ITHACA, N.Y. – Recent Ithaca College graduate Brandy Smith of the women's track & field team is one of 543 student-athletes across the country who has been nominated for the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Smith is among the 198 Division III women student-athletes nominated by their institutions for the prestigious award, which recognizes graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves during their collegiate careers in academic achievement, athletic success, service and leadership. The former track & field star is one of a combined 187 women nominated from indoor and outdoor track & field across the three divisions and one of six student-athletes from the Empire 8 Conference. The conference office will make its selection for what two women will represent the Empire 8 in late July who will move on to voting for the top 30 across all three divisions. From there, the top 30 nominees will be recognized and the NCAA Woman of the Year will be named at the awards ceremony on Oct. 22 in Indianapolis.

Just a few weeks ago, Smith was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and will pursue her Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College in Boston, Mass. Smith earned her bachelor's in business administration with a 3.82 grade-point average in May.

Smith produced one of the most successful careers in women's track & field program history. She was a three-time national champion in the discus and a seven-time All-American during both seasons. After the three first place finishes in the discus, Smith placed within the top eight in the weight throw twice in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and in the indoor and outdoor shot put this past season.

The list continues for Smith, as she was a 12-time Empire 8 champion, a nine-time USTFCCCA all-region honoree, a three-time Empire 8 Field Athlete of the Year, the USTFCCCA Outdoor Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year in 2015-16 and the NYSCTC Outdoor Rookie of the in 2013-14. Along with that, Smith owns five different school records.

During her time with the track & field program, Ithaca won eight Empire 8 championships, seven NYSCTC titles and two ECAC crowns. This past season, the Bombers placed second at the indoor and outdoor NCAA Division III Championships.

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.