Tristen Maddox, a senior from East Texas Baptist University, was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Softball as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Maddox is designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII 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 48th year.

“I feel truly blessed to be a finalist for this award,” said Maddox. “I wouldn’t be in this position without my family supporting me along with my coaches and teammates. I am so thankful for every opportunity I have been given at ETBU and thank God for bringing me to such an amazing school where I am encouraged to be successful and to grow as a person.”

Most recently, Maddox was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DIII National Player of the Year after leading her team to the 2024 NCAA Championship title. The shortstop was also named the 2024 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player for her efforts after she hit .333 recording eight RBI, two homers and four stolen bases in the championship series.

Hailing from Mission, Texas, she is a three-time NFCA All-America honoree including two First Team nods and is a four-time First Team All-American Southwest Conference (ASC) performer. She earned back-to-back ASC Player of the Year honors, the first time the conference had a back-to-back winner since 2014, and was named the 2024 ASC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

The senior led the ASC in runs scored (69), hits (69), doubles (16), home runs (17), and RBI (63) and her home runs ranked sixth in the nation in DIII. She batted .437 on the season and holds the ETBU career record for doubles (54).

“What an honor it is for Tristen to be nominated for this award!” stated head coach Janae Shirley. “She is such a dynamic athlete who has impacted our program in so many ways. More than what she has done on the field, Tristen has embodied being a selfless leader and lifted those around her through encouragement and hard work. She truly is an amazing athlete and person, and we are so proud of her.”

All Honda Sport Award finalists from DIII and DII will vie for the prestigious 2024 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 PM ET, from its new home in New York City.

The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA, entering its 48th 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/.