MELBOURNE, Fla. – Rebecca Matthews of Lynn University has been named the 2015-16 Sunshine State Conference Woman of the Year. The two-time SSC Female Swimmer of the Year becomes the second Fighting Knight in the last three years to win the award.
Matthews was chosen from a group of nominees in a vote conducted among the conference’s Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, Athletic Communication Directors and Faculty Athletic Representatives from each of the nine member institutions.
In the classroom, Matthews has worked to complete a M.S. in Applied Psychology and a Sports Management MBA with a 3.92 grade-point average. This year alone, she has earned CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American, CSCAA First Team Academic All-American, CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District and SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll status.
The Montpellier, France, native was voted SSC Female Swimmer of the Year after another amazing season for Lynn. Matthews became the second SSC swimmer to win the award twice, as she was also honored in 2014-15 by league coaches.
At the National Meet, Matthews placed first in the 200 Breaststroke, third in the 400 IM, fourth in the 200 IM, and seventh in the 100 Breaststroke, earning four CSCAA First Team All-American awards. She also earned CSCAA First Team All-American awards in the same four events during the 2014-15 season.
Matthews won back-to-back Female Swimmer of the Meet awards at the 2014-15 and 2015-16 SSC Championships, making her the first SSC swimmer to accomplish the feat. In eight events across the two championships, Matthews won seven gold and one silver medals. Matthews holds the overall SSC, SSC Championship and NCAA Division-II records in the 200 Breaststroke. She also holds overall SSC records and SSC Championship records in the 100 Breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley.
Outside the pool and classroom, Matthews spends numerous hours giving back to Lynn University and the Boca Raton community. On campus she volunteers with the university’s Women’s Center, International Student Services Board, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Athletics Marketing, and as a swimming instructor for the Pine Tree Youth Camps. She also gives her time to Florida Atlantic University’s Life of Purpose program, Boca Helping Hands and at the South Florida Surfers for Autism Beach Festival.
SSC Woman of the Year Winners Since 2005-06
2015-16: Rebecca Matthews, Lynn University
2014-15:
Linda Fritschken, Barry University
2013-14:
Ellen Chambers, Lynn University
2012-13:
Lauren Boudreau, Nova Southeastern University
2011-12:
Grace Collins, Barry University
2010-11: Barbara Pocza, Barry University
2009-10: Maria Garcia-Austt, Nova Southeastern University / Lydee Benoit, Eckerd Collete
2008-09: Shyla Rider, Barry
2007-08: Virginia Davenport, Saint Leo University
2006-07: Kelly Morrisroe, Eckerd
2005-06: Greta Trotman, Barry University