TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – By any measure, Florida State senior distance runner Amanda Winslow has enjoyed a remarkable collegiate experience.
A seven-time All-American, ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, team captain, school record-holder, gifted writer and artist and fun-loving spirit, Winslow has mastered the delicate balance of collegiate student-athlete with aplomb.
Her level of achievement across a broad spectrum has not only drawn praise from teammates, coaches and administrators, but well-deserved recognition. The Lawrenceville, Ga. resident has been selected as a candidate for NCAA Woman of the Year.
“It’s an incredible honor for Amanda to have been selected to represent FSU and the ACC as one of the NCAA Woman of the Year award nominees,” Florida State Interim Director of Athletics, Vanessa Fuchs said. “This is one of the most prestigious awards the NCAA bestows on a collegiate student-athlete and her selection as a nominee is a tribute to the tireless commitment she made to excelling in the classroom, on the track and in the community.”
Once identified by Florida State officials, Winslow’s application was forwarded to the Atlantic Coast Conference. She was one of two ACC athletes nominated for the award by the league office.
Winslow is the second consecutive FSU student-athlete – joining former track & field star Kimberly Williams – nominated by the ACC for the award, which honors a female who has distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
One of the top distance runners in Florida State history, Winslow has covered all of the requirements.
“Amanda has been the ultimate student-athlete: NCAA mile runner-up, multi-time All-American, SAAC Rep, team captain, community service leader and practically an assistant coach on the track,” FSU track & field coach Bob Braman said. “She has represented Florida State University and the ACC in an exemplary manner.”
As a distance runner, Winslow’s athletic season covers the entire school year. She is a three-time All-American in cross country for coach Karen Harvey’s team place, which has placed in the top four at the NCAA Championship meet all four years. Winslow earned her second Indoor All-American honor in March when she was the runner-up in the mile as she posted the 10th-fastest time in NCAA history, which was gave her Florida State and ACC records. She capped her Outdoor career by claiming a second consecutive All-American honor in the 1500 meters, placing eighth earlier this month.
Academically, Winslow has been a member of the All-ACC Academic team each of her four years in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. Earlier this spring she was named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Indoor Track and later earned Capital One Academic All-Region honors for the second consecutive year, which qualifies her for Academic All-American honors.
She will earn her degree in Sport Management later this summer – Winslow carries a cumulative GPA of 3.7 - after completing an internship with Nike in Oregon.
A two-time captain for Harvey’s cross country squad as well as Braman’s track & field teams, Winslow is an exemplary leader. A true mentor to her teammates, she has also found time to share her talents with others outside of university activities. From delivering food to the needy, singing Christmas carols at a retirement home, working at the food bank or volunteering with Relay for Life, she has found a way to touch others.
“Amanda is driven to be the best, whether it’s academically or athletically,” Harvey said. “She has always been involved with helping in the community as well. But what makes her the complete woman is her selflessness to help others obtain their goals and tackle their challenges in life.”
One of more than 200 nominees among NCAA Division I schools for Woman of the Year honors, Winslow will find out later this summer if she is among the 30 finalists selected for the prestigious award.
