PRINCETON, N.J. – Recent Columbia fencing graduate Sylvie Binder '22CC has been selected as the Ivy League nominee for the prestigious 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The league announced Binder as its lone representative from all eight member institutions.
 
Out of 577 nominees submitted by NCAA member institutions, conference offices around the nation named 151 college athletes as their nominees on Tuesday. The nominees represent student-athletes from 17 sports spanning all three NCAA divisions. Of those nominated, 53 nominees competed in Division I.
 
Binder is the second Columbia fencer in the last few years to earn the Ivy League's NCAA Woman of the Year nomination. Iman Blow '19CC was the Ivy League representative in 2019 and went on to be a recipient of the 2020 NCAA Today's Top 10 Award. The Top 10 Award recognizes former student-athletes for their successes on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
 
A three-time first team all-American, Binder claimed the NCAA women's foil title in 2019, which helped lead the Lions to the team national title. She took bronze in 2018 and 2022. Binder claimed two Ivy League titles in foil during her freshman and sophomore campaigns. The Armonk, N.Y., native posted a record of 131-22 throughout her career, including a mark of 39-7 against Ivy League opponents.
 
An American studies/sustainable development major, Binder concluded her undergraduate studies with a 3.91 grade point average. She volunteered as a climate smart communities coordinator and was the lead of the sustainability committee for the town of Rye, N.Y. Thanks to Binder's help, Rye achieved the status of Tree City USA.
 
Beyond her passion of environmental sustainability, Binder has been involved in several community engagement ventures. This past year, she served as fencing coach at Hamilton Grange Middle School. Binder was recently on a panel of elite female fencers discussing mental health and wellness in competitive sport.
 
Binder was recognized with numerous awards in May, including Columbia Athletics' Connie S. Maniatty Award, presented annually to the leading male and female student-athlete among the senior class. She became the first Lion to win Columbia's Rookie of the Year, William V. Campbell Performer of the Year and Maniatty Awards. Binder additionally earned the Columbia University Alumni Association Achievement Award, the Columbia University Spirit Award and the Columbia University Senior Marshal Award.
 
Established in 1991, the NCAA Woman of the Year award is rooted in Title IX and recognizes graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their NCAA eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.
 
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