NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 Conference announced its NCAA Woman of the Year nominees and recognized University of Dayton student-athletes Jenna Burdette (women's basketball) and Grace McDonald (women's cross country/track) as candidates.

Burdette became the 25th Flyer in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark in her senior season while finishing a stellar career at Dayton. The Coolville, Ohio native rewrote the record book with 14 Top 20 all-time marks across numerous categories and finished with 1,344 points in 120 games played. Burdette was named First Team All-Conference, Second Team Academic All-District, team MVP, preseason all-conference, and received the RUDY Award, given to the standout female athlete at the University of Dayton. She led the team this past season with 16.2 points and 3.9 assists per game. Burdette shot 44.5 percent from three-point range, ranking second in the conference and eighth in the nation in that category. She has previously been named Second Team All-Conference, A-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Performer, A-10 All-Tournament Team, and earned numerous A-10 Player of the Week accolades.

"Jenna has been an outstanding athlete, student, and young woman in her time at Dayton," said women's basketball head coach Shauna Green. "We are very proud of what she has accomplished and what she has done for the University of Dayton. She is well deserving of this honor and we give credit to all of the successful women nominated for this award."

A two-time team captain in cross country and track & field, McDonald led 2017 team to Atlantic 10 Conference cross country championship.  In track, she was All-Atlantic 10 Conference at both the indoor and outdoor championships.  She was third in the steeplechase in 2016, and third in the indoor mile in 2017.  McDonald is a two-time nominee for the Office of Academic Services for Student-Athletes' Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award.  She has also earned the "High Flyer" Award for leadership for the track and cross country programs.  McDonald served her community in several roles.  She was the Executive Coordinator on UD's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a junior and a senior for the student-run R.U.D.Y.S. Awards ceremony.  R.U.D.Y.S. stands for Recognition and Celebration of University of Dayton Student-Athletes Year-End Showcase.  McDonald also volunteers with UD's Office of Multicultural Affairs and is a campus Sexual Violence Prevention representative.  In her hometown, she has organized two blood drives that exceeded the goals the local Red Cross set for them.

"I am incredibly proud and pleased to see that was Grace was named for this award," said women's cross country/track head coach Jason Ordway. "She is such a remarkable young woman that has really applied herself during her time at the University of Dayton. She has been a great ambassador for our school, program, and the students of the University. I am thankful that her hard work has been recognized and awarded."

One of the most prestigious NCAA awards, the NCAA established the Woman of the Year Award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 28th 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 2018 Atlantic 10 institutional nominees are recognized for being standout citizens with robust academic success, complemented by competitive athletic resumes, while sustaining dynamic leadership in their communities. The 14 candidates have noteworthy credentials, including All-American and Academic All-District honors, conference championships and All-Conference award winners, NCAA Championship success, and campus involvement, including serving as student-athlete leaders.

For the full list of nominees, click on the link above.