George Washington University Athletics
Bautista and Zhang Nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year
6/25/2019 4:00:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball, Women's Swimming and Diving
Pair of 2019 graduates recommended for all-encompassing award
WASHINGTON -Â Recent George Washington graduates Mei-Lyn Bautista (women's basketball) and Emily Zhang (women's swimming & diving) have been selected as GW's nominees for the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The national recognition honors the academic achievements, athletic excellence, community service work and leadership of graduating female student-athletes from all three divisions.Â
Bautista and Zhang were chosen in recognition of being living examples of the athletic department's pillars of discipline and excellence, and serving as outstanding representatives of the University.
Bautista was the undisputed team leader for the women's basketball team, helping guide the program to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, two A-10 Tournament titles and two A-10 Regular Season championships during her four years.Â
In her final campaign, Bautista was a member of the A-10 Postseason Third Team and All-Defensive Team as well as the Preseason Second Team and All-Defensive Team. She also earned A-10 All-Tournament distinction in 2017-18 and All-Rookie honors in 2015-16.Â
Bautista was named GW's Lynn George Outstanding Senior Female Student-Athlete and has been honored for her work in the classroom as an A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient twice in her career. Off the court, she has participated in over 20 community service projects, taking a particular focus in local organizations that empower youth with disabilities.Â
Zhang has paced GW women's swimming and diving's climb in the Atlantic 10 standings, totaling 16 A-10 medals during her career to help the Colonials improve their conference positioning in each of the past four seasons.Â
The Maryland native capped her career in style by earning seven medals at her final A-10 meet in February, as GW placed second to equal its best finish in program history. She followed up by adding a silver in the 100-yard individual medley at the season-ending CSCAA National Invitational Championship.Â
A member of GW's SAAC and Leadership Academy and two-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, Zhang received GW Athletics' Red Auerbach Award for well-rounded excellence as a senior and was awarded an A-10 postgraduate scholarship.Â
She has been recognized for her work in the classroom as an A-10 All-Academic pick and CSCAA Scholar All-American and active in the community as a tutor and adaptive swim instructor.
The Atlantic 10's Senior Woman Administrators will vote to select the two nominees who will represent the Atlantic 10 Conference among the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year finalists.
Bautista and Zhang were chosen in recognition of being living examples of the athletic department's pillars of discipline and excellence, and serving as outstanding representatives of the University.
Bautista was the undisputed team leader for the women's basketball team, helping guide the program to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, two A-10 Tournament titles and two A-10 Regular Season championships during her four years.Â
In her final campaign, Bautista was a member of the A-10 Postseason Third Team and All-Defensive Team as well as the Preseason Second Team and All-Defensive Team. She also earned A-10 All-Tournament distinction in 2017-18 and All-Rookie honors in 2015-16.Â
Bautista was named GW's Lynn George Outstanding Senior Female Student-Athlete and has been honored for her work in the classroom as an A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient twice in her career. Off the court, she has participated in over 20 community service projects, taking a particular focus in local organizations that empower youth with disabilities.Â
Zhang has paced GW women's swimming and diving's climb in the Atlantic 10 standings, totaling 16 A-10 medals during her career to help the Colonials improve their conference positioning in each of the past four seasons.Â
The Maryland native capped her career in style by earning seven medals at her final A-10 meet in February, as GW placed second to equal its best finish in program history. She followed up by adding a silver in the 100-yard individual medley at the season-ending CSCAA National Invitational Championship.Â
A member of GW's SAAC and Leadership Academy and two-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, Zhang received GW Athletics' Red Auerbach Award for well-rounded excellence as a senior and was awarded an A-10 postgraduate scholarship.Â
She has been recognized for her work in the classroom as an A-10 All-Academic pick and CSCAA Scholar All-American and active in the community as a tutor and adaptive swim instructor.
The Atlantic 10's Senior Woman Administrators will vote to select the two nominees who will represent the Atlantic 10 Conference among the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year finalists.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
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