Freshman Rachel Heck added another accomplishment to a long list of them on Wednesday, as she was named the Honda Sport Award winner for Golf. Heck is the first Stanford women's golfer in program history to earn the Honda Sport Award for Golf.
"It is such an honor to win this award and to have my name listed alongside 11 other incredible women this year," Heck said. "I am so grateful for every opportunity this game has given me, and I owe it all to my coaches, teammates, and family who have supported me every step of the way"
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Heck will look to become Stanford's fifth woman to be named the Honda Cup Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. If she wins, she'd join Simone Manuel (2018), Katie Ledecky (2017) and Tara Kirk (2004) from swimming & diving, as well as volleyball's Ogonna Nnamani (2005).
"We are thrilled to have the 2020-21 Honda Sport Award for Golf winner in Rachel Heck," Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf Anne Walker said. "She was outstanding on the golf course this year, setting records at every turn. But more impressive, she was the consummate teammate and leader. It is privilege to coach Rachel and I couldn't think of a more deserving winner."
Heck was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included teammate Angelina Ye, Emma Spitz (UCLA) and Maja Stark (Oklahoma State).
While Heck is the first winner for golf, her and Ye were the third and fourth finalists for the award in program history. Albane Valenzuela was a finalist in 2019, while Andrea Lee was a finalist in both 2017 and 2018.
Heck was the 2021 NCAA individual national champion, the first in Stanford women's golf history. She became the first in program history win the ANNIKA Award and the Ping WGCA Player of the Year Award, while becoming the second Cardinal to win WGCA Freshman of the Year honors. She was also named Pac-12 Golfer of the Year and Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year.
Heck won six times in just nine events during her inaugural campaign in 2021, setting a new NCAA record with a 69.72 scoring average. She became the third woman to sweep the postseason, winning the Pac-12, NCAA Stanford Regional and NCAA Championships. She finished the year ranked first in Golfstat, directly ahead of Ye who was ranked No. 2.
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.
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/.