Wilmington College sophomore Faith Duncan has been announced as a finalist for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year for Cross Country, according to Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Duncan is among 11 elite finalists for this prestigious award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division III athletes across various sports. The winner will be determined through national balloting by representatives from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and announced at the end of the academic year as part of the CWSA program, now in its 49th year.

"I'm so incredibly thankful for what this award means,” stated Duncan. “I feel it represents far more than myself; it represents the people of Wilmington who showed undying support in my efforts this season. It represents my coaches, who took a chance on me and believed in me from day one. It represents my friends and family who loved me unconditionally along the way and let me run without fear. I thank God every day for what I've been given.”

A native of Lebanon, Ohio, Duncan made history as Wilmington College’s first recipient of a national athlete of the year honor, earning the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DIII Cross Country National Athlete of the Year title.

Duncan had a perfect season, winning all eight races she entered, including the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championship, the Great Lakes Region Championship, and the NCAA National Championship.

Her accolades this season include All-Region honors, First Team All-OAC, and recognition as USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week twice and OAC Athlete of the Week four times. Most recently, she was named OAC Runner of the Year.

Her standout performance of the season occurred at the OAC Championship, where she clocked an impressive 6K time of 19:49.2, the second-fastest time ever recorded by a Division III runner. Only three runners in DIII history have ever broken the 20-minute barrier.

All finalists for the DIII and DII Honda Athlete of the Year will be celebrated during a live broadcast on CBS Sports Network this June in New York City.

“Faith had an amazing cross country season,” stated head coach Ron Combs. “She just keeps getting better and better, which is truly amazing considering the level she has been competing at for the last year.  She loves the grind of training during the season, and I've never coached a more confident competitor. I really think she is just beginning to show what she is capable of."

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 over $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/.