Kristina Orban Named Finalist for CWSA DII Honda Athlete of the Year Award

NEW YORK – Kristina Orban, a sophomore from Nova Southeastern University, has been named a finalist in swimming & diving for the DII Honda Athlete of the Year, as introduced at present by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) offered by Honda.

The announcement comes throughout a landmark second for the group, because the CWSA celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in the course of the 2025–26 collegiate athletics season. Orban is now amongst 11 elite finalists for this prestigious award, which acknowledges the highest NCAA Division II athletes throughout numerous sports activities. The DII Honda Athlete of the Year will probably be chosen by senior girls directors from over 1,000 NCAA member colleges and will probably be honored throughout a reside broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, July twenty seventh, at 7:00 pm ET, in New York City.

“Being a finalist for this award means so much to me,” mentioned Orban. “It reflects not only the hard work I’ve put in, but also the constant support and encouragement from my teammates, coaches, and family who push me to improve every single day. Being part of this program has truly reignited my passion for the sport, and it’s stronger now than ever before. I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without this team. I’m incredibly honored and deeply grateful for this recognition.”

Orban was named the 2026 College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) Division II Swimmer of the Year after a dominant season during which she earned seven CSCAA First Team All-America honors and helped lead her crew to a fourth consecutive NCAA crew championship. She is now a 13-time First Team All-American in her profession.

At the 2026 NCAA Division II Championships, Orban captured three particular person nationwide titles within the 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle, whereas additionally contributing to a few championship-winning relay groups, together with the record-setting 200 medley relay.

The sophomore from Malmo, Sweden, was additionally named Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Championship Swimmer of the Meet after setting a meet document within the 50 freestyle and successful the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly. She added to her spectacular season by serving to set a nationwide document within the 200 freestyle relay and contributing to convention titles within the 800 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay. Overall, Orban has totaled seven SSC championship titles and was named SSC Swimmer of the Week 4 instances this season and 6 instances in her profession.

“Kristina is a tremendous competitor,” said head coach Ben Hewitt. “Her success this year reflects her hard work, dedication, and resilience. I’m proud of what she has accomplished, and she is deserving of this honor. What stands out most, though, is her team-oriented approach. She has grown as a leader and is a positive influence on her teammates and peers.”

Now in its fiftieth yr, the CWSA continues to honor the nation’s high feminine collegiate athletes for excellence in athletics, management, teachers, and neighborhood service. Since partnering with Honda in

1986, this system has supplied greater than $3.4 million in institutional grants, strengthening and advancing girls’s athletics applications nationwide.