Emory University track and field standout Nikki Boon has been selected as the University Athletic Association's representative for the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year Award as announced by the office Monday morning. She will represent the UAA alongside University of Chicago's Ren Brown.
 
Rooted in Title IX, the NCAA Woman of the Year Award was established in 1991 to recognize graduating female student-athletes who have completed their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service, and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.
 
Boon, a native of Dronten, Netherlands, earned a master's degree in biological and biomedical science at Emory with a 4.0 grade point average. She was chosen as the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for Division III. Boon earned first team CSC All-Academic honors in each of her two post-graduate seasons at Emory.
 
"My NCAA career has been far from perfect and has provided me with many challenges, but it also provided me with countless lessons, new opportunities, personal growth, and friends I now consider family. After moving across the world to chase my dream of becoming an American student-athlete, I experienced a season-ending injury, the COVID-19 pandemic, and surgery in my first year," explained Boon, who found her time at Emory a chance to use her experience to benefit others. "It became my goal to provide my teammates with the support I was my missing during my undergraduate career and help them become the best version of themselves. My passion for mentoring extends into many areas of my life from teaching courses and coaching youth to participating in Women in STEM events where I strive to uplift, inspire, and encourage others."
 
The team captain, Boon captured the pentathlon at the 2025 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships and the heptathlon at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She set the NCAA Division III record at the indoor meet in becoming the first woman to surpass 4,000 points in the event. She also ran on the Eagles' indoor 4x400-meter relay that earned All-America honors and garnered All-America accolades in the outdoor long jump. Boon was named the 2024 and 2025 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South/Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year for both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
 
"Nikki is the epitome of a student-athlete. She completed an extremely rigorous academic program while competing at the highest level and doing both at the top of her field. She's the type of athlete that not only stands out because of her performances, but because of the way she brings together and elevates those around her," remarked Emory head track and field coach Linh Nguyen. "Any athlete can be good, but only the truly special one succeeds while also helping those around them to also reach their potential. Nikki has not only been a big part of our recent successes but also our culture."
 
Earlier this month, Boon competed for the Netherlands at the 2025 Women's Decathlon World Championships and took home the title of "World's Greatest Athlete" with her win at the event. It marked her first time competing in the decathlon and the first time seeing live action in the pole vault and 1500m run.
 
"Nikki's achievements at Emory are outstanding. Her dedication to the university, the track and field coaches, and her peers showcases her winning spirit. Her impact will be felt for years, and I am super proud of her. I wish her all the best in her career ahead," added Emory Associate Vice President of Campus Life and Clyde Partin Sr. Director of Athletics Keiko Price.
 
Conference offices selected up to two nominees each from their pool of member school nominees. All nominees who competed in a sport not sponsored by their school's primary conference, as well as associate conference nominees and independent nominees, were considered by a selection committee. Next, the Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will choose the Top 30 honorees — 10 from each division.
 
From the Top 30, the Woman of the Year selection committee will determine the top three honorees in each division and announce nine finalists. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then will choose the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year, which will be announced later this year.