In April, the Honda Collegiate Womens Sports Awards foundation named Georgia senior Allison Schmitt as the Honda Award winner for swimming, earning the honor ahead of Florida’s Elizabeth Beisel, Texas A&M’s Breeja Larson, and Cal’s Liz Pelton.
This honor is given yearly to the most outstanding female athlete across 12 sports; the winner of each of those sports is then sent to a national awards ceremony in late June, where the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year is named.
This marked the third time that Schmitt was named a finalist in the event after finishing behind Katinka Hosszu for the 2011 award and Julia Smit for the 2010 award.
Schmitt joins Kara Lynn Joyce and Mary Descenza as the third Georgia Bulldog to take the award in the last decade. The honor was given on the basis of her leading Georgia to the women’s team national championship and winning an individual title herself in the 200 freestyle. This award was also no doubt given partially in honor of her Olympic gold medal in that same 200 freestyle last summer.
Five different swimmers have won the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year award: Jill Sterkel (Texas), Tracy Caulkins (Florida, twice), Mary T. Meagher (Cal), Cristina Teuscher (Columbia), and Tara Kirk (Stanford).
See the all-time list of swimming nominees and winners for this award below.
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2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-00 1998-99 1997-98 1996-97 1995-96 1994-95 1993-94 1992-93 1991-92 1990-91 1989-90 1988-89 1987-88 1986-87 1985-86 1984-85 1983-84 1982-83 1981-82 1980-81 1979-80 1978-79 1977-78 1976-77 |
Allison Schmitt, University of Georgia Caitlin Leverenz, University of California, Berkeley Katinka Hosszu, University of Southern California Julia Smit, Stanford University Dana Vollmer, University of California Berkeley Caroline Burckle, University of Florida Kara Lynn Joyce, University of Georgia Mary DeScenza, University of Georgia Kirsty Coventry, Auburn University Tara Kirk, Stanford University Natalie Coughlin, University of California, Berkeley Natalie Coughlin, University of California, Berkeley Misty Hyman, Stanford University Cristina Teuscher, Columbia University Martina Moravcova, Southern Methodist University Misty Hyman, Stanford University Kristine Quance, University of Southern California Kristine Quance, University of Southern California Jenny Thompson, Stanford University Nicole Haislette, University of Florida Janel Jorgensen, Stanford University Summer Sanders, Stanford University Leigh Ann Fetter, University of Texas Janet Evans, Stanford University Jenna Johnson, Stanford University Betsy Mitchell, University of Texas Mary T. Meagher, University of California, Berkeley Jenna Johnson, Stanford University Mary T. Meagher, University of California, Berkeley Tracy Caulkins, University of Florida Tracy Caulkins, University of Florida Tracy Caulkins, University of Florida Jill Sterkel, University of Texas Jill Sterkel, University of Texas Joan Pennington, University of Texas Renee Laravie, University of Florida |
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The Honda Award is always fickle: look at the fact that neither Coughlin or Thompson won the overall award given 2 amazing collegiate careers.
It is fickle, but when you look at some of the names that those two ran up against and lost out to on the overall award: Thompson lost to Rebecca Lobo, Mia Hamm, and Lisa Fernandez. Those are three of the most dominant players in the history of their sports, which puts them on the same level as Thompson was to swimming.
Coughlin probably should’ve won one at some point in her career, but she was up against Angela Williams (the first person to EVER win the 100 meter four straight years at NCAA’s); and Natasha Watley, who won in 2003 after batting better than .400 at the College World Series and finished a career leading UCLA’s all-time list in… Read more »
All great swimmers, no doubt. But Schmitt did contribute significantly to her team winning NCAAs too, in addition to individual championship title in the 200 free, records in the 400 free relay at NCAAs and 800 free relay at SECs. I’m sure her team winning put her over the edge over Pelton and Larson – esp. because she’s widely acknowledged as a big leader for that team. Her achievements in London certainly contributed, but wouldn’t say that was the only factor. Schmitt had a great season, she totally deserves the award. Congrats to her, and to the other girls for being finalists. They will all have another shot at the award, too.
Schmitt was deserving but totally thought this should have gone to Pelton or Larson. Pelton for championship performance, Larson for breakout season.
This award is definitely for her London’s successes, not NCAA
Maybe not, team championship probably plays significantly for an award like this
She did only win won event unlike her normal two, however it has been made clear that she is focusing more on her 100. she placed in top heat for first time (5th) in 100 and had a solid time drop.So as far as points goes she actually scored more this time 47 points individually(5th,6th,1st) compared to 45points (1st,1st,12th in 2012)
Use defenetly needs her for Barcelona .
mary descenza now mary mohler was also a bulldog. But allison not only won the 200 free last summer she won 5 medals(gold-2free,800 free relay,4medley relay, silver-4 free,bronze 4 free relay.) tying missy franklin with the most medals of a female athlete. Also she got an American records in the 2 free and 4 free.