Crile Hart, a junior from Kenyon College, was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Swimming & Diving as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda. This is her second finalist honor as she was also named a finalist her freshman season.
The CWSA has been balancing the recognition of deserving honorees with these unusual times as collegiate athletics have come to a halt. Given the nationwide pandemic, the CWSA will be announcing the winter honorees, the 2020 Inspiration Award finalists and winner and will soon announce the status of the 2020 event as those details become clearer.
The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Swimmer of the Year, Hart was a three-time individual event winner in the 2020 NCAC Championship setting three pool records and three conference records. She also broke the national record in the 200-yard individual medley and is now the fourth Ladies swimmer to earn the conference's top award twice in her career. Hart was heading to the NCAA DIII National Championship to compete in seven events before the Championship was canceled.
Hailing from Pepper Pike, Ohio, Hart has garnered 14 All-America honors so far in her three-year career and has captured eight career national titles during the 2018 and 2019 Championships.
“Crile continues to impress, and surprise, me as a coach,” said head coach Jess Book. “Yes, she does things in the water that are extraordinary (she was the top seeded swimmer in six events for this year’s NCAA Championship!). But Crile does so much more than that. She is among the most joyful and playful of the swimmers on our team. She exhibits a strong love for the water (she is often the last out of the pool - as she finds ways to stay in and play when practice is over). She loves the work that goes into getting better. And most of all, she loves her team. I am excited to see Crile nominated for this award, and believe she is highly deserving of it. But more so I am excited to have another year to work with her and to see her continue to grow and play as a swimmer.”
The Honda Sports finalists are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.
THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 44 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 $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
Honda also is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where it does business, conducting socially responsible business practices and promoting diversity in its workforce. From Honda's involvement in STEM education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to its support of pediatric brain tumor research and volunteer efforts by Honda associates, including environmental clean-up activities, Honda believes in giving back to the communities where its associates live and work. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.