Rena Lin, a graduate student from the University of Chicago, was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Tennis as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
Lin is designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be 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 48th year.
“It’s an incredible honor to be named a finalist for this award,” said Lin. “Thank you to Honda and the CWSA for their continued support for collegiate women’s sports. This year, I played more for my teammates and my school rather than for myself, so really, I share this honor with and dedicate it to them.”
Lin captured the 2024 NCAA Singles title and entered the Championship as the top seed overall. With wins at No. 1 singles and doubles, she also helped her team capture the 2024 NCAA Championship team title. For her efforts, she is a 2024 First Team All-American in both singles and doubles.
Earlier in the season, she had wins at both No. 1 singles and doubles en route to helping her team to its third straight University Athletic Association (UAA) Conference Championship. The graduate student earned 2024 First-Team All-UAA honors.
Hailing from Granada Hills, Calif., she finished the year 17-0 in singles play, or 22-0 including the NCAA Individual Championship, and went 19-4 in doubles.
Most recently, Lin was named a Collegiate Sports Communicator (CSC) First Team Academic All-American.
“What Rena was able to accomplish this year was nothing short of extraordinary and historic”, stated head coach and UAA Coach of the Year Jay Tee. “Beginning in the fall, Rena teamed with Oliwia Mikos to win the ITA National Doubles Championship and followed it up by helping to lead her team to UChicago's first women's NCAA Championship in school history. Three short days later, she again made history by capturing the first men's or women's NCAA singles title in school history. On-court accomplishments aside, Rena was a remarkable teammate. She immediately endeared herself to her teammates and became one of our most trusted and respected leaders on and off the court. She personified our fighting spirit, and we will be forever grateful for the year we shared with her and what she helped bring to the team.”
All Honda Sport Award finalists from DIII and DII will vie for the prestigious 2024 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, 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.
The Honda Award 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 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/.