Deniz Khazan (Tennis, Barry University), Shanna McBroom (Softball, West Texas A&M University), Danielle Melilli (Swimming & Diving, Queens University of Charlotte), Ida Narbuvoll (Track & Field, University of Mary), Kiira Riijijarvi (Golf, University of Tampa), Paige Robinson (Basketball, Drury University) and Peyton Romig (Lacrosse, University of Indianapolis), were named DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalists as announced by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
While a DII Honda Athlete of the Year will not be selected due to the lack of full competition and honors this year, the finalists will be recognized on the 2021 CWSA Honda Awards broadcast on CBS Sports Network on June 28, 2021, (6 pm PT /9 pm EST).
“Though there was incomplete competition due to the pandemic, CWSA nonetheless wanted to recognize the accomplishments of those outstanding DII student athletes who were able to compete, “ said CWSA Executive Director Chris Voelz.
Khazan, a junior hailing from Netanya, Israel, led Barry University to its fourth straight DII National Championship title after defeating the top-ranked player in the nation at No. 1 singles. She then moved into the top ranking herself in the final ITA DII national rankings. A first-team All-SSC honoree, she did not lose in singles all season going 11-0 and combined to finish 10-1 in doubles on the year.
McBroom, a redshirt senior Catcher from Sachse, Texas, and was named the 2021 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II Player of the Year and 2021 NFCA DII Catcher of the Year. She led West Texas A&M to its second national title in program history. The two-time All-American hit .429 on the season with 13 doubles, eight trips, seven home runs and drove in 37 runs. ranks in the Top 10 in program history in hits, triples, home runs, at-bats, runs and game played.
A native Norwegian, Narbuvoll was named the 2021 USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and the 2021 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. Most recently, she also earned the title of University of Mary senior 2021 North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NDAPSSA) College Female Athlete of the Year as a two-time spring national champion.
From Douglasville, Ga., Melilli is a sophomore swimmer excelling in the breaststroke and freestyle for Queens University. She was the 2021 Bluegrass Mountain Conference Female Swimmer of the Year and the 2021 CSCAA Female Swimmer of the Meet at the NCAA DII Championships. She led her team to its sixth straight NCAA DII National Championship title and won two individual national titles in the 100-Yard Breaststroke and 50-Yard Freestyle.
A junior hailing from Oulu, Finland, Riijijarvi was named the 2021 WGCA National Player of the Year for the second year in a row and earned her second first-team All-American nod. Additionally, she is a two-time SSC Golfer of the Year and two-time first-team All-Conference honoree. She concluded her career at Tampa with 10 individual medalist performances and finished below par in four tournaments this season.
Robinson, a junior guard from Bethany, Ill. Competing for Drury, was named the 2021 WBCA NCAA DII Player of the Year and was honored with the Ron Lenz Award as the national Player of the Year in DII by the D2CCA. The 2021 GLVC Player of the Year, she led the league in scoring averaging 21.1 points per game. She posted only the second triple-double in program history when she put up 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in December.
A senior from Carthage, N.Y., Romig was the 2021 IWLCA DII Player of the Year. The midfielder is the all-time draw control leader at the University of Indianapolis, after corralling 200 draw controls, the highest total in Division II this year. Romig also added 29 goals, 25 assists, 34 ground balls, and 19 caused turnovers. She was previously named the 2021 GLVC Midfielder of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-Conference selection.
The CWSA, celebrating its 45th anniversary year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on improving children’s health, inspiring underrepresented students, preserving the environment for future generations, creating safety for everyone, and strengthening our communities. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.