HILLSBORO, ORE. - Whitworth University senior swimmer Carly Hoff has been selected as the first Northwest Conference Athlete of the Year for a women’s team, the conference announced Tuesday.
The Northwest Conference Athlete of the Year award honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter from their individual institution and have earned their undergraduate degree by Summer 2023.
“I have never competed, served, or taught looking for recognition,” Hoff said, “If you were to tell me at the beginning of my college career, I would be receiving such a distinguished award I never would have believed it. I do what I do because I love what I do. I am grateful to receive this award as it shows my passion could be seen by others. I am honored to be the Northwest Conference Women's Athlete of the Year”.
A native to Escondido, California, Hoff studied Elementary Education with an English language endorsement and a minor in reading instruction at Whitworth. She was named the 2023 Northwest Conference Women’s Swimmer of the Year, was honored on the All-NWC First-Team in 2022 and 2023 and the 2023 Northwest Conference All-Sportsmanship Team.
Whitworth also named Hoff the 2023 Women’s Athlete of the Year and the MVP for the women’s swim team in 2021 and 2023. Hoff was the freestyler on the 400 Medley Relay that holds both the NWC record and Whitworth school record.
“Carly has been an absolute pleasure to coach" said coach Christine Mabile, "She worked hard for her achievements in both the pool and classroom and puts her whole self into everything she does. She is well loved by all her peers because she is kind, inclusive, encouraging, and a servant leader. I am thrilled we get to honor her with the NWC Female Athlete of the Year award!”
In addition to her athletic achievements, Hoff served as a student teacher, swim team spirit committee director, women’s swimming team captain, swim lesson instructor, and student-athlete advisory committee member during her time at Whitworth. Hoff also took advantage of travel opportunities and was a swim lesson instructor and English teacher on a Thailand service trip in 2022 and an English teacher for immigrant children in Australia in 2022.
"I am so happy for and proud of Carly Hoff!” said Whitworth Head Swim Coach, Steve Schadt, “I can not think of a better nominee for this award. She has been a very bright light for our women's swim program over the last 4 years. She is constantly serving and putting others first. We have been so fortunate to have her in our swim program. She leaves our team far better than she found it and her legacy will live on long after she is gone. She was a very talented swimmer and acted as a multiple year team captain for us. She has led us in and out of the water as a model of positivity and grace."