Outstanding Career at UVA

Gretchen Walsh, a standout swimmer for the University of Virginia, has been awarded the prestigious Honda Cup, recognizing her as the 2025 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. This honor marks the culmination of a remarkable collegiate career that includes a total of 25 NCAA event titles, nine of which were earned in individual competitions.

A Historic Accomplishment

Walsh is the ninth swimmer to receive the Honda Cup and the first since Simone Manuel in 2018. Her exceptional performance not only highlights her dedication to the sport but also solidifies her position as one of the elite athletes in collegiate athletics.

Finalists and Selection Process

In a competitive selection process, Walsh was chosen from a group of three finalists, which included UConn’s Paige Bueckers, a standout basketball player, and Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady, a commendable softball pitcher. The finalists were determined through votes from nearly 1,000 NCAA member institutions, and the final decision for the Honda Cup winner was made by the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards board.

National and International Achievements

During her tenure at UVA, Walsh led the team to win the NCAA women’s swimming title in 2025, contributing three individual championships. Her accomplishments extend beyond collegiate swimming; at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she secured two gold medals along with two silvers, while also breaking two world records.

Her academic excellence has been recognized with the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in swimming and diving for two consecutive years, showcasing her commitment both in the pool and in the classroom.

Future Aspirations

“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,” said Chris Voel, executive director of the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards.

Previous Winners

Before Walsh, Caitlin Clark won the Honda Cup in the previous two years. The honor has been awarded to notable swimmers in the past, including Jill Sterkel (1981), Tracy Caulkins (1982, 1984), Mary T. Meagher (1987), Cristina Teuscher (2000), Tara Kirk (2004), Missy Franklin (2015), Katie Ledecky (2017), and Simone Manuel (2018).