Riley Laygo, a junior first baseman from the University of Rochester, has been named a finalist in softball for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

The announcement comes during a landmark moment for the organization, as the CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025–26 collegiate athletics season. Laygo is now among 11 elite finalists for this prestigious award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division III athletes across various sports. The DIII Honda Athlete of the Year will be selected by senior women administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and will be honored during a live broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, July 27th, at 7:00 pm ET, in New York City.

“To be selected as a finalist for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year is truly an honor to not only represent my team, but also University of Rochester Athletics and Division III softball,” stated Laygo. “I am grateful to my team, coaches, and most importantly, my family for supporting me throughout my softball career. Without them, I would not be the person or athlete I am today.”

Laygo recently earned 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DIII Player of the Year honors and was named an NFCA First Team All-American after producing one of the most dominant offensive seasons in both the nation and program history. Earlier this year, she was selected as the Liberty League Player of the Year for the second time in her career and earned her third nod to the All-Liberty League First Team.

The junior from Hacienda Heights, Calif., has put together remarkable numbers at the plate, batting .535 with a .578 on-base percentage and a 1.057 slugging percentage. Through 46 games, she recorded 85 hits, including 24 doubles, four triples and 17 home runs, while scoring 68 runs and driving in 76. She also went 24-for-26 in stolen base attempts, drew 18 walks and struck out just 13 times, compiling 168 total bases.

Laygo has ranked among the nation’s elite throughout the season, appearing in 32 national statistical categories and 19 regional categories. She leads Region III in batting average, doubles, hits, home runs, on-base percentage, RBI, runs scored, slugging percentage, and total bases. Nationally, she ranks first in total bases, while sitting second in slugging percentage, and third in hits, RBI, doubles, and home runs. Her historic season has already rewritten the program record book, as she owns the best single-season slash line in school history and has broken program records for doubles, hits, home runs, RBI, runs scored and total bases.

"Riley is a generational talent," says URochester head coach Abby Hurley-Martin. "Her offensive numbers are obviously impressive, but what has impressed me the most is her ability to stay focused on her individual and team goals throughout the course of the year. Her work ethic is unmatched and her moxie uplifts those around her. I know she is already at home working towards her goals for her senior season. Congratulations Riley!"

Now in its 50th year, the CWSA continues to honor the nation’s top female collegiate athletes for excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants, strengthening and advancing women’s athletics programs nationwide.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation 

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.  

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.