In 1994 the Heather Farr Award was established to recognize the female student-athlete who best combines academics, athletics, sportsmanship, and a commitment to the community while maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. The Heather Farr Award was named in honor of one of the most successful female student-athletes in school history who died in November 1993 after a long, valiant fight against breast cancer.
Below is a list the nominees for the 2023 award, as nominated by coaches and staff.
AUDREY ERNST/TRIATHLON
Senior triathlete Audrey Ernst was the 2019 national runner up, served as team captain for the 2021-22 school year and has been a pivotal contributor to each of the national championship title teams. While at ASU, Ernst completed two degrees in public health administration and nursing and was recently hired into the nursing residency program at the Mayo Clinic. Ernst was involved in many on-campus activities including her time as a peer health educator and her service as the SAAC President and Wellness chair.
"Audrey has been an outstanding member in the Sun Devil community while also competing at the highest level in her sport and maintaining an exceptional academic record. Audrey has always been a tremendous team player in a very individualized sport. She put the needs of her team first whenever possible, and always modeled an incredible attitude for the group at every practice. She has demonstrated her leadership on our team and within the athletics department through her various leadership roles, and her commitment to the community through the many volunteer opportunities." - Triathlon Head Coach Cliff English
EmpowHER, Powered by @sproutsfm, was established to foster an environment for female student-athletes to communicate with peers across all sports about topics and provide nutritional tools.
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) January 23, 2023
First spotlight features Audrey Ernst, recent graduate, former Triathlon student-athlete! pic.twitter.com/uGncBXaGd8
YANNI ACUNA/SOFTBALL
Fifth-year graduate student Yannira Acuna has a deep appreciation for softball. Growing up in Tucson and committed to Arizona State in 2018, she made an impact for the Sun Devils immediately in her freshman year, starting in 30 games, assembling 23 hits and 19 RBIs. After the shortened 2020 season, Acuna bounced back by starting in 26 games, putting together 23 hits, 15 RBIs, and seven home runs through her junior campaign. Her junior year also marked her first season above a .300 batting average and ranked second on the season with a .676 batting average. In 2022, the Arizona native broke out in a huge way, starting in all 54 games for the Sun Devils, setting career highs in hits (64), runs (63), RBIs (43), doubles (19) home runs (14) and batting average (.430). Her 19 doubles tied a program record for most in a season. The right-fielder was named Softball America's NCAA's most improved player and was one of three Sun Devils to be named to the All-Pac-12 Conference. Heading into 2023, Acuna decided to use her extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic in 2020 to play with her younger sister, Yannixa Acuna, as they share the field for the first time this season. Yanni was named to the Pac-12 preseason All-Conference team and ranked 16th in Softball America's Preseason top 100 rankings. Capping off her Sun Devil career, she will attempt to will ASU to another postseason appearance to host a regional for the third straight year.
"Yanni is special for many obvious reasons on the field and in the classroom. She excels at the highest level at both. What she has accomplished in her short time at ASU is remarkable. Especially for an athlete that faced so much adversity early on in her career. However, what I treasure most is her loyalty and her heart. She is a fiercely loyal Sun Devil. Once she made the decision to compete for ASU, there was never another option. Yanni always puts her team first and treats everyone with the utmost respect. She's our hardest worker and you can always trust her to do the right thing. She really is a coach's dream." – Coach Megan Bartlett
STARTING STRONG ?? ?? @yanniraacuna hits her fourth lead off home run of the season to give us the early lead ??
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 24, 2023
T1 ASU 1 /// Cal 0
?? Pac-12 Network
?? https://t.co/Th0kY6DJR8#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/7YqnffSXu6
LINDSAY LOONEY/SWIMMING
Lindsay has cemented herself as one of the top swimmers in the Sun Devil Women's team history. She owns the school record in the 200 fly and has the school's second-fastest 100 fly time. Her time of 1:53.42, which she hit at the NC State Invite this season, is the fifth-fastest in the nation this season. She was also a member of the 800 free relay that set a new school record in 2020. A member of the USA Swimming National Team, Looney placed 10th in the 200 butterfly at last season's NCAA Championships and was a CSCAA Scholar All-American. This season alone, Looney has won 11 races, including three in the Sun Devils' victory over No. 11 Cal in January. Looney is a prime example of achieving both excellence in the pool and the classroom. Not only has she catapulted onto the US National Team after an outstanding summer season, but she has solidified herself as a top NCAA contender by putting up multiple top times throughout this 2022-2023 season. She has also used her multiple skill sets to lead her younger teammates as ASU Women's Swimming Team Captain. In addition to her accomplishments in the pool, Looney has made an impact with her community service and her hard work in the classroom. Looney is a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house in Phoenix and the Dream Center at St. Vincent de Paul. Looney has been a Scholar-Athlete in every semester at ASU (3.00 GPA or higher) and has a 3.91 cumulative GPA.
.@Looney_LJ was zoomin' ?? pic.twitter.com/PuhfUAa5J9
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) March 18, 2023
LEXI SWEENEY/BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Lexi Sweeney, a senior from Phoenix, has been a four-year starter for the beach volleyball team and has been a captain for the previous two years. She is top 20 all-time in wins for the beach volleyball program and was named to the 2022 Pac-12 All-Tournament Team. Sweeney is the ultimate teammate. She may not be the most outspoken player, but she will outwork anyone on the court and in the weight room. She is a true leader who is always there for her teammates and makes sure that everyone fits in.
Lexi Sweeney is putting up the brick wall in set one?? #Pac12BVB
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 28, 2022
??: Pac-12 Network pic.twitter.com/1ME2XpkZ1P
ASHLEY MENNE/WOMEN'S GOLF
Ashley Menne, from Phoenix, is the top golfer on the women's golf team this year. She is a two-time All-American, an Honorable Mention All-American as a freshman, and competed in the Augusta National Women's Golf in 2022 will again in 2023. Menne placed fourth at the NCAA Championships as a freshman. Her coaches have seen her grow immensely as a person and a golfer to become the undisputed leader on the team. Menne is currently a junior studying sports business with a cumulative GPA of 3.62 and will graduate this May, earning her undergraduate degree in just three years.
1?? YEAR AGO ??
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) March 27, 2023
Ashley Menne made the cut at the 2022 @anwagolf and played iconic Augusta National Golf Course ??
She's back in Georgia and looking to do it again this year as the event starts Wednesday ?? pic.twitter.com/4SfZcSX3hg
HANNAH SCHARF/GYMNASTICS
Hannah Scharf has left an unforgettable mark on Sun Devil Gymnastics and the ASU community. No one could describe her impact better than her coach, Jay Santos.
"Hannah has been indispensable to our team over the last three and a half years; both athletically and as a leader. She is one of those special athletes that has an amazing combination of work ethic, dependability, competitive drive, extremely high standards and humility. It has been amazing to collaborate with her and she is truly enjoyable to coach and work with. Hannah has always been willing to put in the work to improve herself and the team. She pushes herself to be better, but she also works to push the team to greater success. She has accepted and embraced a leadership role on the team for multiple years and is willing to make the sacrifices needed to help others around her to improve as she pushes herself. Hannah is very humble and will celebrate her teammate's success just as much as her own."
Scharf has competed in the all-around for her entire career except for five meets, an incredible feat and shows her dedication and durability in our sport. However, it is not only her dependability that makes Scharf special; she competes at an elite level in NCAA gymnastics. She is a three-time All-American and a three-time first-team All-Pac-12 pick. Hannah has 14 career all-around titles in 41 career meets. She has also added 18 individual titles on top of the all-around titles. Hannah has a 3.32 GPA in medical studies and has plans to go into medical school after graduation.
#Pac12Gym Coaches Choice of the Week: Hannah Scharf, @SunDevilGym ??
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 7, 2023
Full release ?? https://t.co/X3C0XVxYz9#ForksUp | @PacPremierBank pic.twitter.com/69FGyYbKnu
KAYLON BUCKNER/LACROSSE
Buckner was one of the most impactful freshmen in the entire Pac-12 during her first season. She had an unbelievable college debut, being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week finishing with six caused turnovers, five draw controls, as well as picking up a ground ball, while also scoring the game-winning goal in the second half. She continued her stellar play into her sophomore season, scoring eleven goals in just eight games before her season was cut short. Buckner's junior season was a continuation of her on-the-field dominance. She played in all 16 games and started 14 and had a monster performance in a win against Oregon where she tied her career-high with four goals and had a season-high five draw controls. She also worked hard in the classroom, being named to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll. To wrap up her career with the Sun Devils, Buckner started in all 19 games of her senior season, ending with 48 draw controls and a career high of nine in a win against Cal. She also recorded 25 points on the season, with her 17 goals coming off of just 33 shots (51.5%). Buckner was also named to the 2022 IWLCA Division I Academic Honor Roll. Coming back for her final season, Buckner serves as a 2022-2023 team captain. In the classroom, Buckner has earned a 4.0 GPA in undergrad and master's (BS, Business Entrepreneurship; BS, Supply Chain Management; Certificate of Business Data Analytics; master's in digital audience strategy). She was also named to the Scholar Baller & Deans List for 9 semesters. Off of the field, Buckner has volunteered with FCAIA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes & Athletes in Action) with weekly attendance and consistent contribution, the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA, and coaches' lacrosse camps and clinics for Sun Devils Lacrosse Camps. Buckner interned with Enterprise as a management Trainee in 2021 and presented a corporate innovation project in front of senior-level leaders to conclude her internship, which resulted in a job offer. She recently accepted the job offer as a Supply Chain Trainee with SRS Distribution in Texas, to begin her post-grad career.
100 CLUB ????
— Sun Devil Lacrosse (@SunDevilWLax) March 11, 2023
Congratulations Kaylon Buckner for an outstanding career accomplishment as a Sun Devil! ??#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/9nVXN4CtsT
ALEXIA DELGADO/WOMEN'S SOCCER
Alexia Delgado, from Tepic, Mexico, has been a two-year captain for the soccer team. She was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team in her junior season and has played for the Mexican Women's National Team in the World Cup Qualifiers. She was instrumental in the transformation of the culture of the program and performs terrifically on and off the field for her team. Delgado was heavily involved with promoting opportunities for women in sports around the 50-year celebration of Title IX. She was a part of a panel of female athletes and female sports professionals that presented their journey and thoughts of how Title IX has influenced and impacted them.
"She is the epitome of what a captain should be and is without question the strongest leader that I have ever coached in my 20 years as a coach," said head coach Graham Winkworth. "This is echoed by her performance as a student achieving her master's degree in one year with a 3.89 GPA while playing for her country in world cup qualifying and a college season. She has made many sacrifices over the last five years to become the best soccer player, student, and young woman that she is today."
She's headed back to Liga MX Femenil! ????
— Sun Devil Soccer (@SunDevilSoccer) January 17, 2023
Delgado has signed with @AzulFemenil ??#ForksUp /// #SunDevil4Life pic.twitter.com/zWnGbd42F5
DOMENIKA TURKOVIC/WOMEN'S TNNIS
Domenika Turkovic is the Women's Tennis team captain and has been a great leader for the women's tennis team over the past two years. She is an extremely hard worker and a leader by example. Turkovic is playing #1 doubles and #2 singles for the Sun Devil team that is currently ranked #32 in the country. She and her partner, sophomore Patricija Spaka, were one of 32 duos to qualify for the NCAA Doubles Championships last year and are currently ranked #18 in the nation. Her stellar play last season helped propel the team to wins over USC, CAL(2x) and Stanford and finish runner-up in the Pac-12 Championships plus a Regional Final finish at the NCAA Team Championships. Domenika earned her degree in psychology last May with a perfect 4.0 GPA and is currently in the Sports Law and Business Graduate Program with a 3.67 Fall Semester GPA. Domenika is the women's tennis SAAC Rep for the second straight year and was a panelist during the EmpowHer Mental Health Event. Turkovic and the team took part in the Tempe Healing Fields, and she will be volunteering at the Carlisle Classic and the LPGA Drive.
"Domenika Turkovic is a great ambassador for Arizona State University" says head coach Sheila McInerney.
TICKET PUNCHED ????
— Arizona State Women's Tennis (@sundevilwtennis) May 3, 2022
Domenika Turkovic & Patricija Spaka are one of 3??2?? duos selected to compete in the NCAA Doubles Championships ??
??: https://t.co/EWPnMxV0ZR pic.twitter.com/qPJgvX3o3x
JENNA LEE/CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK AND FIELD
Jenna Lee, a senior, is a team captain for cross country and track. Lee is majoring in supply chain management, minoring in English linguistics, and working towards a certificate in digital business innovation. She has earned a 3.6 GPA, made the Dean's List seven times and has been named to the All-Academic Pac-12 Team three times. Lee is a member of the Barrett Honors College, and she is currently working on her honors thesis where she is analyzing the demographics of top 1000 male and female marathon runners in hopes of learning what characteristics those runners have in common. Lee was a Legends Scholars mentor where she encouraged and advised underprivileged Arizona high school students through the college application process. She also volunteers with the St Mary's food bank where she packs emergency food kits to provide over 1000 boxes for those in need.
"Lee drives a cohesive team culture by empowering individual teammates with weekly events and mentoring underclassmen," said head cross country coach and assistant track coach Ryan Ray. "She is a fantastic leader and makes a huge difference on the team and ASU at large."
Twins Jenna Lee of @SunDevilTFXC and Kayla Lee of @SunDevilGym both compete at college athletics' highest level while excelling in two different sports!
— Arizona State University (@ASU) November 22, 2022
Hear their story. ?? https://t.co/jhiBdKGF21 pic.twitter.com/L0Ab9tiagc
MEADOW COOPER/VOLLEYBALL
Meadow Cooper, a junior, has played in 53 matches throughout her two seasons as a Sun Devil. Meadow is a dedicated student majoring in business sustainability with a certificate in sustainable food systems. Meadow currently holds an internship with SolarSpell, a company that works with ASU to provide access to online learning in places where electricity is not available. She worked to create lesson plans for farmers in Zimbabwe, teaching them how to sustain their families through conservation farming. Meadow has a true love for community and national sustainability that has translated directly to helping others through her internship. Lee is also interested in studying winemaking and has an internship lined up with a winery in California to learn about the process.
"Meadow is an exceptional young lady both on and off the volleyball court. She is as passionate about engaging with the Sun Devil community as she is winning matches," said head coach JJ Van Niel. "Meadow exemplifies what it means to be a Sun Devil: championship performer, maintains integrity, upholds Sun Devil tradition, and is on track to graduate with a 3.3+ GPA. She looks to find opportunities to connect outside of the Sun Devil Athletics circle because she understands how her degree from Arizona State will carry her beyond the world of sports. She is a great, positive mentor to our freshmen and looks to fill the room with joy with her unparalleled comedic timing."
How about @meadow_cooper with the ace for the win??? ?? pic.twitter.com/jmcc0z8bms
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) October 30, 2021
LARA KISS/WATER POLO
Lara Kiss, from Budapest, Hungary, is a senior captain on the water polo team. Kiss is a 2022 All-Conference player and arguably the best 2-meter defender in the NCAA. In the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), which is the toughest water polo conference in the country, Kiss is currently second in assists, first in steals, second in field blocks, second in assists per game, first in steals per game, and second in field blocks per game. Kiss doesn't only have a high water polo IQ but she is excellent in the classroom as well. She is majoring in psychology and has earned a 3.89 GPA despite English being her second language of four that she speaks.
"Lara is an outstanding student and athlete," said head coach Petra Pardi. "She is a hard worker and the dedicated leader of our program."
FIRE US UP LARA ?? pic.twitter.com/Ud58z4e6Ml
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) April 9, 2022