In a remarkable achievement, Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh has been honored with the Honda Cup, celebrated annually as the most prestigious accolade for the country’s leading female college athlete. Walsh’s victory marks her as the ninth swimmer to receive this distinguished award, the first swimmer to achieve this since Simone Manuel did so in 2018.
Chris Voelz, the executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA), praised Walsh’s achievements, stating, “This year’s Honda Cup winner, Gretchen Walsh, is nothing short of world-class. Her performance at the national championships was extraordinary, breaking collegiate, American, and even world records. We are incredibly proud of her accolades both in the aquatic arena and in academic pursuits. We anticipate witnessing her continued ascent as she gears up for the World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games. It is an honor to welcome Gretchen into the elite CWSA family, joining the prominent lineage of swimmers awarded this prestigious recognition.”
In the final selection, Walsh competed against two formidable athletes: UConn basketball standout Paige Bueckers and NiJaree Canady, a celebrated softball pitcher from Texas Tech. The top three finalists were chosen through the votes of nearly 1,000 NCAA member institutions, with the ultimate recipient of the Honda Cup being selected by the CWSA board of directors. Notably, Caitlin Clark had held the award for the previous two consecutive years.
Gretchen Walsh’s illustrious track record includes being a two-time Honda Award recipient for swimming and diving. Under her exceptional leadership, she propelled the University of Virginia to capture its fourth consecutive NCAA team championship title. This year alone, Walsh clinched seven NCAA titles, securing victories in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard butterfly. Her collegiate tenure concluded with a remarkable tally of 25 NCAA titles, nine of which were earned in individual categories, and she maintained a perfect record in NCAA relay finals, going 16 for 16 throughout her career.
Walsh becomes the second Virginia athlete to seize the honor of the Honda Cup, following in the footsteps of legendary basketball star Dawn Staley, who won the award in 1991. Beyond athletic success, the Honda Cup also commends college athletes for their leadership capabilities, academic achievements, and contributions to community service activities.