Latest news with #CollegiateWomenSportsAwards
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Gretchen Walsh wins Honda Cup as top women's college sports athlete
Swimmer Gretchen Walsh won the Honda Cup, given to the nation's top women's college sports athlete, to cap an extraordinary last year. Walsh was named the winner over fellow finalists Paige Bueckers (basketball, University of Connecticut) and NiJaree Canady (softball, Texas Tech). The Collegiate Women Sports Awards board of directors chose the recipient after nearly 1,000 member schools voted to determine the finalists. Walsh recently graduated from the University of Virginia, where she rewrote the college swimming record book. This past March, she won three individual titles and was part of four winning relay teams at her final NCAA Championships. She broke her own NCAA and American records in the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly and tied her own NCAA and American records in the 50-yard freestyle. In all, Walsh won 25 NCAA titles at Virginia, including nine in individual events. Swimmers can participate in no more than three individual events at NCAAs each year. Also in the past 13 months, Walsh broke the 100m butterfly world record three times, made her first Olympic team, won four medals in Paris, won seven gold medals and broke 11 world records at December's short course worlds and made the team for this summer's worlds in four individual events. 'It's weird now with my personal records being the fastest of all time,' Walsh said after being named the Honda Cup winner. 'It's been totally a different mental game for myself, and I've had to approach the sport differently, but I really enjoy a challenge. That's what sports are about. So I'm looking forward to breaking more world records, hopefully, and getting up on the podium at worlds because I've never made the top of the podium at a summer world championship, so that's a new goal of mine.' Caitlin Clark won the previous two Honda Cups when she played basketball at the University of Iowa. Walsh is the first swimmer to win since a stretch from 2015 to 2018 when Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel won. Nick Zaccardi,
Washington Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh wins the Honda Cup, given to top female college athlete
NEW YORK — Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh won the Honda Cup, given annually to the country's top female college athlete, on Monday night. She's the ninth swimmer to win the award and first since Simone Manuel in 2018. 'This year's Honda Cup winner, Gretchen Walsh, is nothing short of world-class,' said Chris Voelz, executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. 'Her performance at the national championships was extraordinary — shattering collegiate, American and even world records.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh wins the Honda Cup, given to top female college athlete
NEW YORK (AP) — Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh won the Honda Cup, given annually to the country's top female college athlete, on Monday night. She's the ninth swimmer to win the award and first since Simone Manuel in 2018. 'This year's Honda Cup winner, Gretchen Walsh, is nothing short of world-class,' said Chris Voelz, executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. 'Her performance at the national championships was extraordinary — shattering collegiate, American and even world records. 'We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments both in the pool and in the classroom, and we look forward to watching her continue to rise as she prepares for the World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games. We're thrilled to welcome Gretchen to the CWSA family, joining the elite group of swimmers who have earned this prestigious honor before her.' The other two finalists for the award were UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers and Texas Tech softball pitcher NiJaree Canady. The top three were determined by votes from nearly 1,000 NCAA member schools, with the final Honda Cup recipient selected by the CWSA board of directors. Caitlin Clark won the award the previous two years. Walsh was a two-time Honda Award winner for swimming and diving. She helped Virginia to its fourth straight NCAA team title. She won seven NCAA championships this year, including the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and concluded her collegiate career with 25 NCAA titles (nine individual). She was 16 for 16 in NCAA relay finals in her career. Walsh is the second Honda Cup winner from Virginia. Basketball star Dawn Staley won the award in 1991. In addition to their athletic performance, the Honda Cup honors college athletes for their leadership, academics and community service. ___ AP sports:
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh wins the Honda Cup, given to top female college athlete
NEW YORK (AP) — Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh won the Honda Cup, given annually to the country's top female college athlete, on Monday night. She's the ninth swimmer to win the award and first since Simone Manuel in 2018. 'This year's Honda Cup winner, Gretchen Walsh, is nothing short of world-class,' said Chris Voelz, executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. 'Her performance at the national championships was extraordinary — shattering collegiate, American and even world records. 'We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments both in the pool and in the classroom, and we look forward to watching her continue to rise as she prepares for the World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games. We're thrilled to welcome Gretchen to the CWSA family, joining the elite group of swimmers who have earned this prestigious honor before her.' The other two finalists for the award were UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers and Texas Tech softball pitcher NiJaree Canady. The top three were determined by votes from nearly 1,000 NCAA member schools, with the final Honda Cup recipient selected by the CWSA board of directors. Caitlin Clark won the award the previous two years. Walsh was a two-time Honda Award winner for swimming and diving. She helped Virginia to its fourth straight NCAA team title. She won seven NCAA championships this year, including the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and concluded her collegiate career with 25 NCAA titles (nine individual). She was 16 for 16 in NCAA relay finals in her career. Walsh is the second Honda Cup winner from Virginia. Basketball star Dawn Staley won the award in 1991. In addition to their athletic performance, the Honda Cup honors college athletes for their leadership, academics and community service. ___ AP sports:
