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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Recently graduated Virginia Tech pole vaulter Kelly Phillips has been selected as one of the Top 30 nominees for the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The NCAA will honor the achievements of the top 30 women and announce the winner of the award at the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year awards dinner on Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

“Kelly Phillips has achieved the highest levels both academically and athletically that are available to a collegiate student-athlete. She is all about excellence and the will to succeed and our entire program wishes her luck as she is considered for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award,” said Virginia Tech Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Cianelli.

The NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) manages the nomination process and selections. In 2011 alone, 471 student-athletes were nominated by their institutions to their respective conference offices. Each conference then submits nominations to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee determines the top 30, with 10 women being selected from each NCAA division. The top three honorees in each division comprise the nine finalists. CWA then selects the overall winner, regardless of division.

A Blacksburg, Va., native and a double-major in biology and human nutrition, foods and exercise, Phillips was the winner of the Elite 88 award at the NCAA Indoor National Championships which recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.

Phillips was a two-time All-American in the pole vault, finishing ninth indoors in 2011 and sixth outdoors in 2008. She set the school record in the indoor pole vault, clearing 14-1.25 (4.30m) at the VT Elite Meet this past season. She was a four-time All-ACC Academic Team selection and two-time Capital One Academic All-American, including a first team Academic All-American this past year. In addition, Phillips was a two-time ACC indoor pole vault champion and the recipient of the ACC’s Weaver-James-Corrigan graduate scholarship. She also served as co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council.

Phillips is currently training in Blacksburg for the 2012 Olympic Trials. She plans on entering medical school in the fall of 2012.

Complete NCAA Release and List of Top 30 Nominees

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