DENVER, Colo. – Sportswomen of Colorado (SWOC) has selected Colorado State University Pueblo women's track and field and cross country standout Yasmine Hernandez as a special award winner as part of the organizations 49th Annual SWOC Awards Celebration, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 12, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
Hernandez, who was named Colorado's 2022 Collegiate Women's Athlete of the Year by the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame last week, was selected in the special awards category by the SWOC for her All-Around Campus Leadership.
The women, coaches and organizations are being recognized for their outstanding sports achievements during 2022. The honor is a true testament to their incredible talent and dedication.
Hernandez earns her honor from the SWOC after winning the 2022 NCAA Division II women's 1,500 to become the first female student-athlete from CSU Pueblo to capture a national title. Additionally at the 2022 indoor national championships, she anchored the school's national championship distance medley relay team and was third in the 800 meters individually.
The Colorado native from Johnstown also became the first CSU Pueblo athlete to be named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Woman of the Year. She also was among the finalists for NCAA Woman of the Year. Hernandez was named the women's Division II National Scholar Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
A summa cum laude graduate with a degree in nursing, Hernandez is a six-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete, the track and field captain coordinated student-athlete study sessions for four years. On campus, Hernandez supported the Suicide Awareness Walk/Run, the Harvest Walk for Special Needs and Dr. Dan's 5k Run/Walk. She also volunteered at local high school track meets and led a group of volunteers for the Youth Pack Relays in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Some notable recipients at this year's award celebration include WNBA Coach of the Year Becky Hammon, MVP of the National Women's Soccer League Sophia Smith, and volleyball coach Tom Hilbert who recently retired with more than 800 career victories at Colorado State University. Metropolitan State University of Denver Women's Basketball Coach Tanya Haave, former University of Tennessee Basketball All-American and three-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year will be the keynote speaker. KOA Broncos sideline reporter and DJ at 103.5 The Fox Susie Wargin will present the awards.
The highlight of the evening will be the surprise presentation of the Sportswoman of the Year Award to Colorado's most outstanding athlete based on her 2022 achievements. More banquet information can be found online at https://sportswomenofcolorado.org/awardscelebration/
Here are the 2022 Sportswomen of the Colorado Award winners:
Sport Categories
Lauren Betts – Basketball – High School (Grandview High School)
Mya Hollingshed – Basketball – College (University of Colorado)
Brooke Wilson – Cross Country – High School (Valor Christian)
Stephanie Cotter – Cross Country – College (Adams State University)
Victoria Sanders – Diving (Discovery Canyon High School)
Carol Whipple – Duathlon
Zoe Martin – Field Hockey (Colorado Academy)
Hadley Ashton – Golf – High School (Erie High School)
Leigha Devine – Golf – College (Rutgers University)
Jill McGill – Golf – Senior
Lauren Burt – Gymnastics – High School (Lakewood High School)
Jessica Hutchinson – Gymnastics – College (Denver University)
Mariah Bell – Ice Skating (USA Olympic Team)
Shea Murphy – Lacrosse – High School (Green Mountain High School)
Kyleigh Peoples – Lacrosse – Division II College (Regis University)
Sam Thacker – Lacrosse – Division I College (Denver University)
Nell Rojas – Marathon
Kira Mullins – Mountain Biking (Columbine High School)
Allie McLaughin – Mountain Running
Megan Torrence – Shooting (Homeschool, Calhan, Colo.)
Katie Hensien – Skiing (Denver University)
Naomi Clark – Soccer – High School (Grandview High School)
Civana Kuhlmann – Soccer – College (University of Colorado)
Hailey Maestretti – Softball – High School (Lutheran High School)
Paige Adair – Softball – College (Colorado Mesa University)
Lucy Bell – Swimming – High School (Fossil Ridge High School)
Lily Borgenheimer – Swimming – College (Colorado Mesa University)
Lily Chitambar – Tennis (Boulder High School)
Peyton Garrison – Track and Field – Small High School (Coal Ridge High School)
Agur Dwol – Track and Field – Large High School (Mullen High School)
Brianna Robles – Track and Field – Division II College (Adams State University)
Micaela DeGenero – Track and Field – Division I College (University of Colorado)
Kara Winger – Track and Field – Professional
Shannon Feran – Triathlon (Colorado Mesa University)
Clare Gallagher – Ultra Marathon
Izzy Starck – Volleyball – High School (Rampart High School)
Rylee Hladky – Volleyball – College (MSU Denver)
Marissa Gallegos – Wrestling (Colorado Mesa University)
Special Awards
Ava Keenan – Most Promising (Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy, Mogul Skiing)
Ann Wolta Blackstone – Joan Birkland Leadership Award (St. Mary's Academy, Golf)
Becky Hammon – Professional Coach of the Year (Las Vegas Aces, WNBA)
Bobby Mestas and the Denver Broncos Community Development Team – Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award (Flag Football)
Damon Martin – Milestone (Adams State University, Cross Country)
Mary Smith – Comeback (Track and Field)
Shannan Lane – High School of the Year (Pueblo South Boys Basketball)
Sophia Smith – Professional Athlete of the Year (Portland Thorns, Soccer)
Tom Hilbert – Legacy (Colorado State University, Volleyball)
Yasmine Hernandez – All-Around Campus Leadership (Colorado State Pueblo, Track and Field)
Zoe Rollins – Inspiration (Thompson Valley High School, Volleyball)
Special congratulations to U.S. Women's Senior Open Champion and Cherry Creek High School graduate Jill McGill, who enters the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame for receiving her third SWOC award in the same sport.
