Young nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year award
WBB: Murray State's all-time leading scorer was one of five nominees from the MVC
Former Murray State great Katelyn Young was one of five student-athletes nominated by the Missouri Valley Conference for the NCAA’s annual Woman of the Year Award.
Young was joined by Murray State’s Paola Campigotto (Tennis), Belmont’s Maya Johnson (Softball), Northern Iowa’s Kira Fallert (Volleyball) and Indiana State’s Chloe Farro (Swimming & Diving).
The Missouri Valley Conference’s Council of Faculty Athletic Representatives voted to select Fallert and Farro as the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year Conference finalists.
Back in March, Young wrapped up an historic career at Murray State, where she helped the Racers win their first-ever Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship, plus earn their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2008. Young finished her time in a Racer uniform with 3,029 points and 1,215 rebounds — breaking the school record in both categories. She earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in each of the last three seasons.
Off the court, Young was a multiple-time recipient of the MVC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award, and she has served as a volunteer reader at local elementary schools in Murray. She also had experience working with Special Olympics, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and food pantries.
“Of course, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges,” Young said in a statement. “Injuries, the emotional strain of competition, and navigating the uncertainty of a global pandemic have all tested me in unexpected ways. But I’ve learned that vulnerability is not a weakness; it’s a pathway to empathy, connection, and growth. These experiences have made me more aware of how I can support others through their own challenges.”
Young just finished her first professional season in Australia, helping the Knox Raiders win the NBL1 National Finals. Before she left for Australia in May, Young said she planned to continue her career in Europe later this fall.