PORTLAND, Ore.--- Coming off an outstanding career as a member of both Portland's cross country and track and field teams, recent graduate Lauren LaRocco has been nominated as a candidate for the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year Award as the West Coast Conference honoree.

Throughout her five-year stint running for the Pilots, LaRocco broke numerous program records. She currently holds the best time in program history in the 10,000m for her fourth-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, as well as the second fastest time in program history for her sixth-place finish in the 5000m that same year.

During this past calendar year, LaRocco earned an eighth-place finish at the cross country West Regional meet, following her second-place showing at the WCC Championships. Her successes continued into the winter, where the fifth-year senior collected 12th place in the 5000m at the Indoor Track and Field Championships.

LaRocco also excelled in the classroom as she landed on the 2019 WCC and USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams. She was also recognized with MPSF All-Academic honors.

For 29 years, the NCAA has honored the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of outstanding female college athletes.

Conference nominations are forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year Selection Committee, which identifies the top 10 honorees in each of the three NCAA divisions. From those 30 candidates, the selection committee then determines the three finalists in each division for a total of nine finalists.

The Committee on Women's Athletics will select the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year from the nine finalists. The 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced Sunday, Oct. 20, at an awards dinner in Indianapolis.