Louisville senior Kelsi Worrell has been named the Honda Sports Award winner for swimming & diving, the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program announced on Friday.
She won the award over fellow finalists Ella Eastin (Stanford), Lilly King (Indiana) and Olivia Smoliga (Georgia).
Worrell will now go on to contend with the winners from 11 other NCAA-sanctioned sports for the honor of the Honda Cup as the best female athlete across collegiate sports.
Worrell finished her collegiate career in March at the NCAA Championships where she repeated as the champion in the 100 and 200 yard butterflies. Her results included NCAA, American, and U.S. Open Records in her best event, the 100 fly, in 49.43.
Worrells’ career ended with 9 CSCAA All-America awards and back-to-back ACC Swimmer of the Year honors.
“I’m so incredibly humbled to be named this year’s Honda Award winner,” said Worrell. “It truly wouldn’t have been possible without all the support from the University of Louisville, my present and past coaches, my amazing teammates, and my encouraging family. What an huge honor to be named alongside some of the greatest swimmer’s this world has seen like Missy Franklin, Mary T Meagher, and Tracy Caulkins. To God be all the Glory! “
“It is very fitting for Kelsi to receive the Honda award for swimming and diving. She has earned her success through her work ethic, team-first attitude, and a huge heart,” said head coach Arthur Albiero. “During her four years as a swimmer at the University of Louisville, she has captured our imaginations and allowed us to dream bigger than ever as a program. Yet, in the midst of ACC records, NCAA Records, American Records, and even a World Record, she continues to embody the ‘humble and hungry’ approach that has impacted our swimming and diving program in all levels. Her success is also a validation of the support Mr Tom Jurich and our entire administration have put forth to create an environment where we are given to the tools to create world-class programs for student-athletes.“
The Indiana freshman King won the CSCAA Swimmer of the Year award, but the CWSA opted to select the senior Worrell instead.
Worrell is the first swimmer in the history of the Louisville program to win this award.
Past winners of this award:
| 2014-15 | Missy Franklin, University of California |
| 2013-14 | Felicia Lee, Stanford University |
| 2012-13 | Allison Schmitt, University of Georgia |
| 2011-12 | Caitlin Leverenz, University of California |
| 2010-11 | Katinka Hosszu, University of Southern California |
| 2009-10 | Julia Smit, Stanford University |
| 2008-09 | Dana Vollmer, University of California |
| 2007-08 | Caroline Burckle, University of Florida |
| 2006-07 | Kara Lynn Joyce, University of Georgia |
| 2005-06 | Mary DeScenza, University of Georgia |
| 2004-05 | Kirsty Coventry, Auburn University |
| 2003-04 | Tara Kirk, Stanford University |
| 2002-03 | Natalie Coughlin, University of California |
| 2001-02 | Natalie Coughlin, University of California |
| 2000-01 | Misty Hyman, Stanford University |
| 1999-00 | Cristina Teuscher, Columbia University |
| 1998-99 | Martina Moravcova, Southern Methodist University |
| 1997-98 | Misty Hyman, Stanford University |
| 1996-97 | Kristine Quance, University of Southern California |
| 1995-96 | Kristine Quance, University of Southern California |
| 1994-95 | Jenny Thompson, Stanford University |
| 1993-94 | Nicole Haislette, University of Florida |
| 1992-93 | Janel Jorgensen, Stanford University |
| 1991-92 | Summer Sanders, Stanford University |
| 1990-91 | Leigh Ann Fetter, University of Texas |
| 1989-90 | Janet Evans, Stanford University |
| 1988-89 | Jenna Johnson, Stanford University |
| 1987-88 | Betsy Mitchell, University of Texas |
| 1986-87 | Mary T. Meagher, University of California |
| 1985-86 | Jenna Johnson, Stanford University |
| 1984-85 | Mary T. Meagher, University of California |
| 1983-84 | Tracy Caulkins, University of Florida |
| 1982-83 | Tracy Caulkins, University of Florida |
| 1981-82 | Tracy Caulkins, University of Florida |
| 1980-81 | Jill Sterkel, University of Texas |
| 1979-80 | Jill Sterkel, University of Texas |
| 1978-79 | Joan Pennington, University of Texas |
| 1977-78 | Renee Laravie, University of Florida |
| 1976-77 | Melissa Belote, Arizona State University |
KYswimmingfan, you can add that the greatest female butterflyer ever Mary T. Meagher was born in Louisville, Kentucky. 🙂
That’s really amazing.
What an incredible ambassador for our sport. Class act!
Swimswam writers: you ought to write a piece about the interesting trend of college standouts with Kentucky ties making the Olympic team in the 100 fly.
’04 –>Rachel Komisarz (swam for UK) came out of nowhere to win the event at trials
’08 –> Elaine breeden (grew up in Lexington) upset Komisarz for the 2nd spot in the event
’12 –> Claire Donahue (swam for WKU) became another surprise qualifier from lane 1
Looks like Miss Worrell will look to continue this incredible trend! KY girls SLAY the 100 fly!