Carly Fehler, a senior from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, was named the track & field nominee for the Class of 2015 Division III Honda Athlete of the Year as announced by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

She is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year honor. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 39th year.

“As a program, we've watched our fairy tale come to life over this past season,” said Fehler. “It has been a wildly successful and special year and we have shown what is possible when a team believes in the same dream. To be recognized as one of the top female athletes in the country in pursuit of those team aspirations, is incredibly humbling. To finish my career on such a spectacular and historic note has been a culmination of the hard work, sacrifice, and determination it has taken to become a champion. I am Blugold track and field, and to represent our team and university while pursuing my passion, has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Fehler was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III Athlete of the Year after winning five national titles at both the 2015 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

At the indoor championship, she won the 60- and 200-meter dash while setting a new school record in the 60. During the outdoor season, she repeated as the 100-meter dash champion and went on to win the 200-meter and the 4x100 relay.  She won the 200 in record-setting fashion breaking her own school record and her relay set a facility and school record.

Fehler finished her career as one of the fastest women in NCAA Division III history. Her wind-aided 11.62 100-meter dash time at the WIAC championships earlier this season makes her the third fastest DIII 100 runner ever. In addition, Fehler clocked in two top-ten times at the NCAA championships, including a relay time that was the second fastest in division history.

“Carly exemplifies what it means to be a true student athlete,” said UW-Eau Claire head coach Chip Schneider. “She transformed who she was as an athlete and individual during her college career through hard work and perseverance.  Her roll on our team went beyond winning; as she was a three-time captain elected by her teammates.  Carly has a great story, but will continue to write her story and help others as she moves beyond her college years.”

All sports nominees from DIII and DII become a finalist for the prestigious 2015 Honda Collegiate Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in June. The sports nominees are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 39 years, recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.   Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.