Gretchen Walsh, a renowned swimmer from Virginia, received the distinguished title of Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year during the 49th Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) celebration. She was also the honored recipient of the respected Honda Cup. The Honda Sports Award, granted annually by CWSA, is bestowed upon top-performing female athletes in 12 NCAA-approved sports, marking them as ‘the pinnacle of college athletics’.
Every year, the 12 award recipients are meticulously selected through a voting process involving administrators from more than 1,000 NCAA partner institutions. This selection leads to the grand competition for the Honda Cup’s top three spots. Many memorable past winners, including prominent figures such as Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Rachel Garcia, Misty May, Mia Hamm, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, have had the honor of receiving this award.
Walsh is the second athlete from the Cavalier community to clinch the Honda Cup, following in the footsteps of Dawn Staley. She is the first ACC athlete to land the award since the legendary Mia Hamm in 1994. Her name also becomes the ninth amongst swimmers to be associated with the Honda Cup, entering an elite group that consists of Simone Manuel, Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin, Tara Kirk, Christina Teuscher, Mary T. Meagher, Tracy Caulkins, and Jill Sterkel.
The 2025 Honda Cup presentation was carried out virtually by Monica Oliverio, Honda’s VP of General Administration, and awarded to Gretchen Walsh. The competition was tough, with finalists including Paige Bueckers and NiJaree Canady. Walsh etched historical records as the first Cavalier to reach the renowned Top Three.
Walsh has etched her name indelibly in the annals of collegiate swimming. Her achievements have positioned her amongst the most decorated swimmers in collegiate sports history. Throughout her four-season journey at Virginia, she played a pivotal role, consistently helping her team secure the NCAA team title.
In the year 2025 alone, she successfully secured seven NCAA titles. Her career has been illustrious, contributing to 25 overall NCAA Championship titles, of which nine wins were her individual conquests. However, Walsh’s influence permeates well beyond the NCAA boundaries.
Walsh holds an impressive tally of 17 world records and 38 American records. Her resounding success was visible at the 2024 Paris Olympics where she claimed four medals, setting two world records in relays and one personal Olympic record. Her performances have added immense credibility to her swimming career.
Further underlining her global prowess in the water, Walsh triumphed at the 2024 World Aquatics 25m Championships, bagging an incredible seven world titles. Just last month, at the US National Championships, she stood at the top of the podium three times, and once at the second, demonstrating her enduring competitive spirit.
Besides her noteworthy achievements in the pool, Walsh has also gained recognition for her academic dedication. She is a triple recipient of the CSC Academic All-American award and a double winner of the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Her commitment to academics is as relentless as her athletic commitment.
Walsh, in May, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the revered McIntire School of Commerce, having also opted to minor in mathematics. The balance she maintains between her athletic and academic pursuits is truly commendable, showcasing her all-round talent.
During the CWSA awards, nine more illustrious athletes were acknowledged with the Honda Sports Awards for their spectacular performances in individual sports. The list of honorees included Olivia Babcock, Jordan Bowers, Aaliyah Butler, NiJaree Canady, Kate Faasse, Chloe Humphrey, Maria José Marin, Doris Lemngole, Darja Vidmanova, and Maddie Zimmer.
The CWSA has, for nearly five decades, been the platform recognizing and honoring top female NCAA athletes nationwide. These selected athletes shine not only in their respective sports but also display extraordinary leadership skills, show exemplary academic dedication, and express a keen willingness to contribute to community service.
Gretchen Walsh’s achievements embody what the CWSA and the Honda Cup represent – athletic prowess, academic dedication, leadership qualities, and a commitment to community service. Her journey and triumphs, both in the pool and outside it, have been recognized and celebrated through this prestigious award.
Walsh’s success story, as well as stories like hers, underscores the importance of academic institutions and organizations like CWSA in fostering talent, recognizing achievements, and driving young athletes towards their full potential. It is both a testament to their dedication and efforts and an encouragement to aspiring athletes in college sports.
Whether it’s breaking world records in swimming, excelling acadically, or showing leadership in the community, Gretchen Walsh is a prime example of a well-rounded student athlete. Her accomplishments highlight the endless possibilities when talent, hard work, and dedication come together in collegiate sports.