Kenzee Smith, a senior pitcher from the University of Indianapolis, was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for softball as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
Smith is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DII 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.
“I would first like to say that I am honored to be a nominee for one of Division II’s most prestigious awards,” said Smith. “I would like to credit this nomination to Coach Frost, Coach Ferrell, my teammates and friends of the Greyhound softball family, and my own family. You all have played a vital role in making this year’s achievements possible by producing an honest, competitive, loving, and supportive environment.”
Smith was recently named the 2024 NFCA DII Pitcher of the Year as well as the D2CCA Ron Lenz National Pitcher of the Year and is a 2024 NFCA DII First Team All-American.
The senior is the second Greyhound in program history to be named a four-time All-America including two First Team honors. Smith earned her second straight GLVC Pitcher of the Year honor this season and was named the 2024 Midwest Pitcher of the Year. In addition, she was tabbed the GLVC Richard F. Scharf Paragon Award winner as the league’s female athlete of the year.
The Indianapolis native finished the season leading DII in ERA (0.47), wins (39) and shutouts (24). Her 24 shutouts and 0.35 ERA set program records and she ranks in the top three in the UIndy record book in career wins (123), strikeouts (953) and ERA (0.97).
The pitcher was named the NFCA DII Pitcher of the Week twice this season and was named the GLVC Pitcher of the Week seven of the 12 weeks.
She led her team to the 2024 NCAA Championship semifinal game with a 60-7 final record setting a new program record for wins and its highest-ever winning percentage in conference play (.962).
“Kenzee is the ultimate competitor that personifies success on and off the field. She has been the cornerstone of our program's success the last four years, and her hard work and dedication shines through with her record-breaking season and history-making accolades and accomplishments,” stated head coach and GLVC Coach of the Year Melissa Frost. “She has the innate ability to elevate those around her with her work ethic, competitiveness, self-discipline and heart. She embodies everything one looks for in an athlete. She is a true role model for her peers as well as those aspiring to be successful in our sport. Kenzee being named a finalist for the Honda DII Athlete of the Year is well deserved and caps off her historic career at the University of Indianapolis.”
All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2024 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in 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 DII and DIII 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/.