STANFORD, Calif. -- Senior swimmer Nicole Stafford was named one of three finalists for the Honda Inspiration Award as announced by The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) on Monday afternoon.
"I am extremely honored to be a finalist for the 2017 Honda Inspiration Award with two other incredible athletes," said Stafford. "Everyone who is nominated for this award is a winner. Thanks to the support of the CWSA, my parents, my Stanford swimming coaches -- Greg, Tracy and Joey -- my trainer Scott Anderson for always believing in me even when I didn't myself, as well as my Stanford teammates who inspired me to keep pushing and fighting everyday.
"In addition, I'd like to thank my club coach Jason Turcotte, who gave me the confidence that I could come to Stanford as a freshman and still contribute to the team while battling my functional movement disorder."
Stafford is joined by two other inspiring athletes, senior skier Jesse Knori from Colorado University and junior swimmer Bailey Scott of the University of Alabama.
The Honda Inspiration Award winner will be selected by the CWSA Board of Directors and announced this week. The winner will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 26, 2017, in the Founders' Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los Angeles, as part of the two-day Honda Awards event.
Stafford suffers from a functional movement disorder with no known cure. The neurological condition gives Nicole painful full-body spasms or tremors every time she swims. Despite the seizure-like movements, she was a four-year letterwinner for the Cardinal and earned her first individual All-America honor in March. She served as team captain for the 2017 national championship team and was also a member of the NCAA winning 200-medley relay team in 2014.
For more on Nicole's perserverance: stanford.io/2l3QiMo
Stanford fan or not, Nicole Stafford is someone to cheer for @pac12 Championships this week https://t.co/RBjn96SMH0
— Stanford WSwim/Dive (@stanfordwswim) February 22, 2017
Award FinalistsJesse Knori, Junior, University of Colorado, Skiing
At the age of 12, in 2006, Knori was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune system to mistakenly attack the joints. As she grew older, the disease advanced to where she could no longer compete in some of the sports she participated in as a youth (volleyball, figure skating) which led her to Nordic skiing and the University of Colorado. The disease affects everything from her spine and neck to her fingers, knees and ankles, a challenge for any athlete and especially a cross country skier. Because of her autoimmune disease, she is more susceptible to illness and a long bout of whooping cough and mononucleosis caused her to miss her entire freshman year of training. The summer after her freshman year, Knori's father passed away suddenly from an accident. Skiing and her teammates helped her deal with the tragedy and despite her collegiate adversities, she earned All-America honors in both her junior and senior seasons. She was a first team All-American in 2016 after finishing fifth in the classic race at the NCAA Championship. In 2017, she earned second team honors by finishing eighth in the 5K classic race.
Bailey Scott, Junior, University of Alabama, Swimming & Diving
Scott, a freestyle and backstroke specialist, missed most of the 2015-16 season after being diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, an orthopedic and vascular condition that compromises the integrity of the arms, cardiovascular system and lungs. The syndrome is considered life and limb threatening, due to risk of blood clots. Scott underwent surgery for her condition in November of 2015, which brought an end to her season and possibly her career. While recovering, her mother lost her battle with colon cancer and passed away in June of 2016. With hard work and support from her teammates, she made it back to the pool and her courageous accomplishments include being a two-time NCAA competitor and the school record holder in the 50 freestyle as well as two relays. One year after her surgery, at NCAA Championships, she became an All-American for the first time with two of the three fastest 50 freestyles in school history.
More About the AwardChris Voelz, Executive Director of The CWSA said, "The Honda Inspiration Award winner holds a special place in our hearts as she is an inspiring and courageous woman representing her school and intercollegiate athletics in a very significant way. The finalists this year are no exception. Each has overcome significant adversity and still returned to compete with excellence. These women serve as role models for all that is possible."
The CWSA, in its 41st year, honors the nation's top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.5 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women's athletics programs at the institutions.