Cross Country | 6/27/2017 4:19:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota State University Moorhead track and field standout Molly Montonye is one of 543 nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year, the NCAA announced on Tuesday.

A native of Graceville, Minn., Montonye wrapped up a stellar track and field and cross country program this past spring. She was a three-time All-American in track, an All-American in cross country in 2016 and a two-time Academic All-American.

Established in 1991 and now in its 27th year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. The school nominees represent all three NCAA divisions, with 229 from Division I, 117 from Division II and 197 from Division III. The nominees competed in 21 different women's sports, and 122 were multisport athletes during their time in college.

Next, conferences will select up to two conference nominees each from the pool of school nominees. The Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will then choose the top 30 honorees - 10 from each division. From the top 30, the selection committee determines the top three honorees from each division and announces the nine finalists in September. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then chooses the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year from those nine.

The top 30 honorees will be recognized and the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at the annual award ceremony Oct. 22 in Indianapolis.