Former University of Hawai'i swimmer Franziska Weidner was one of 148 student-athletes chosen by NCAA conference and a selection committee as a nominee for the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The nominees were selected from a pool of 585 school nominees which also included Rainbow Wahine softball pitcher Brittany Hitchcock. 
 
Weidner, who completed her eligibility in 2018, was one of two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation representatives along with San Jose State gymnast Stephanie Relova. A native of Nurenberg, Germany, Weidner was a three-time MPSF Swimmer of the Year and earned All-America honors during her senior year. She was also a three-time all-academic recipient and winner of the school's Jack Bonham Award, given to the top senior student-athlete. 
 
The nominees represent college athletes from 20 sports spanning all three NCAA divisions. Of the nominees, 64 competed in Division I, 33 competed in Division II and 51 competed in Division III.
 
The Top 30 honorees, comprising 10 women from each division, will be named by the Woman of the Year selection committee in September. The selection committee will then narrow the pool to nine finalists — with three from each division — in early October. From those finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will select the 2019 Woman of the Year.
 
The 2019 Woman of the Year will be named, and the Top 30 honorees will be celebrated, at the annual banquet Oct. 20 in Indianapolis.
 
The NCAA Woman of the Year program has recognized graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership since its inception in 1991.