INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The NCAA has announced that Jill Smolczyk, a former standout diver on The University of South Dakota women's swimming and diving team, is one of 30 nominees for the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

The NCAA Woman of the Year honor recognizes exceptional female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics, community service and leadership, and have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility. From the remaining group of 30 nominees, nine finalists will be chosen and announced later this month. The 2008 Woman of the Year will be announced during an awards dinner on Oct. 19 in Indianapolis.

Smolczyk (Omaha, Neb.) wrapped up an outstanding diving career at USD last spring. She was named the NCAA Division II Diver of the Year after winning the national championship in 1-meter diving and finishing second on the 3-meter board at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships.

Smolczyk was a six-time All-American and set five school records in her Coyote career. She also was a four-time North Central Conference diving champion and was named the NCC Women's Diver of the year twice.

She also was named to the ESPN The Magazine's Women's Academic All-District At-Large Squad in 2007. She had a 3.833 GPA in psychology. She also was named USD's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2006-07 and also received a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship last spring.