A press release from Vilignia University contributed to this report.
University of Virginia Junior Gretchen Walsh Named Honda Sport Award Winner in Swimming and Diving by The Collegiate Women Sports Awards. This marks the third consecutive year that a Virginia swimmer has won this award. kate douglas They won each of the last two times.
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA to the top female athletes in 12 NCAA-recognized sports for the past 48 years and stands for “the best of the best in collegiate athletics.” The sports award winners will be named Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year and finalists for the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup and will be announced live on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network. New home in New York City.
Walsh was selected by a vote of administrators from more than 1,000 NCAA member schools.Also includes finalists bella sims (Florida), diver Aranza Vázquez Montano (North Carolina) and his sister. alex walsh (Virginia).
“This award means the world to me,” Walsh said. “Overall, my performance this year, and the performance of this year's UVA team, has been historic. I'm really happy to be able to represent my school on perhaps the biggest stage in women's sports. I'm honored and excited to be considered for Honda Athlete of the Year.”
Walsh is a junior and two-time Honda Award finalist. She set the fastest times ever in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly races, earned her three NCAA individual titles, and won the 2024 CSCAA National Championship of the Year. Selected as the best swimmer. She also swam in all four of her team's championship relays at UVA (200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay).
The Nashville, Tenn., native helped Virginia win four straight NCAA championships.
Overall, she is an 18-time NCAA Champion, 21-time CSCAA National Champion, 16-time ACC Champion, and 21-time All-ACC honoree. She led the Cavaliers to five straight ACC Championships and was named the 2024 ACC Championship Swimmer of the Year.
Outside of the pool, she was recently named the 2024 ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Women's Swimming and Diving.
Now in its 48th year, the CWSA has recognized the nation's top NCAA female athletes for their athletic excellence, leadership, academic excellence and commitment to community service. Since the partnership began in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to awardee and candidate universities to support women's athletics programs.
Other 2024 Sports Award Winners/Honda Cup Nominees
The swimmer has won the Honda Cup nine times. Simone Manuel won in 2018, Katie Ledecky won in 2017, Missy Franklin won in 2015, Tara Kirk won in 2004, Christina Teuscher won in 200, Mary Ledecky won in 1987. T. Meagher won, Tracy Caulkins won in 1982 and 1984 (tied), and Jill Starkel won in 1981.
- Swimming – Gretchen Walsh
- Basketball – Caitlin Clark, Iowa
- Volleyball – Madisen Skinner, Texas
- Field Hockey – Riley Heck, North Carolina
- Soccer – Oney Echeghini, Florida State
- Cross Country – Parker Valby, Florida
