Caroline Adams, a senior from Middlebury College, has been named a finalist in lacrosse for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

The announcement comes during a landmark moment for the organization, as the CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025–26 collegiate athletics season. Adams is now among 11 elite finalists for this prestigious award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division III athletes across various sports. The DIII Honda Athlete of the Year will be selected by senior women administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and will be honored during a live broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, July 27th, at 7:00 pm ET, in New York City.

“Middlebury Women's Lacrosse is a program built and fostered by those who play for each other, do hard things together and love one another,” said Adams. “I am a better lacrosse player and human because of this family. To play lacrosse competitively, surrounded by so much talent on our team in the NESCAC and beyond, is a gift, and I am honored to be nominated as a finalist. I am forever grateful for my coaches, teammates, and all those whose shoulders I have stood upon these past four years.”

Adams capped one of the most decorated careers in Middlebury women’s lacrosse history by earning Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) National Player of the Year and Attacker of the Year honors. The senior also collected IWLCA First Team All-America, while being named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year and earning All-NESCAC First Team honors for the second time in her career.

The senior from Norwich, Vt., Adams helped lead the Panthers to their fifth consecutive NCAA Championship title, and her fourth overall. She was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team honors for the fourth straight year after leading the team throughout its five NCAA Tournament games with 25 points, including 13 goals and 12 assists. She also tied for the team lead with 21 draw controls during the championship run.

Adams put together a remarkable senior season, leading the NESCAC in points (117), goals (72) and draw controls (124), while ranking third in assists (45). She became just the fifth player in program history to record a 100-point season and concluded her career as Middlebury’s all-time leader in draw controls with 473.

Off the field, Adams earned the Hazeltine-Klevenow Memorial Trophy, presented to a women’s student-athlete who best combines athletic achievement and academic excellence. She also received College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors and was a three-time NESCAC All-Academic selection.

“Caroline Adams is one of the most selfless leaders in our program and is a true connector of people both on and off the field,” stated head coach Kate Livesay. “She has an uncanny way of believing in others and encouraging them to reach new heights, all while modeling extraordinary competition and execution with her own play. She has provided jaw-dropping, game-winning plays on multiple occasions in her senior season, and she brings a joy and magic to the field that draws in all spectators and fans. She has set the standard for achievement in her academic and athletic pursuits, all while remaining deeply committed to her involvement in the community. Caroline has infused joy and success into the Middlebury community since she arrived, and her legacy will be felt long after she graduates.”

Now in its 50th year, the CWSA continues to honor the nation’s top female collegiate athletes for excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants, strengthening and advancing women’s athletics programs nationwide.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation 

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.  

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.