Cary Gibson of Williams College a Finalist for 2007-08 Division III Athlete of the Year

- May 27, 2008

WILLIAMSTOWN - The Board of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards has announced that Cary Gibson, a junior tennis player at Williams College, has been nominated as a finalist for the 2007-2008 Division III Athlete of the Year representing tennis.

Gibson is one of 11 sport nominees in NCAA Division III. The Division III Athlete of the Year will be announced in mid June after the ballots received from the Division III senior women's administrators and athletic directors have been tabulated.

This is the 32nd year of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards. Their national coaching association nominates each of the 11 finalists under consideration for Athlete of the Year in Division III.

"Cary Gibson is a gifted athlete, a determined competitor, and above all, a player who plays her best when she is competing with and for her team," said Eph head coach Alison Swain. "Cary has played #1 singles for the past two seasons at Williams and #1 doubles since her freshman year. In the past three years, and particularly this season, Cary has become a true leader both on the court and off."

Gibson rallied in the finals of the NCAA Team Championships in the third set to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win six straight games to take the third set over Katie Tabb of Washington & Lee, the second-ranked player in the nation. Gibson's win tied the match at 4-4 and set the stage for Eph first year Nikki Reich to clinch the match with a three set win at number four.

Following the team championships Gibson competed in the NCAA Singles Tournament and along with sophomore teammate Grace Baljon became the first pair of Ephs to each the semifinals in the same year. Gibson proceeded to the final, a Williams first, where she lost to the top-ranked player in the nation, Siobahn Finicane of Pomona – Pitzer in three sets. Gibson had been seeded fifth in the championships.

"At the NCAA team championships this year, Cary truly came through for her teammates," stated Swain. "Down 3-0 in the third set of the NCAA finals, Cary would simply not give up. She fought back tooth and nail against a very tough competitor to win her match and earn the point for the team, helping lead the team to a National title. I credit her with providing a lot of the fiery determination that it takes to win the big matches -- and she has done that for our team all year long."

Playing at number one singles and doubles this Gibson compiled a singles record of 23-8 and a doubles ledger of 19-13. She was the ITA New England singles champion and earned All-American honors in singles play.

In recognition of Gibson's selection as the Division III Athlete of the Year nominee for tennis, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will donate $1,000 to the Williams Athletic Department. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will donate $5,000 to the school of the Division III Athlete of the Year recipient.