Rafter Named NCAA Woman Of The Year Nominee

Already one of the most decorated student-athletes in Central Connecticut State University history, Angie Rafter added a nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year to that resume on Friday. The track and field and cross-country star is one of 577 nominees nationwide, including 248 nominees from Division I, 127 from Division II and 202 from Division III. The average GPA of all nominees is an outstanding 3.80 mark.

"Angie epitomizes what a student-athlete, and person, should be all about," said CCSU Director of Athletics Tom Pincince. "She cares about the people around her, excels in academia and athletics and is a natural leader. Her nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year is well-deserved and I extend the congratulations of all Blue Devils to Angie."

Rafter, a 15-time All-NEC performer, has combined to win 12 conference championships in track and field, including seven on the indoor side and five on the outdoor circuit. Leading Central Connecticut to a pair of track and field titles, she has racked up five lifetime NEC major awards in the process. In cross country, the Danielson, CT native has led the Blue Devils to four straight NEC titles. Most impressively, she became just the second runner in NEC history to win three individual cross-country titles.

Rafter, who shared the NEC's prestigious Female Team Co-Student-Athlete of the Year Award with Saban, ran circles in the classroom as well. The Health Psychology major posted the highest GPA for a graduating female student-athlete at Central Connecticut (3.96). She currently holds a 4.00 GPA in her Master's courses. Rafter has earned a NEC-record eight Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards over the course of her career.

Rafter was selected to serve as the president of the CCSU SAAC for the 2022-23 seasons, and she has devoted countless hours to mental health initiatives on her campus. Rafter has a season of indoor track and field eligibility remaining.

This marks the 32nd year of the Woman of the Year Award program.

The Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will choose the Top 30 honorees - 10 from each division. From the Top 30, the Woman of the Year selection committee will determine the top three honorees in each division and announce nine finalists. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will then choose the 2022 Woman of the Year, who will be named this fall.