ROCHESTER, NY – Emma Dewart, a recent graduate of Ithaca College and a member of the track and field teams, has been named the 2012 Empire 8 Woman of the Year. Dewart will represent the conference in national balloting for the NCAA Woman of the Year. The award honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, and service and leadership.
“As much as it appears that things come easy to Emma, they have not,” said Ithaca track and field coach Jennifer Potter. “When challenged at Ithaca, it brought out the best in her. She wanted to be the best at anything she came upon, including academics. She devoted herself to her team, her events, and most importantly her future of becoming a teacher.”
Dewart entered college having never hurdled, thrown the shot put or javelin, or run the 800 meters. Eventually, she became the most decorated athlete in the program’s history with 11 All-American honors and back-to-back national championships in the pentathlon at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. Her point total of 3,674 in the indoor national meet was a school record.
“Emma sacrificed herself for he school, teammates, and her family,” Potter continued. “Her hard work and determination is impressive. She graduated early in a rigorous teaching curriculum, while giving back to her home and school community, her family, and our program.”
“My ability to multitask on the track and in the field during athletic competitions gave me the characteristics and ability to balance community service, academics, athletics, a job, family, and friends,” said Dewart.
She was part of numerous on- and off-campus organizations, including Youth Sports Day, her academic major’s club, Women’s Club Basketball, a local soup kitchen, and Ithaca College Student United Way. Dewart’s fundraising efforts helped provide financial grants to United Way foundations throughout Tompkins County.
Dewart was recently selected to the NCAA Division III Academic All-America Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field Team. She was named to the first team after earning third-team accolades after her junior season. The award honors those who excel academically and athletically.
“Emma has proven to be an exemplary student, athlete, and member of the community,” said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “She encompasses everything that we value in the Empire 8 and is most deserving of the Woman of the Year honor.”