Missy Franklin Wins 2015 Honda Cup as Top Female Collegiate Athlete

Photo Courtesy: California Athletics

Capping her Cal career with perhaps her greatest honor as a Golden Bear, Missy Franklin received the 2015 Honda Cup as the top female collegiate athlete in the country during a ceremony at the Galen Center Monday night.

Franklin is the second Golden Bear to earn the Honda Cup, joining fellow swimmer and multi-time Olympic medalist Mary T. Meagher, who was honored with the award in 1987.

“I can’t even put it into words,” Franklin said after she was presented the Cup. “I honestly did not expect this listening to these other women’s stories and everything they have done. To be here and to receive such a prestigious honor, I’m so incredibly thankful. I couldn’t have dreamt of anything more.”

Franklin’s sophomore year at Cal was full of accolades and accomplishments. In the pool, she was named the NCAA Swimmer of the Year and Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year. Franklin captured three individual titles – 200-yard individual medley, 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke – and was a member of two victorious relays at the NCAA Championships. Her 200 free time of 1:39.10 set an American record and helped the Bears to the national team crown.

At the Pac-12 meet, Franklin captured the same three individual races and anchored the 800 free relay to an American-record time of 6:50.18.

For her work in the classroom, Franklin was named the Capital One Academic All-American of the Year (at-large division). The psychology major owns a 3.58 GPA at Cal.

“My two years of being a Golden Bear were the best two years of my life,” Franklin said. “I met the most incredible people and I made friendships and relationships that I know I’m going to have as long as I live. I’m so grateful for the memories we made together.”

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for 39 years, recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.

The Honda Sports Award is presented annually by the CWSA to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports. The 12 honorees were chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and among four finalists in each sport.

“We are thrilled to have Missy represent such an extraordinary class of 2015 student-athletes,“ stated Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the CWSA. “She is the perfect fit to carry on the long and storied tradition of esteemed Honda Cup winners before her and our CWSA family looks forward to supporting her through her professional career.”

Overall, Golden Bears have won the Honda Award – given to the top athlete in each sport – nine times. Swimmers have earned the honor on seven occasions: Meagher in 1985 and ’87, Natalie Coughlin in 2002 and ’03, Dana Vollmer in 2009, Caitlin Leverenz in 2012, and Franklin this year. In addition, golf’s Sarah Huarte won in 2004 and tennis player Jana Juricova in 2011. Softball player Angie Jacobs received the Inspiration Award in 1989.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.

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Riann Zurliene

8 years ago

Congrats Missy! Well deserved!!!