Parker Valby, a senior from the University of Florida cross country team, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for Cross Country as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 PM ET, from its new home in New York City.
Valby was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Doris Lemngole (Alabama), Hilda Olemomoi (Alabama) and Olivia Markezich (Notre Dame).
“It is an honor to win this year’s Honda Sport Award and represent the sport of Cross Country and the University of Florida,” stated Valby. “I am grateful for coaches and family who have supported me along the way!”
Valby was the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Individual Champion after finishing runner-up in 2022, and is a two-time Honda Award finalist for Cross Country.
The junior hailing from Tampa, Fla., was most recently named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women’s Athlete of the Year and is a three-time USTFCCCA All-American in Cross Country. A two-time SEC Women’s Runner of the Year, she captured back-to-back SEC individual title and is a three-time SEC All-First Team honoree.
This season she had four first place finishes, including 1st place at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational during the regular season.
Off the course, she is a three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic and a SEC Fall Academic honoree.
“What an incredible Honor for Parker to win the Honda Sport Award for Cross Country,” said head coach Mike Holloway. “Winning this award is a testament to Parker’s and Coach Palmer’s hard work and dedication to their craft.”
“The Honda Sport Award is incredibly prestigious and it means Parker is considered one of the 12 best female athletes across all sports,” added Assistant Coach Samantha Palmer. “What an honor! This further validates the incredible season she put together. She’s been a joy to work with every step of the way and I’m excited to continue this journey with her.”
The CWSA, entering its 48th 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 the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.