Grand Valley State University junior Lauren Kiley has been named a finalist for the DII Honda Athlete of the Year for Cross Country, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
Kiley is among 11 elite finalists for this prestigious award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division II athletes across various sports. The winner will be determined through national balloting by representatives from more than 1,000 NCAA member schools and announced at the end of the academic year as part of the CWSA program.
“This nomination is a huge deal and it’s something you hear all the big names in the field receive," said Kiley. “To be a part of that group is mind blowing.”
A native of Canton, Michigan, Kiley was recently honored as the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII National Athlete of the Year following her individual title at the 2024 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships.
Kiley capped off an undefeated season in impressive fashion, securing the NCAA DII championship title with a time of 20:28.5 and a lead of more than two seconds. The national title adds to an already impressive season, where she claimed victories at the NCAA DII Midwest Region Championships and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships—the latter marking her debut race and win of the season.
“I am very lucky, as I am blessed with time and have a lot of room to grow and a lot more to experience in my college years,” said Kiley.
All finalists for the DII and DIII Honda Athlete of the Year will be honored during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network in June in New York City.
The Honda Sport Award recognizes student-athletes in 11 NCAA-sanctioned sports, including cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball and track & field.
Now in its 49th year, the CWSA honors the nation’s top female collegiate athletes for their exceptional athletic performance, leadership, academic achievements and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has awarded more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to support women’s athletics at universities across the country.
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/.