MILWAUKEE, Wis. (naccsports.org) --- Aurora University cross country/track and field athlete Deyanneira Colon Maldonado and Dominican University softball athlete Emma Woodhouse have been named the recipients of the 2024-2025 G. Steven Larson Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Student-Athlete of the Year for women's sports, as selected by the league's Senior Woman Administrators Standing Committee (SWASC).

This is the second time the award has been shared. The 2018-19 award was shared by Tania Paez of Dominican and Jerica Kotarak of Milwaukee School of Engineering.
 
About the NACC Student-Athlete of the Year Award
Each of the NACC's 14 members may nominate up to two female student-athletes for the annual award, provided at least one of the institution's nominees is a student-athlete of color or an international student-athlete. The SWASC uses a combination of the following criteria in the selection of the award -- athletic excellence, academic achievement, service and leadership, and personal statement -- and moves the award winner forward as the NACC's conference-level nominee for the NCAA's Woman of the Year award.

Effective with the 2022-2023 academic year, the award was renamed in honor and memory of NACC founding commissioner Dr. G. Steven Larson. Larson oversaw the NACC from 2006-2020, assuming the commissioner's role after 20 years as director of athletics and head men's basketball coach at Edgewood College. During his final 11 years at Edgewood, he also served as commissioner of the Lake Michigan Conference (LMC). Larson passed away in December 2021.
 
Emma Woodhouse, Dominican University, softball
Woodhouse, a pitcher/outfielder, ended her Dominican career as a three-time all-NACC selection while helping lead the Stars to two NACC regular-season titles, the 2024 NACC Tournament title, and an appearance in the 2024 NCAA Division III Softball Championships. She was named to the All-NACC Second Team as a sophomore before being named first-team all-league as both a junior and senior. A versatile player, she was in serious consideration for NACC Position Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2024 before settling in as Dominican's top pitcher in 2025 and earning NACC Pitcher of the Year honors. Woodhouse was also named first-team all-region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in her final two seasons as a Star and was named to the 2024 NACC All-Tournament Team.

At the plate, the Sacramento, California native hit .343 (110-321) for her career with 13 doubles, four triples, and a home run with 55 RBIs, 60 runs scored, and 25 stolen bases. In the circle, she forged a 56-16 record in 98 appearances with a 2.26 earned-run average, 338 strikeouts, and five saves. Woodhouse also had 36 complete games and 15 shutouts over 448 2/3 innings while limiting opponents to a .243 batting average. She ended her career 10th on the NACC's career lists in shutouts and win-loss percentage (.778) and tied for 11th in both victories and saves while setting a new Dominican program record for pitching wins.

Woodhouse was recognized as the recipient of the 2025 Dorothy Reiner Mulroy Award for outstanding academic ability and leadership and was selected as a 2025 commencement speaker. The Mulroy Award is the highest undergraduate student honor given at Dominican. She achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing a double major in neurobiology and chemistry. Additionally, Woodhouse served as a physics tutor, a Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) Leader in the areas of general chemistry and organic chemistry, and an undergraduate teaching assistant in organic chemistry while also performing research in Dominican's Biology and Chemistry departments.

"Throughout my college experience I have found it extremely rewarding to serve others and give back to my peers," remarked Woodhouse in her personal statement. "During my time at Dominican I have become involved in mentorship and tutoring programs allowing me to share my knowledge and help others achieve academic success. [...] During my time as an underclassman I found support and confided in my peer leaders and mentors. Knowing how much they helped me, I wanted to give back to my peers and fulfill that role for the younger students. I genuinely love science and enjoy sharing that passion and knowledge with future mentors and leaders. I was able to foster a love for learning in others and discovered a joy in witnessing the spark of comprehension in my peers' eyes.

"Outside of Dominican I have also found ways to give back," she added. "During the summers, I volunteer for Rock Medicine as an EMT for events. We respond to medical calls and provide patient care to patrons. This allows me to give back to others while doing something I'm passionate about. I have always wanted to work in healthcare as I find the human body fascinating and want to learn as much as possible about how it works and how to treat it. My passion for science and the human body has driven me to take on undergraduate research roles in both molecular biology and chemistry. The opportunity to get an education is such a privilege we often take for granted which is why I strive to make the most out of my opportunity and gain all the knowledge I can. As a double major in neurobiology and chemistry as well as a student-athlete, the many sacrifices I have to make for both academics and athletics are worth it. I hope to take everything I've learned through my college experience into medical school as I continue to use my education to serve others."

"[O]ne of my greatest services is being a captain and role model to my softball teammates," Woodhouse concluded. "As a senior starting pitcher, a lot of the younger girls looked to me to demonstrate how to act and carry themselves. It is important I supported and helped develop them to take on more responsibility in the future. Not only do I lead by example, but I am the first one to pick up our players when they are down on themselves. This role has helped me grow in my own mental toughness while continuing to gain mentorship skills. This passion carries me into providing the same support to young athletes as I can provide not only the skills I have learned but support their mental side of the game as well."

Outside of the classroom, Woodhouse helped organize softball camps and also served two years as vice-president of Dominican's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. As a member of SAAC, she has performed community outreach with organizations such as Opportunity Knocks and the National Ability Basketball League. Woodhouse has also volunteered as an EMT during her summers.

She was a four-time NACC Scholar-Athlete and a three-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District selection, earning CSC Second Team Academic All-America honors as a senior. Woodhouse was also named to the Dean's List each of her semesters at Dominican and recognized as DU's Outstanding Senior in Chemistry in 2025. Additionally, she was named a recipient of the NACC's FAR Award for excellence in academics and athletics, service to campus community, and determination for success, was inducted into the Nu Rho Psi, Kappa Gamma Pi, and Alpha Chi honor societies, and was named Dominican's 2025 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
The full list of G. Steven Larson NACC Student-Athlete of the Year Award – Women's Sports Recipients By Year
2024-25: Deyanneira Colon Maldonado, Aurora & Emma Woodhouse, Dominican
2023-24: Hannah Nelson, Lakeland
2022-23: Sydney Spaeth, St. Norbert
2021-22: Simone Wilson, Concordia Chicago
2020-21: Ali Wilson, Lakeland
2019-20: Timiya Ray, Dominican
2018-19: Tania Paez, Dominican & Jerica Kotarak, MSOE
2017-18: Chelsee Wilson, Concordia Chicago
2016-17: Holly Haberkorn, Benedictine
2015-16: Nicci Bermudes, Aurora
2014-15: Loretta Johnson, Aurora
2013-14: Jenee Lange, Aurora
2012-13: Torey DeLozier, Maranatha
2011-12: Carol Cayo, MSOE
2010-11: Cait Hartman, Aurora
2009-10: KC Blahnik, Lakeland
2008-09: Megan Scheele, Edgewood
2007-08: Catherine Chappell, MSOE
2006-07: Emily Henrich, Wisconsin Lutheran