Stanford’s Felicia Lee has been named the Division I Honda Sports Award Winner for 2014, marking the 11th time that a member of the Stanford Cardinal women’s team has taken the honor since it began in the 1976-1977 season.
The awarded, handed out by The Collegiate Women Sports Awards group, is given to “the best of the best in collegiate athletics,” and that honor went to the senior Lee.
In total, she won four NCAA titles on relays as well as the individual win in the 100 fly as part of Stanford’s overall 2nd-place team placement. In total, she earned the maximum of 7 first-team All-American awards at the NCAA Championships.
She won the award over other finalists Maya DiRado (Stanford), Missy Franklin (Cal), Breeja Larson (Texas A&M), and Brittany MacLean (Georgia).
“I’m truly honored to be receiving the Honda Sport Award this year, “ said Lee. “It has been a special year for Stanford swimming & diving and it’s important to recognize that it’s not really just an award for me; it’s for my coaches, my teammates, my parents and everyone who has helped me along the way to get here. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have been able to represent Stanford and win the award for my school.”
Lee will now advance to vie for the Honda Cup, which is given to the overall Female Athlete of the Year out of the 12 sports that the CWSA honors: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, swimming & diving.
The all-time list of swimming winners is below, courtesy of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. Past Stanford winners are asterisked in red. Swimming has won the overall award 5 times, but not since 2004. We’ve added asterisks (**) to those who went on to win the Honda Cup.
| 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 |
Felicia was phenomenal this year. And when you consider that she was the only Stanford swimmer who had to swim every prelim and final for their relays, it makes her even more impressive. They rested a majority of their finals swimmers on every relay but the 200 F.R.
Congratulations for Felicia! She has been tremendous throughout this season. Too bad that she won’t be back swimming for the Card next year.
Actually all the nominees have a fabulous season! Congrats all for getting nominated!
Surprised it wasn’t Maya DiRado… but I’m not complaining. Lee did a tremendous job this year and I am glad she’s been recognized.
Felicia Lee deserves it! Excellent student and athlete!
You missed Jenny Thompson 94-95. That would mark it 11th time for Stanford.