Senior Molly Seidel from the University of Notre Dame was named the Honda Sport Award winner for cross country as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) today.

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 40 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”.  With this honor, Seidel becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2016 Honda Cup which will be presented on a live telecast on June 27, 2016, in the Founders’ Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los, Angeles.

Seidel was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Courtney Frerichs (New Mexico), Allie Ostrander (Boise State) and Dominique Scott (Arkansas).

“I am so honored to be selected for this award and to be named among this group of incredibly strong and inspirational women,” stated Seidel. “I'd like to thank my family, coaches, and team for their unwavering support. I hope I can continue to represent my Notre Dame family well."

Seidel was the 2015 NCAA Cross Country Individual Champion and the first female at ND to capture a cross country national title. The senior from Hartland, Wis., is a two-time NCAA champion after winning the 10,000 meter run in the 2015 outdoor championship.

She also is the 2015 ACC Conference and Great Lakes Regional Cross Country Champions along with a U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Cross Country All-American.

“Wow! This is such a huge honor for Molly to be named the cross country winner for the Honda Sport Award,” said head coach Alan Turner. “She is a true representative of the student-athlete, who excels in athleticism, academics and leadership. Everyone here at Notre Dame is so proud of her phenomenal year.”

Honda Sport Award winners will be presented with the honor during on-campus presentations throughout the year.

The CWSA, celebrating its 40^th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its sponsorship thirty years ago in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.