Florida’s cross-country standout receives Honda Sport Award

Florida’s star runner star Parker Valby was named the Honda Sport Award winner for cross country by Chris Voelz, executive director of the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards, after leading her team to the most successful season in program history.

Valby equaled her accolades from last year, having earned back-to-back SEC Cross Country Individual Champion, SEC Women’s Runner of the Year, NCAA Division I South Region Individual Champion, South Region Women’s Athlete of the Year and USTFCCCA NCAA Division I All-American.

“It is an honor to win this year’s Honda Sport Award and represent the sport of Cross Country and the University of Florida,” the redshirt junior said. “I am grateful for coaches and family who have supported me along the way!”

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”.

The winner of the sport’s award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. ET, from its new home in New York City.

Take a look below at every Gator who has earned the honor over the history of the award.

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Story originally appeared on Gators Wire