Middlebury College graduate student Amy Griffin has been named a finalist for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year for Field Hockey, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Griffin 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 am extremely honored and grateful to be named the field hockey finalist for DIII Honda Athlete of the Year once again,” said Griffin. “This award is a testament to my incredible team, and I can't say enough about my teammates, coaches, trainers, and all the Middlebury Athletics staff who offered support every day. It has been a privilege to play for Middlebury alongside my best friends and I couldn't imagine a better year to end my career with.”

Griffin, hailing from Wilmette, Ill., capped off an exceptional season with a host of accolades. The standout midfielder was named the NFHCA DIII Player of the Year and the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while also earning All-American, All-Region, and All-NESCAC First Team honors.

A dominant force on the field, Griffin led Middlebury and the NESCAC with 14 assists, adding 11 goals to her tally. Her 14 assists tied for sixth in Middlebury's single-season history, and her 49 career assists set a new program record, surpassing the previous mark of 48.

This fall, she started all 21 games, contributing points in 15 contests and registering two or more points in 11 of them. Griffin’s total of 1,112 minutes played ranked third on the team, and she delivered three game-winning goals, including the decisive tally in the NCAA Semifinal victory over Salisbury.

Griffin's remarkable postseason included earning a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team for the fourth time in her career. She was instrumental in leading Middlebury to its unprecedented seventh-straight NCAA title, finishing the season with a 19-2 overall record.

“It is such an honor to coach Amy Griffin, as she is an elite field hockey player and a truly exceptional human being,” stated head coach Katharine DeLorenzo. “Her “by example” leadership is powerful and elevates the level of hockey being played by all those around her. Amy leads with grace, skill, vision and humor, and   her commitment and contributions to her team, her coaches, Middlebury, and the sport of field hockey are extraordinary to witness and are the high standard by which we all measure ourselves.”

All finalists for the DIII and DII Honda Athlete of the Year will be honored during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 30, at 7 pm ET, in New York City.

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/.