WINONA, Minn. - Lindsay Cunningham has added yet another impressive accolade to her long list of Warrior accomplishments, having been named a 2024 DII Honda Athlete of the Year Finalist for Cross Country, following a year in which the Wisconsin Dells, Wis. standout earned the 2023 NCAA Division II Cross Country individual championship. 

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards, presented by Honda, made the announcement on Thursday, December, 7.  The full release is available at this link. 

"Simply put, I have run out of descriptors to say how extremely proud we are of Lindsay's accomplishments.  It's amazing to witness the history that has been – and continues to be – made by such a hard-working, team-oriented, and humble individual," stated Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Melanie Brunsdon. 

Cunningham was undefeated in all 2023 races she entered this past fall, sweeping the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), NCAA Division II Regional and NCAA Division II Championships in a four-week span.  Cunningham became the first NSIC student-athlete to win three consecutive NSIC cross country titles.  Competing in the 2023 NCAA Division II Championships in Joplin, Mo., Cunningham quickly separated from the pack and finished with a time of 19:30.1, helping Winona State finish in fifth-place as a team, the highest-ever finish for the program. 

In earning the 2024 Collegiate Women Sports /  Honda Award designation, Cunningham becomes the first Winona State student-athlete ever to earn the honor. In June, 2023, Brooke Olson, a basketball student-athlete from the University of Minnesota Duluth was named the 2023 DII Honda Athlete of the Year. 

The CWSA, currently in its 48th 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.  


For the most up-to-date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
 

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About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.  

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics