From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis junior Paige Lawler was named the Division III Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Cross Country as announced by the Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
Lawler is one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year honor. The award is voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 43rd year.
The Honda Sports nominees are recognized from 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports: cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball and track & field.
Lawler ran to the 2018 NCAA Division III Individual Women's Cross Country National Title while leading the Bears to their second national championship in program history. She was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women's National Athlete of the Year.
The Lexington, Mass.-native became the first Bear to run to an individual title in program history and was also the first USTFCCCA Women's Cross Country National Athlete of the Year.
In total, WashU athletics has had five previous recipients of the DIII Honda Award. Lawler is looking to join the exclusive club of Lizzy Crist (women's soccer, 2017), Tasha Rodgers (women's basketball, 2001), Alia Fischer (women's basketball, 2000), Shelley Swan (volleyball, 1996) and Amy Albers (volleyball, 1995).
THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation's top NCAA women athletes for 43 years, recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.1 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women's athletics programs at the institutions.