Northridge’s Brinton Named Division II Top Woman Athlete

Angela Brinton of Cal State Northridge has been selected winner of the first Broderick Award as the top woman athlete in Division II it was announced Tuesday.

Brinton, a two-time All-American setter on the CSUN volleyball team, was among 10 nominees for the award, which was decided in national balloting by athletic directors.

“I was excited to hear about it,” Brinton said, “but I was also pretty shocked. I didn’t know I’d be up for an award like that.”

Brinton led Northridge to a national championship in 1987, winning numerous honors in the process. She made 3 all-tournament teams, was California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Player of the Year and All-West region and Division II Player of the Year.

Since completing her eligibility last season, Brinton has continued her schooling at Northridge. She is working on a degree in physical education with an emphasis in kinesiology and is due to graduate in May.

While continuing her education, Brinton coached girls’ volleyball at her alma mater, Glendale High, where she guided an inexperienced team to a third-place finish in the Pacific League. She plays volleyball only recreationally.

Brinton will receive the Broderick Award at a banquet held in conjunction with the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. convention Jan. 10 in San Francisco.

Jessica Beachy, a basketball player from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., was named Division III Athlete of the Year. Marie Roethlisberger, a deaf All-American gymnast from the University of Minnesota, won the Inspirational Award.