LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced 10 finalists for the 2026 NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award Thursday and Bethany's Olivia Sanborn was selected from Region IX. 

The award annually honors the outstanding athletic achievement of freshmen in NCAA Division III. The regional finalists and the winner are chosen by the NFCA Division III All-America Committee, which includes one representative for each of the 10 regions. To be eligible, student-athletes must come from an NFCA-member institution. This year's winner will be announced May 26 at NFCA.org and on the Association's social media accounts.

The Divison III Freshman of the Year finalist announcement adds to an impressive list of accolades for Sanborn this season, who was named both UMAC Player and Rookie of the Year, as well as First Team All-Region. Sanborn led the UMAC with 44 stolen bases this season - 21 more than the next player - and tied the program's single season stolen base record with Sydney Jacobs (2024). Sanborn was second in the league with a .467 batting average, 57 hits, 49 runs, and four triples, and third with a .537 on base percentage. Her .537 on base percentage ranks second in program history for a single season while her .467 batting average ranks third.