June 12, 2001

Jess Martin Named Honda Division II Woman Athlete of the Year

Following national balloting among NCAA member schools, freestyler Jess Martin (Buckingham, Iowa/Cedar Falls, Iowa) has been named the winner of the Honda Award as the NCAA Division II Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Martin helped lead the Truman State University Bulldogs to the 2001 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championship in March by winning four individual events and contributing to two championship relay teams.

It was Truman's first national team title as Martin, a senior, finished first at the NCAA Division II championships in the 200-, 500-, 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyles. Her time of 9:55.86 in the 1,000 free set the NCAA Division II records as she finished more than a lap ahead of her nearest competitor. Martin also set school records in the 500 (4:52.72) and mile (16:45.01).

Additionally, Martin was part of Truman's record-breaking and championship 200- (1:34.17) and 800-yard (7:31.03) freestyle relay teams. She swam the second leg of the winning 200- and second-place 400-yard freestyle relay teams, and anchored the title-winning 800-yard free relay squad. Martin was named the NCAA Division II Women's Swimmer of the Year by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, completing her career as a national champion in a total of seven events.

Martin received the award last night at the Annual Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Banquet, at Salt Lake City, Utah, site of the 2001 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention.

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