HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Alex Fontes (Plymouth, Mass. / Sturgis) of the Juniata College women's swim team was one of 177 Division III female student-athletes nominated for the 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Eligible female student-athletes were nominated by their member school. Each conference office reviewed the nominations from its core member schools (and sponsored sports) and submitted its conference nominee(s) to the NCAA. In September, the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee identifies the Top 30 – 10 from each division – and from there selects three finalists from each division. The Committee on Women's Athletics then selects the winner from the nine finalists.

The 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced in November.

Fontes made her mark in both academics and athletics at Juniata. A four-year member of the women's swim team, Fontes capped off her career by winning the 200-yard Butterfly at the 2021 Landmark Conference Virtual Championships. She was just the second JC female swimmer to win a conference event. Additionally, she placed second in the 100-yard Butterfly and helped the 400-medley relay team to a third-place finish at the championships. Fontes currently holds the Juniata school record in the 200-yard Butterfly. 

Across her four years, Fontes was named to the Landmark Academic Honor Roll each year she was eligible. In her final season with the Eagles, Fontes earned Landmark All-Conference first-team honors (200 buterfly) and second-team honors (100 butterfly). 

Fontes immersed herself throughout Juniata's campus. She served as a lifeguard at JC, assisting patrons with questions about the pool and campus facilities, as well as providing swim lessons. Additionally, she helped organize the swim team's participation and contribution with Special Olympics through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She also served as a Teaching Assistant, which included teaching Biology classes, and writing and grading lab reports and assignments.

Fontes had the opportunity to work with the Universidad de Las Americas and Institute for Cerebral Palsy in Quito, Ecuador. While there, she provided weekly health assessments and provide hygienic support to medically challenged students.

Earning Dean's List recognition all four years, Fontes graduated Cum Laude with a 3.63 GPA as a biology major. She was also inducted into the International Studies Honor Society.