CLEVELAND – Delta State University's Jennifer Artichuk, a five-time NCAA All-American swimmer, has been named one of nine finalists for the NCAA's most coveted female prize, the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Artichuk joins former Lady Statesmen Alyse Hasty (Softball), Bernadette Sayles (Basketball), and Mandy Lee (Swimming) as recent finalists. The top 30 finalists were narrowed down to nine last week in preparation for the Sunday, Oct. 19 presentation at the Murat Centre in Indianapolis, Ind.
“We have been fortunate over the years to have been represented by some of the top female student-athletes in the nation here at Delta State,” said Jeremy McClain, Director of Athletics. “Jennifer had a great career here at DSU in the pool and in the classroom. We are very proud of her accomplishments.”
Artichuk, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was a five-time NCAA All-American and an 11-time Honorable Mention All-American for the Lady Statesmen Swimming and Diving Team from 2004-2008. During that time, she excelled as a student leader on campus, while maintaining one of the most successful careers in Lady Statesmen Swimming and Diving history.
She served as President of the Student Accountant Board of Administrators and President of the Business Student Advisory Committee. She was also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Delta Mu Delta, the National Honor Society of Business Administration. The three-time Academic All-American graduated in May with a 3.55 GPA in accounting.
Ever active in the community, Artichuk served a mentor for the Cleveland Youth Mentoring Program, as well as the Delta Aquatic Club. In 2005 after several refugees from Hurricane Katrina were relocated to Cleveland, Artichuk and her teammates helped out at the shelter and the staging area for Cleveland's response.
“Jennifer was one of the best we've ever had here at DSU,” said Brian Hein, Lady Statesmen head coach. “She stands as the very definition of what it means to be a student-athlete. Her focus was always on maintaining a balance between her education and her commitment to swimming. I've never had someone so adept at both.”
Artichuk will travel to Indianapolis, Ind., on Friday, Oct. 17 for the NCAA's Woman of the Year Weekend. Activities begin on Saturday, Oct. 18 with the presentation set for Sunday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. inside the Murat Centre, Egyptian Ballroom. Delta State University head coach Brian Hein and several other dignitaries will be in attendance at the presentation.
