Five CAA Student-Athletes Selected as Institutional Nominees for NCAA Women of the Year Award
Hunter Peters
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 13, 2023) – Five standout CAA student-athletes have been selected as institutional nominees for the NCAA Women of the Year Award.
Delaware fifth-year
Hanna Garber, UNCW graduate student
Janel Gamache, Hampton junior
Dejah Grant, North Carolina A&T graduate student
Paula Salmon and Drexel graduate student
Keishana Washington are the CAA institutional nominees recognized by the NCAA for the four pillars of academics, athletics, service and leadership.
Garber, a five-year starter for the Blue Hens Softball team, accumulated a 3.78 GPA while studying Mathematics Education. She was also a Delaware SAAC Member for all five years, including two years on the executive board. On the field, Garber was a three-time All-CAA First Team selection and the 2022 CAA Defensive Player of the Year. The Lancaster, Pa. native finished her career as Delaware’s all-time leader for runs scored (161) while ranking second in conference history in triples (23) and sixth in stolen bases (81).
Gamache, a staple for the Seahawk Softball program, earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a 3.12 GPA and is pursuing a master’s in business analytics. The four-year team captain started 200 of her 205 games in a UNCW uniform, finishing her career top 10 in program history in 19 statistical categories. Gamache culminated her career with First Team All-CAA honors and CAA Player of the Year recognition this spring. Additionally, she was a CAA All-Tournament team selection in 2022, helping UNCW to its first-ever conference title.
Grant, a team captain for Hampton’s Track and Field program, was instrumental to the Lady Pirate’s transition to the CAA as they finished runner-up at the CAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The junior is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health science and maintains a 3.29 GPA while participating in SAAC and holding an active role in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The Springdale, Md. native earned two All-CAA finishes indoors before scoring 20.5 points with three All-Conference nods outdoors. Grant was the CAA Champion in the 400m hurdles outdoors and set the CAA Championship meet record with a personal-best time of 57.79.
Salmon, who graduated with a 3.40 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, left her impact on CAA Track and Field becoming the best 100m hurdler in league history. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native earned First Team All-America honors by finishing eighth in the 100m hurdles at the 2023 NCAA Championships. Salmon broke the all-time CAA record in the 100m hurdles, becoming the first woman to run under 13 seconds, with a wind-legal time of 12.91. Additionally, she won the 100m hurdles crown at the CAA Championship and set a meet record with a time of 13.25. Salmon was a five-time All-American before CAA Track Athlete of the Year honors to culminate her career this spring.
Washington, a three-year captain for the Drexel Women’s Basketball team, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology, maintaining a 3.74 GPA, and was one of eight students admitted to Drexel’s psychology master’s program in 2022. In addition, Washington was a three-year SAAC representative for Drexel and participated in multiple community service initiatives in the Philadelphia area. On the court, Washington earned CAA Player of the Year accolades in 2022-23 and back-to-back First Team All-Conference honors. The Pickering, Ontario native also concluded her career with All-America honorable mention and Second Team Academic All-America status. Washington is second all-time in Drexel program history in career points (2,363) and fourth in league history.
Follow the CAA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about all CAA member institutions and their teams.