Senior diver Sophie Verzyl has been named a finalist for the 2026 Honda Sport Award for Swimming and Diving, announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
Other finalists for the award are Stanford swimmers Lucy Bell and Torri Huske and Virginia swimmer Claire Curzan.
Verzyl captured her first national title in the 3-meter dive at the 2026 NCAA Championships, marking the first national title in the event in program history. She paired the victory with a second-place finish in the 1-meter. Verzyl is now a four-time All-American, having earned second-team All-America honors in both events last season.
The Columbia, S.C. native swept the springboard events at the 2026 SEC Championships, defending her title in the 3-meter. She was also named the SEC Diver of the Meet. Throughout the season, Verzyl has collected 13 event wins and five SEC Diver of the Week honors. She set a new program record in the 1-meter dive and holds the pool record in the same event at the Allen Jones Aquatic Center (University of Tennessee).
MORE ON THE HONDA SPORT AWARD AND CWSA
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 50 years, recognizing the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and symbolizing “the best of the best in collegiate athletics.” The recipient of the sport award will become a finalist for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the 2026 Honda Cup, to be presented live on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The swimming & diving finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). The Honda Sport award winner for swimming & diving will be announced after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Each NCAA member institution has a vote.
The CWSA, in its 50th 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.
