Denisha Cartwright from Minnesota State University was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Track & Field as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Cartwright 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.

“Being named a finalist for Honda Division II Athlete of the Year award representing Track and Field is an incredible honor,” said Cartwright. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone who has supported me. I hope to inspire others to push their limits and pursue their dreams so their goals can become reality.”

Most recently, Cartwright was named the 2024 United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Outdoor Track & Field National Athlete of the Year after capturing two DII NCAA Championship titles in the 100-meter hurdles and 200-meters. She also finished runner-up at the NCAA Championship in the 100-meters.

A senior hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, she now boasts eight NCAA Championship titles in both indoor and outdoor and has 16 top-three National Event finishes.

Overall, she is a 30-time All-America honoree in both indoor and outdoor track & field events and holds the DII all-time record in the 60-meter hurdles. She is at two-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Player of the year and an 11-time NSIC Champion indoors and outdoors.

“Denisha is a tremendous leader who has worked incredibly hard to become the best short sprinter in Division II history,” stated head coach Mike Turgeon. “We are proud of all her accomplishments and excited to see her compete in the Olympics this summer."

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/.