Natalie Bremer, a senior guard from Minnesota State, has been named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

The announcement comes during a landmark moment for the organization, as the CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025–26 collegiate athletics season. The DII Honda Athlete of the Year was selected by senior women administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and Bremer will be honored during a live broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, July 27th, at 7:00 pm ET, in New York City.

The other 10 finalists for this year’s award were Sara Batchadji (Florida Tech Soccer), Amely Bochaton (Wingate Golf), Kristyna Hranacova (Nova Southeastern Tennis), Parker Keeler (Newberry Field Hockey), Gwen McGinnis (Tampa Softball), Makenna Nold (Concordia St. Paul Volleyball), Kristina Orban (Nova Southeastern Swimmin & Diving), Tristan Spence (Adams State Cross Country) and Blakelee Winn (Pittsburg State Track & Field).

“I am honored and blessed to be able to be named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year, foremost because there are so many great athletes across the country, and to be named the best is completely amazing,” stated Bremer. “I couldn't be any more grateful for those that have supported me to get me to this point.”

Bremer, a native of Lake City, Minnesota, was named the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year, the first national player of the year in program history and earned WBCA First Team All-America honors after receiving honorable mention in 2025.

She led her program to a 29-3 overall record, including a 21-1 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play, while helping set a program-record 27-game winning streak. Bremer was also named the NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year for women’s basketball.

In a career-best season, she averaged 21.8 points per game on .486 percent shooting, including .371 percent from three-point range, while adding 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. She ranked sixth nationally in scoring and became Minnesota State’s all-time leading scorer, across both men’s and women’s programs, with 2,371 career points.

Off the court, Bremer has been a consistent academic standout, earning NSIC All-Academic Team honors, a spot on the Dean’s List every semester, and recognition as a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, in addition to NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors.

“We are extremely proud of Natalie for being named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year,” stated head coach Emilee Thiesse. “This is an incredible honor and a testament to the impact she has made as one of the very best student-athletes in Division II. Natalie is a proven leader, an exceptional teammate, and a dedicated student. She embodies the values of Maverick Women's Basketball in everything she does while continually challenging herself to reach new heights. We could not be happier to see her recognized with an award that is so well deserved.”

Now in its 50th year, the CWSA continues to honor the nation’s top female collegiate athletes for excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants, strengthening and advancing women’s athletics programs nationwide.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation 

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.  

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.