Maryland women's lacrosse star Taylor Cummings named Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Taylor Cummings concluded an outstanding junior campaign by being named the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, announced Wednesday by the conference.

In Maryland's inaugural season in the Big Ten, and the conference's first season sponsoring lacrosse, Cummings becomes the first Terrapin to be voted Female Athlete of the Year. Earlier in the month, she repeated as the Tewaaraton and Honda Award recipient and became a three-time first team All-American.

"This is a tremendous honor not only for Taylor and our program, but also for the sport of lacrosse," head coach Cathy Reese said. "Taylor is very deserving of this award. She has exemplified excellence for our program and is an outstanding leader, student and role model for our team."

Cummings led the Terrapins with 37 assists, 100 points, 41 ground balls, 143 draw controls and 36 caused turnovers in 2015 as she led Maryland to its second straight national title. The Ellicott City, Md., native was named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and earned All-Big Ten honors. She was named the IWLCA National Midfielder of the Year and NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player for the second straight season.

"I'm incredibly humbled to be the first-ever recipient of this award in Maryland's inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference," Cummings said. "There have been so many tremendous female athletes who won this award in the past and I'm honored to be included alongside them. I wouldn't be here without the support of my coaches and teammates, and I want to thank them for helping me achieve these goals."

Cummings was named to the 2015-16 U.S. National Team last week for the second straight year.

"Taylor is very deserving of this honor," director of athletics Kevin Anderson said. "I am extremely proud that the conference recognized Taylor for the outstanding season she had in leading our program to a regular season championship and a national title in our inaugural year in the Big Ten."

Ohio State wrestler Logan Stieber earned Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year honors after becoming just the fourth wrestler in NCAA history to win four individual national titles.

The Big Ten Conference first honored a Female Athlete of the Year in 1983 with Michigan State's Judi Brown collecting the initial award. The Big Ten Athletes of the year are selected by a panel of conference media members from nominations submitted by each institution.

2015 Taylor Cummings Accolades

·         Tewaaraton Award winner

·         Honda Award winner

·         Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year

·         2015-16 U.S. National Team member

·         IWLCA First Team All-American

·         IWLCA First Team All-Region

·         NCAA Championship MOP

·         NCAA All-Tournament Team

·         Big Ten Midfielder of the Year

·         All-Big Ten