Findlay, Ohio – The NCAA has announced its' candidates for the 2025 Woman of the Year and University of Findlay women's golfer Mary Kelly Mulcahy has been named. She was selected by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) office as the league's representative for the national ballot.

This honor comes following one of the most remarkable athletic careers in department history. The Lima, Ohio native swept the conference's major awards this season, earning the Collegiate Achievement Award, Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, and Athlete of the Year Award.

"Mary Kelly Mulcahy is one of the most exceptional student-athletes we've ever had at the University of Findlay", said Director of Athletics Jim Givens. "Her relentless pursuit of excellence in every facet of her life is nothing short of amazing. She leads with integrity and elevates those around her and I could not be more proud that she has been selected as a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year. She most certainly belongs among the nation's elite female collegiate athletes."

In four years, Mulcahy was named all-G-MAC four times and was the 2025 and 2024 G-MAC Player of the Year. She won 13 times as an individual, the most by any player in program history, and led Findlay to 27 tournament wins as a team. Those 27 wins include four conference championships, three East Regional championships, and the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Mulcahy's career scoring average of 73.06 is more than two shots better than the next closest in the Oilers' record book and her season scoring average of 71.71, which she accomplished twice, is the best by nearly a full shot. In her junior year, she was named as the 2023-24 NCAA DII National Player of the Year and first team all-American, the third of four all-American honors in career. Her play in each of the last two years earned Mulcahy a spot on Team USA for the Arnold Palmer Cup, an international competition that features the best amateur players in the world.

Demonstrating excellence both academically and in the community, Mulcahy, a four-time scholar all-American, achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning her business administration degree in just three years and seamlessly transitioned into her Master of Business Administration studies. Beyond the classroom and as an exemplary teammate, she volunteered at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Lima and contributed to initiatives like the Helping Hands Food Drive, the Chopin Food Pantry, and the Allen County Museum Christmas Tree Festival. Her commitment extended to summers, where she taught at local junior golf camps and tutored elementary students.The Woman of the Year Selection Committee will now select 10 student-athletes from each division, determining the Top 30 honorees.

Findlay has had a pair of women selected as Top-30 honorees. Those two are Jill Schmitmeyer (2023 | women's golf) and Kirby Blackley (2008 | track & field).

Established in 1991, the award recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers.

Later this year, the national Top 30 honorees and nine finalists will be announced. The 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced this fall and celebrated during the NCAA Convention which will take place January 14-17 in Washington, D.C.

About the NCAA Woman of the Year Award

The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have earned her undergraduate degree by summer 2025.

Eligible female student-athletes are nominated by their member schools. Each conference office then reviews the nominations from its core member schools (and sponsored sports) and submits its conference nominee(s) to the NCAA. All nominees who compete in a sport that is not sponsored by their school's primary conference, as well as associate conference nominees and independent nominees, will be sent to a separate pool to be considered by a committee. The NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee identifies the Top 30 – 10 from each division and then selects the NCAA Woman of the Year, who is honored during an awards presentation at the NCAA Convention.