Wings of Gold: Meet the three finalists for Sun Devil Athletics' prestigious Heather Farr Award

TEMPE — Excellence, championship pedigree and perseverance define this year's set of Heather Farr Award finalists. Charli Brown (Swim & Dive), Olivia Coleman (Soccer) and Naomi Ruff (Triathlon) are this year's top three for the prestigious award, being recognized for their commitment to their respective sports and their accomplishments outside of their athletic achievements. 

The Wings of Gold ceremony, an annual event hosted by the Sun Devil Club, will take place on Monday, March 31. The Heather Farr Award was named in honor of one of the most successful female student-athletes in school history. Farr passed away in November 1993 after a long, valiant fight against breast cancer. This award honors her legacy of what it means to be a great Sun Devil student-athlete. 

Each woman's team submits a nomination for the award. The nominees this year were Arden Besecker (beach volleyball), Maggie Besselink (basketball), Charli Brown (swimming), Olivia Coleman (soccer), Kelsey Hall (softball), Alex Johnson (track and field), Sanne Keijzer (water polo), Jada Mangahas (gymnastics), Kate and Kylie Miller (cross country), Lydia Oldknow (lacrosse), Naomi Ruff (triathlon), Mary Shroll (volleyball), Patricija Spaka (tennis) and Grace Summerhays (golf).

Meet the three finalists:

Charli Brown

Senior Charli Brown has endured a unique journey to be a Heather Farr Award finalist nomination. Roughly 8,000 miles away from her home country of Australia, Brown has found a second home in Tempe as a sports business major on the Sun Devil Swim & Dive program. 

In Federal Way, Washington, the senior won three Big 12 championships, including the individual title in the 200-yard individual medley, as well as two titles in the 400-yard freestyle relay and the 800-yard freestyle relay. She placed second in the 400-yard individual medley.

Brown also swam in the NCAA Championships, competing in the 400- and 800-yard freestyle relays and the 200- and 400 IM, and the 200 back last week.

The Australian moved to Tempe during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Brown credits her current and former teammates for helping her start her collegiate swimming career and life in a new country in such challenging conditions.

Hana Edwards, Brown's teammate, roommate, and best friend, as well as former teammate Nora Deleske, were pivotal figures in Charli's adjustment to America.

"Hana and her family moved me into the dorms, some of the fifth years too, specifically Nora Deleske," Brown said. "That kind of family that she created - it's not always about the swimming. It's about how you feel with the girls around you. I really hope that we've carried that forward so the younger girls can say that as well."

Brown experienced a difficult time adjusting to life in a new country when first arriving in Tempe, stating that she was frequently sick, affecting her swim performances. 

"My times weren't very good, and it was a little bit disheartening because obviously I've just come across the world, and I'm really trying to do my best," the senior said. 

However, after she found her footing, things looked up for the talented swimmer. "It started to come together, day by day," Brown said. "I reset some of my goals, and I was inspired to have this opportunity. These challenges have really opened a lot more opportunities for me."

Inspired by her former and current teammates, the Australian is grateful to be nominated for the award. 

"I was really excited and honored," Brown said. "It means a lot just knowing the history behind the award and what it stands for, all the amazing women who have been nominated as well; it is exciting. It's nice that we can all kind of be recognized together and celebrated as a group of women."


Olivia Coleman 

Olivia Coleman's journey of academic and athletic achievements is simply inspirational. Being a senior in the Sports Law and Business Master's program at Arizona State University has made her known for her academic strength and determination, as well as her resilience to staying committed to the team.

Born in Austin, Texas, Coleman expressed her passion for soccer at the age of 10 when her cousin also discovered the sport. By eighth grade, she had begun the recruiting process, but tragedy struck during her freshman year of high school when she tore her ACL. Coleman's journey became lengthy and difficult after this injury, as she went on to tear her ACL two more times during her high school career and again for a fourth time in her freshman year at ASU. 

Coleman's dreams of playing soccer collegiately were challenged after suffering three ACL tears, but ASU's coaching staff took a chance on her without needing to see her play during her injuries and offered her a scholarship. Deciding to have faith in her journey playing soccer, Coleman accepted the offer to play for the Sun Devils. 

"When my sport was stripped from me for basically four years, I had to figure out who I was outside of soccer," Coleman said. "It made me more humble. When you come back after not playing for a year, you're actually horrible. It makes you appreciate where you are at the moment."

Coleman's ACL tears shaped her life not only as an athlete but also as a person. Being injured forced her to learn patience and gain a new perspective on soccer as she learned to separate herself from her sport. 

After being part of the program and playing for the Sun Devils for several years, Coleman has had the opportunity to observe former teammates Gabi Rennie and Alexia Delgado, who were both nominated for the Heather Farr Award, and understand what it takes to be an inspiration.

"They really cared about the success of our team and the success of the girls," Coleman said. 

She makes it clear that young female athletes who are dealing with injuries or setbacks should have faith in themselves and remain dedicated. 

"You can tear your ACL once, twice, three times, even four times, and you can still figure it out," she said. "If I can do it, you can do it." 

The Heather Farr Award encompasses what it means to be a leader on and off the field. These women represent the excellence of Sun Devil student-athletes and serve as an inspiration for young women across the world who are looking to become student-athletes.


Naomi Ruff

Junior Naomi Ruff has had one of the best seasons in Sun Devil Triathlon history, becoming the individual champion in every race she competed in this season. The West Chicago, Ill. native took home the Collegiate Triathlon Individual National Championship in Clermont, Florida, in November 2024, posting a race time of 59:08, beating her next closest opponent by 12 seconds. 

The triathlon standout is also pursuing a dual major in marketing and accounting from the W. P. Carey School of Business. Ruff credits former teammate and Heather Farr Award finalist Audrey Ernst as an inspiration to keep pushing for excellence in school and athletics. 

Similar to Ruff, Ernst was a double major. Ernst graduated summa cum laude, as well as earning three College Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) Scholar All-America recognitions. 

"She [Ernst] was super great to look up to; now I feel like it's come full circle," Ruff said. "I remember being a freshman and going to this event and looking up to all the girls, and now being the one getting recognized means a lot."

Prior to taking home an NCAA National Championship, the Sun Devil junior also won the West Regional Qualifier in Springfield, Missouri. This victory contributed to her being recognized for CTCA All-Region Honors for the second time in her collegiate career. 

When reminiscing about her achievements as a Sun Devil, Ruff's dedication to her team and her unwavering bond with the girls are the fuel to her success. 

"We'd won seven-straight national championships, and being a part of two of those has been a such a cool experience. Just knowing that you have all your teammates behind you when you get on a start line is so awesome, and to hug at the end of the race is one of my favorite parts of the whole experience." Ruff said.