NSU’s Sandra Changkija Repeats as Female Athlete of the Year
For the second consecutive year, Nova Southeastern golf standout Sandra Changkija has been selected Sunshine State Conference Female Athlete of the Year.
Changkija wins the 2010-11 award after leading her team to its third straight NCAA Division II National Championship. With the senior as their catalyst, the Sharks dominated their competition, winning nine of the 11 events in which they competed this season.
The Orlando native became the first student-athlete in history to solely receive PING/National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Player of the Year honors four times.
Changkija concluded her prolific career by leading all DII golfers with a 72.71 scoring average. She was named the Sunshine State Conference Golfer of the Year after lifting the Sharks to their second straight conference title. Changkija claimed medalist honors at the SSC event for the second year in a row.
She posted a top-five finish in all 11 tournaments in which NSU competed this season. She placed first or tied for first in six of those 11 events. Changkija was the individual champion at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship and finished runner-up at the NCAA DII Championship.
Having left an indelible mark on Division II women’s golf, Changkija will next set her sights on professional golf, where she has full status on the LPGA Futures Tour next year.
Voting for the SSC Athlete of the Year awards is conducted among the league’s sports information directors.