Sydney Kuo, a sophomore from Washington University in St. Louis, was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Golf as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Kuo is now 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 47th year.

“I'm incredibly honored to be a finalist for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year,” said Kuo. “It means so much to me because it validates the hard work and dedication I've put into my game this year. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the continued guidance and support of everyone around me. I'm so thankful for everyone who has pushed and motivated me, up to this point, to be the best player that I can be.”

Kuo, a sophomore hailing from South Plainfield, N.J., was most recently named the Division III PING Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Player of the Year and earned WGCA First-Team All-America honors for the second season in a row.

In addition, Kuo repeated as the UAA Player of the Year and earned UAA Rookie of the Year laurels as a freshman.

The top-ranked golfer nationally all year, she has led the Bears in most competitions this academic year and currently posts a 71.63 scoring average.

Off the course, she is a WGCA All-American Scholar Athlete.

“All of us at WashU could not be happier for Sydney to be named as the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Golf,” head coach Dave Reinhardt said. “She epitomizes the definition of a DIII Scholar-Athlete.  Off the course and in the classroom and on campus, Sydney represents WashU and the game of golf to the highest ideals.”

All Honda Sports nominees from DIII and DII become a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 26, from the campus of UCLA. 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 47th 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/.