Lipscomb's Peck the Tennessee state finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year
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Lipscomb University's Kristin Peck has been named as a state finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year.
Finalists are selected from each state and also the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Peck was one of 30 NCAA Division I athletes selected as a finalist. There were 11 each from Division II and Division III. The prestigious award honors the outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community leadership, and have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility.
"Kristin Peck epitomizes all that is good about intercollegiate athletics," said Lipscomb athletic director Dr. Steve Potts. "A talented two-sport athlete with an impressive academic record and an impeccable character, Kristin is very deserving of this honor."
Colleges and universities nominated 276 student-athletes for the award. A committee comprised of representatives from member schools selected the state winners.
Peck graduated in December with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education with an emphasis in teaching. She finished with a 3.97 grade point average. Peck is studying for her Master's degree at Lipscomb while serving as a graduate assistant coach in both softball and volleyball.
Peck excelled in the classroom while starring in two sports. She played centerfield and shortstop for Lipscomb's softball team earning All-Conference and All-Region honors. She was an outside hitter in volleyball, earning second-team All-Conference in Lipscomb's first year in the Atlantic Sun Conference. She led the conference in kills.
"This couldn't have happened to a better person," said Lipscomb volleyball coach Brandon Rosenthal. "Kristin personifies everything about what we want our volleyball team to be in terms of hard work, dedication and ultimately, the selflessness.
"I've never seen anyone more unassuming in the way she goes about her business. This is a true testament of who she is, and what she brings to everything she does."
Peck is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society in recognition of her academic achievements. She also received the Whitfield Future Teacher Award for Grades K-12 which is presented by the Lipscomb Department of Education. She also received the James R. Byers Award given annually to a female and male Lipscomb athlete for Christian leadership as well as academics and athletics excellence.
"Kristin is an outstanding student-athlete in every respect," said Dr. Lin Garner, senior women's administrator for Lipscomb athletics. "She is highly motivated and hard working on the field, on the court and in the classroom.
"As a member of Lipscomb's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee she provided the same excellent leadership she devoted to her teams, helping to build camaraderie among all of our athletes and exemplifying a spirit of service as we developed a NCAA Division I program."
Peck, a native of Smyrna, is the daughter of Barbara and Larry Peck.
A national winner, the NCAA Woman of the Year, will be selected by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics from among 10 finalists. The top 10 finalists will be announced Wednesday.