GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators' redshirt junior
Parker Valby was named the Honda Sport Award winner for Cross Country as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and signifies "the best of the best in collegiate athletics". The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be 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.
Valby's 2023 Cross Country campaign not only propelled the Gators to the most successful season in school history but was an equally historic individual effort.
Following what was an outstanding year in 2022, Valby matched all her accolades from the previous season and more. She is now the back-to-back SEC Cross Country Individual Champion, SEC Women's Runner of the Year, NCAA Division I South Region Individual Champion, South Region Women's Athlete of the Year and USTFCCCA NCAA Division I All-American.
In 2023, she didn't stop there. Valby added NCAA Division I Cross Country Individual Champion and 2023 USTFCCCA National Women's Athlete of the Year to her resume, completing what many may refer to as a perfect season.
Provided below is a complete list of Valby's accolades during the 2023 season.
Parker Valby's 2023 Season
- Led the Florida Gators to their first NCAA Cross Country Championships appearance since 2018 where the team recorded the program's best finish in school history (5th).
- Guided the Gators to the program's first SEC Cross Country Championship since 2012.
- 2023 NCAA Division I Cross Country Individual Champion
- 2023 NCAA Division I Cross Country South Region Individual Champion
- 2023 U.S Track & Field/Cross Country Coach Association National Women's Athlete of the Year and 2023 USTFCCCA NCAA Division I South Region Women's Athlete of the Year.
- 2023 Southeastern Conference Runner of the Year
- 2023 Southeastern Conference Individual Champion
- 2x USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week
Valby becomes the first Cross Country athlete from Florida to be granted the award. Florida now has Honda winners in nine different sports, leading the nation's programs.
| Gator Honda Sports Award Recipients |
| Name |
Sport |
Year |
| Parker Valby |
Cross Country |
2023 |
| Jasmine Moore |
Track & Field |
2023 |
| Trinity Thomas |
Gymnastics |
2023 |
| Trinity Thomas |
Gymnastics |
2022 |
| Yanis David |
Track & Field |
2019 |
| Rhamat Alhassan |
Volleyball |
2018 |
| Belinda Woolcock |
Tennis |
2017 |
| Alex McMurtry |
Gymnastics |
2017 |
| Kelly Barnhill |
Softball |
2017 |
| Bridget Sloan |
Gymnastics |
2016 |
| Lauren Haeger |
Softbal |
2015 |
| Kytra Hunter |
Gymnastics |
2015 |
| Kelsey Bruder |
Softball |
2011 |
| Caroline Burckle |
Swimming |
2008 |
| Danielle Fotopoulos |
Soccer |
1998 |
| Jill Craybas |
Tennis |
1996 |
| Nicole Haislett |
Swimming |
1994 |
| Lisa Raymond |
Tennis |
1993 |
| Lisa Raymond |
Tennis |
1992 |
| Shaun Stafford |
Tennis |
1988 |
| Page Dunlap |
Golf |
1986 |
| Deb Richard |
Golf |
1985 |
| Tracy Caulkins |
Swimming |
1984^ |
| Tracy Caulkins |
Swimming |
1983 |
| Tracy Caulkins |
Swimming |
1982^ |
| Ann Woods |
Gymnastics |
1982 |
| Renee Laravie |
Swimming |
1978 |
| ^Recipient of Broderick Award (previous name of Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Award |
Hear from Parker Valby, Head Coach Coach Mike Holloway and Associate Head Coach Will Palmer
Parker Valby: "It is an honor to win this year's Honda Sport Award and represent the sport of Cross Country and the University of Florida. I am grateful for coaches and family who have supported me along the way!"
Coach Holloway: "What an incredible Honor for Parker to win the Honda Sport Award for Cross Country. Winning this award is a testament to Parker's and Coach Palmer's hard work and dedication to their craft."
Coach Palmer: "The Honda Sport Award is incredibly prestigious and it means Parker is considered one of the 12 best female athletes across all sports. What an honor! This further validates the incredible season she put together. She's been a joy to work with every step of the way and I'm excited to continue this journey with her."
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