DBU's Madison Brown Named LSC's Representative for 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year

DBU's Madison Brown, a standout in both women's cross country and track & field, will represent the Lone Star Conference on the ballot for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year award as announced by the league office. The conference award nominees will be reviewed by the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee with the Top 30 list – 10 women from each of the three Divisions – announced in October. Nine finalists will be introduced in November and celebrated at the Woman of the Year Award presentation during the NCAA Convention in Phoenix in January.

Brown, a graduate student from Round Rock, Texas, is one of 164 women advanced by their respective NCAA Division I, II or III conference for the 2023 Woman of the Year award which recognizes graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership throughout their college careers. Initial nomination for the award was made by the student's university.

"There's so much that I could say about Madison Brown," shares Jacob Phillips, DBU's Head Coach of Cross Country / Track & Field. "She's tough, she's smart, she's intentional, but really I think it all boils down to her being an extremely hard worker and an even better teammate. She was transformational for our program here at DBU helping guide our women to three-straight Lone Star Conference Championships and our two highest NCAA Championship finishes! But, even with all of the school records and Conference Championships, I would still argue that her biggest impact was on how she served her team and how she set a standard of hard work and excellence in all that she did."
 
Brown received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in psychology from DBU in May 2023. She received both the DBU Distinguished Biology Scholar and Scholar Athlete of the Year awards for 2022-23. While an undergraduate, Brown volunteered at the food pantry and the Grand Prairie ISD.
 
A competitor in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, Brown was named to LSC Academic All-Conference lists in all three sports over her career and earned LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll citations in each undergraduate semester. In addition, she was twice recognized for her academic achievements by the Division II Athletic Directors Association.
 
Brown was a 2022 Division II All-American in cross country, placing 21st at the national championship. Her second-place individual finish paced DBU to the Lone Star Conference 2022 cross country title. She finished her Patriots' athletics career posting all-conference finishes in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
 
Brown holds DBU outdoor track and field records in the 5000m (16:19.49), the 3000m (9:24.31), and the 1500m (4:27.40). She was a multi-time competitor at the NCAA Division II Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships during her DBU career and posted a pair of Top 20 finishes in her final competition, placing 15th in the 1500m race and 20th in the 10,000m run at the 2023 Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Brown plans to enroll at Texas A&M University as a master's degree student and athletic graduate transfer.

"The DBU Athletic Department could not be more proud of Madison Brown and her recognition as the Lone Star Conference's sole representative for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year," said Matt Duce, DBU Director of Athletics. "Madison embodies all of the characteristics that make up a Patriot student-athlete. She is a spiritual leader on her team, an academic standout, and a competitive and talented student-athlete."