Cheyenne Williamson, a junior from Saginaw Valley State University, was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for track & field as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Williamson is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 47th year.

“Everyone has goals and dreams in life but very few people have the opportunity to pursue them to the fullest extent possible truly,” stated Williamson. “The sport of Track and Field has allowed me to live out my dreams and take me to new places, experiences, and people that otherwise would not have been possible. Being nominated for such a prestigious award is a perfect example of something I never believed to be possible not even five years ago and I am truly honored to be considered.”

Hailing from Bay City, Mich., Williamson was recently named the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Field Athlete of the Year after earning USTFCCCA Midwest Region Field Athlete of the Year honors.

She captured four First Team USTFCCCA All-America honors in 2023 in hurdles, high jump, long jump and heptathlon and is a 16-time All-American overall.

The junior became the first-ever athlete to win three straight National Championships in the Heptathlon after capturing the 2023 NCAA crown and added a second national title in the high jump.

Overall, she is a nine-time NCAA Champion and an 18-time GLIAC Champion across Outdoor and Indoor track & field seasons.

“Cheyenne is the image of resilience and hard work!” exclaimed SVSU head coach Rod Cowan. “This recognition could not happen to a better young woman. We get to see her character on display every day - in the way she treats those in support roles around her - the qualities she presents are indicative of such an award. She is committed to the complete student-athlete experience...her work in the classroom and community is just as important as competing for championships!”

All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 26, 2023, at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET, in Los Angeles. The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DII and DIII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA, entering its 47th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.  

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.