am honored to be a nominee for the DII Honda Athlete of the Year, “ said Graveline. “Lacrosse has been my life since I've started playing at age 7. My journey this past four years was not an easy one, but playing lacrosse for Le Moyne was one of the greatest privileges I've ever experienced. I could not achieve any of the goals I have achieved without my coaches, teammates, Le Moyne staff, and my loving and supportive family who have pushed me to become the athlete and person I have become."
Hailing from Syracuse, N.Y., Graveline was named a 2017 IWLCA first-team All-American and was the 2017 Northeast 10 Conference Midfielder of the Year. A three-time first-team All-NE10 honoree, she led her team in goals (46), points (66), ground balls (65) and caused turnovers (an NE10-leading and program-record 45) and was second in assists (20)
She closes career with a 67-14 record contributing to the most wins and best winning percentage (.827) by a class in program history.
"I am so pleased that the nominating committee saw in Vicki what we see in her every day at Le Moyne College, “ stated head coach Kathy Taylor. “She is a fiercely competitive, hardworking leader and displays these qualities on and off the field regularly in many areas. Her ability and leadership make Vicki a natural selection for this prestigious Honda Award.”
All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2017 Honda Woman Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports on June 26, 2017, in downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Sports nominees are recognized in 11 DII and DIII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.
THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 41 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 $3.1 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.