SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After winning the Honda Award, women's soccer senior defender Alex Loera is one of the 12 Honda Sport Award winners are finalists for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious Honda Cup which will be announced during the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Show presented by Honda on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 28, at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST, from the CBS Studios in New York City.

In addition to the Honda Cup winner being unveiled, the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Show presented by Honda will announce the Honda Top Three and feature a celebration of the 45^th anniversary of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) highlighting former Honda Cup Winners. The broadcast will also recognize the Honda Inspiration Award winner from both the Class of 2020 and 2021.

The Honda Inspiration Award is given to a deserving female student-athlete in Division I, II or III who has experienced extraordinary physical and/or emotional adversity, injury and/or illness, or experienced extraordinary personal sacrifice during her college enrollment as a student-athlete and yet returns to athletic success.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, after the airing of Defying the Odds: The 2020 & 2021 Honda Inspiration Award at 5 PST/8 EST pm on CBS Sports Network– a special telecast highlighting the three finalists as well as Jazzy Richards, the 2020 Inspiration Award winner.  The three finalists from the Class of 2021 featured on the broadcast include Camryn Hidalgo (Georgia Tech, Diving), Asjia O'Neal (Texas, Volleyball) and Didi Richards (Baylor, Basketball). 

The winner is chosen by the CWSA Board of Directors and the three finalists were chosen by the CWSA Inspiration Award committee.

The Honda Sports Award is presented annually by the CWSA to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies "the best of the best in collegiate athletics". The 12 honorees were chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and among four finalists in each sport. 

The CWSA, celebrating its 45th anniversary 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. 

The 12 Honda Sports Award winners in alphabetical order are:

Sarah Bacon, University of Minnesota, R-Senior, Indianapolis, Ind. (Swimming & Diving)

Mercy Chelangat, University of Alabama, Junior, Kericho, Kenya (Cross Country)

Anna Cockrell, USC, Redshirt Senior, Hurdles/Sprints (Track & Field)

Sara Daavettila, University of North Carolina, Fifth-year senior (Tennis)

Rachel Garcia, UCLA, RS-Senior, Pitcher (Softball)

Rachel Heck, Stanford University, Freshman (Golf)

Madison Lilley, University of Kentucky, Senior, Setter (Volleyball)

Alex Loera, Santa Clara University, Senior, Defender/Midfielder (Soccer)

Erin Matson, University of North Carolins, Junior, Forward (Field Hockey)

Charlotte North, Boston College, Senior, Attack, Senior (Lacrosse)

NaLyssa Smith, Baylor University, Senior, Forward (Basketball)

Anastasia Webb, University of Oklahoma, Senior (Gymnastics)

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 improving children's health, inspiring underrepresented students, preserving the environment for future generations, creating safety for everyone, and strengthening our communities. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/. 

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