BISMARCK, ND – Every meter, but especially every centimeter meant something to D’Andra Morris when competing in the high jump, long jump, or her favorite event — triple jump. The University of Mary track and field star knew the slightest adjustment or miscalculation on her launch point meant the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Far more times than not, Morris calculated correctly earning her the top spot on the podium. 

Morris, the two-time NCAA champion, is now being recognized as a conference nominee for the prestigious 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year — an award honoring outstanding achievements in the classroom and in sports, along with community accomplishments. 

“We have been blessed with another spectacular scholar-athlete who is nominated for Woman of the Year,” said Marauders Track & Field Head Coach Cale Korbelik. “Our nominees the last two years have shown they were not only great athletes, but great students who have worked hard to excel at whatever they do. D’Andra demonstrated exceptional dedication to her career as a scholar-athlete and I believe she is very deserving for the honor at the highest level.”

One of just two scholar-athletes submitted by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), Morris joins 39 Division II candidates remaining for NCAA Woman of the Year recognition. Across all three NCAA divisions, only 151 nominees out of 577 original nominations are still under consideration. The NCAA Woman of the Year Selection Committee now begins the process of choosing the final 10 candidates from each division — with the top 30 honorees named in October, followed by the top three from each division, and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year announced from the nine finalists at the national convention in January 2023. 

“I’m not certain what the nomination for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award means to me personally right now, but I’m happy because my father and brother in my home country of Jamaica — who also happen to be my two biggest critics — are very excited for me,” Morris, humbly exclaimed. “Coach Cale has also made it very clear that it is a very high honor and an important recognition. So, I am very grateful to be recognized along with many exceptional and deserving athletes around the US.”

The Woman of the Year recognition is the latest honor on a resume resplendent with athletic and academic accomplishments for Morris, including several firsts for the Marauders. Selected as the 2022 Central Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) — a first for the Marauders — and the 2022 Northern Sun Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year, Morris is an 8-time All-American and a 10-time NSIC champion. Her exploits also earned her North Dakota Female College Athlete of the Year honors from the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NDAPSSA). 

Just as impressive are Morris’ academic honors. For a second straight year she was named to the Academic All-America NCAA Division II women’s track & field/cross country team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for her exploits in academics and athletics. A 1st Team selection in 2021-22 after earning 2nd Team honors the previous year, Morris is UMary’s first two-time Academic All-America honoree. 

The Kingston, Jamaica, native became the first UMary competitor to win an NCAA title in a field event when she claimed the triple jump crown at the national indoor championships in March 2022. Morris won the title in spectacular fashion, posting the 10th best mark in Division II history. The national runner-up in the triple jump at both the 2021 indoor and outdoor national championships, Morris completed the title sweep by also winning the 2022 outdoor championship. Additionally, she earned All-American honors in the long jump both indoors and outdoors in 2022. 

While earning her diploma and competing for the Marauders as a team captain, Morris’ work-study duties included patrolling campus as a safety and security officer. 

Morris graduated from the University of Mary in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing and is now pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. 

Just like one of her perfectly placed, record-setting jumps, Morris’ attention to detail and numbers helped launch a career that landed her a current position with the University of Mary analyzing data to help recruit new students. Perhaps Morris’ efforts will help uncover another legendary Marauder to join her in the record books. 

“I’m still in school and intend to be for another few years getting my master’s degree so it doesn’t really feel much different,” said Morris. “Track would keep me occupied for a vast amount of time, and now work has fulfilled that position. I am, however, happy to at least have my weekends back. As my daddy would say, UMary has done a lot for me over the years and it’s now my turn to give back to them by working here. I’m enjoying every second of it.

“I currently work as systems support specialist and I love it because I enjoy a challenge. I’m also happy to be surrounded by people I basically ‘grew up’ with over the years which makes my job a little more interesting every day.”

Morris is not the only 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist now working for the University of Mary. In July former University of South Dakota basketball player Chloe Lamb joined the Marauders coaching staff. Lamb, who led the Coyotes to the NCAA Division I Sweet 16 last spring and was the Summit League Player of the Year, was her league’s nominee for the NCAA’s top honor. 

Together, in what is quite possibly a nonpareil accomplishment, the duo of Morris and Lamb give the University of Mary a pair of impressive newcomers to campus.  

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