Taylor Cummings, a senior midfielder from the University of Maryland, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for lacrosse for the third time in her career 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 40 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. With this honor, Cummings becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2016 Honda Cup which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 27, 2016, in the Founders’ Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los, Angeles.
Cummings was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Alice Mercer (Maryland), Barbara Sullivan (Notre Dame) and Kayla Treanor (Syracuse).
“It’s an incredible honor to win the prestigious Honda Award again, “ said Cummings. “My successes on the field wouldn’t have been possible without the support and encouragement from my coaches, teammates and family. I’ve had the best four years of my life in College Park and I’m forever grateful to be a Terp.”
Cummings has won the Honda Sport Award for Lacrosse for the last three straight seasons. The senior midfielder is also the first player ever – man or woman – to win three Tewaaraton Awards. She is a four-time IWLCA first-team All-American and a two-time Big Ten Midfielder of the Year. In addition, she has been named to the All-Conference first-team for three straight years along with three nods on the NCAA All-Tournament team.
Hailing from Ellicott City, Md., she finished 2016 with a team-leading 62 ground balls, 144 draw controls and 52 caused turnovers. She also added 79 points on 60 goals and 19 assists.
“We are so proud of Taylor and the incredible career she had at Maryland, ” stated head coach Cathy Reese. “She’s a truly special player and person, and was a great leader for the team. This is a tremendous honor for both Taylor and our program.”
The CWSA, celebrating its 40th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes 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 $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.