Otey named one of top finalists for NCAA Woman of the Year

Sarah Jane Otey, who graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in May, is now one of nine student-athletes selected as finalists for the 2012 NCAA Woman of the Year award that will be announced on Oct. 14.

Otey, the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference representative for the award, began as one of 430 total nominees.

Otey, a three-time NEWMAC all-conference rower, is an accomplished rower and swimmer, helping to lead the Coast Guard crew team to a spot in the NCAA championship in 2008 and 2012 and qualifying for the NCAA swimming and diving championship five times in her career.

She was also an outstanding student, carrying a 3.97 GPA in marine and environmental science, earning six NEWMAC Academic all-conference distinctions and receiving the George C. Alexander award at the Coast Guard Academy.

Otey took on a number of leadership and service roles during her time at the academy. In 2009-10, she stepped away from Coast Guard and spent a year doing humanitarian work in Peru. During her time in Peru, Otey worked at a local clinic, tutored children in English and helped build clean-burning stoves for rural families. Otey has also been a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and was the community service department head at Coast Guard in 2011.

- Day Staff Reports