STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Clodagh O'Reilly's combination of academic and athletic accomplishments as well as her leadership and community service have led to major recognition.

O'Reilly, who graduated last month with a dual major in health science and economics, is one of three finalists for America East Woman of the Year.
 
The other finalists are UAlbany softball's Kelly Barkevich and UMBC women's basketball's Lucrezia Costa.

The winner will be announced on July 30 at 10 a.m. and advance to the NCAA-wide Woman of the Year competition.

Each institution within the conference nominated a deserving candidate.

America East began honoring a Woman of the Year in 2006 and introduced the Man of the Year award in 2015.

Stony Brook has produced three AE Woman of the Year winners during that span — Kylie Ohmiller in 2018, Olivia Burne in 2014 and Lucy Van Dalen in 2012. Three Seawolves have earned AE Man of the Year: Mike Watts last year, Alejandro Fritz in 2016 and Eric Speakman in 2015.

Similarly, Christina Melian in 2017 was one of 30 finalists for NCAA Woman of the Year.

Burne, Van Dalen, Melian, Watts and Speakman, like O'Reilly, competed in cross country/track & field.

O'Reilly has returned to her native Ireland, where she currently is considering employment opportunities as well as graduate school in Dublin.

She produced a 3.76 GPA as an undergrad.

"Clodagh will be remembered for her high academic achievement, contributions to our cross country and track programs, and leadership and service not only to our Athletic community, but to the greater campus and Stony Brook communities as well," said Courtney Rickard, Stony Brook's senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator. "Clodagh represented the Department of Athletics throughout the campus in various service roles, and we are excited that her achievements have been recognized by the America East conference."

O'Reilly served as a student ambassador. She also had an executive role in an annual food drive, among countless other civic activities.

Athletically, her accomplishments include being named to the USTFCCA All-Academic Team, America East Conference All-Academic Team, and dean's list every semester of her undergraduate career.

"Growing up in a household of 10, I learned from a young age the value of family," O'Reilly said. "So when I left my home in Ireland four years ago, bound for Stony Brook University in New York, I found myself seeking out a new family to surround myself with. Thankfully that is exactly what I found at Stony Brook — a community where I felt welcome, both within athletics and far beyond.

"Over the past four years, I have gained so much from the people around me, from my teammates pushing me in practice, to people I met around campus, who showed me how to be a better person inside and out. As I flourished, I worked hard to ensure the community around me flourished with me.

"Through my roles as a peer mentor and a student ambassador I constantly strived to enhance the experience of every student I met, sharing my knowledge with them and helping them navigate the difficult adjustment to the collegiate level. I wanted my efforts to reach beyond the student body, and I embraced every opportunity to give back to the local community who support international student-athletes like me so much."