The Woman of the Year selection committee has named nine student-athletes from the Top 30 honoree pool as finalists for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Former Georgian Court student-athlete Hanna Thrainsdottir was chosen as one of the nine finalists.

The nine finalists consist of three student-athletes from each NCAA division. Each finalist was selected for her outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.

Now in its 32nd year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers. Nominees for the honor meet the four pillars of the Woman of the Year Award, which are academics, athletics, service and leadership. Of 577 student-athletes nominated for this award, 156 student-athletes were selected as conference-level nominees. That pool of student-athletes was narrowed to the national Top 30 honorees.

A native of Hafnarfjordur, Iceland, Thrainsdottir graduated from GCU this past spring, earning a perfect grade-point average of 4.00 with a dual major of digital communication and psychology. A four-year standout on the women's basketball roster, Hanna closed out her collegiate career on the Lions' outdoor track and field roster, specializing in the high jump where she finished third at the CACC Championship meet.

Thrainsdottir has been a superstar in the classroom throughout her time sporting the royal and gold, a resume that includes four CACC All-Academic selections, induction into Chi Alpha Sigma (College Athlete Honor Society), the 2021 CACC Top XVI award, and the exclusive Fulbright Fellowship for the 2022-23 academic year. Thrainsdottir is currently attending New York University as she began her studies towards her graduate degree with a goal of earning a Ph.D. and pursuing a career in higher education research and teaching.

Hanna also served as president of GCU's LGBTQ student organization and also participated on the GCU Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as an active contributor to its programming committee.

On the court, Hanna led the Lions to an undefeated conference regular-season record in 2021, which included the first CACC regular-season crown for women's basketball as an NCAA Division II program, and the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA East Regional tournament.

Hanna is the first Lion to be named an NCAA Woman of the Year finalist since Heather Walker in 2008.

On Jan. 12, the Top 30 honorees will be celebrated during a luncheon at the NCAA Convention in San Antonio. There, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year will be named.

2022 NCAA Woman of the Year Finalists