GAMBIER, Ohio – For the third time in her Kenyon College career, senior Crile Hart was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for swimming and diving, as announced by Executive Director Chris Voelz of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
Hart is now designated one of 11 finalists for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year, which will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the CWSA program, now in its 46th year.
“I am very honored and humbled to be nominated as a DIII Honda Award finalist for the 2022 season. Congrats to all the other nominees as well! This year has been, without a doubt, my favorite season at Kenyon. The energy and mindset my teammates and coaches had throughout the year was unmatched. We all believed in each other so much and that momentum carried us all the way to the very end. I could not have imagined a more perfect closing to my swimming career. My heart is so beyond full and thankful for all the opportunities Kenyon, my friends, coaches, teammates and family have graciously allowed me to experience,” said Hart.
Hart was previously named finalist for the swimming and diving honor after both her freshman and junior seasons. She is also a two-time College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) and three-time North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Women’s Swimmer of the Year. One of the most decorated swimmers in Kenyon history, Hart boasts the maximum 28 career All-America swims to go along with 14 career national titles. At the 2022 DIII national championships, she earned six gold medals, while setting records in four separate events and leading the Kenyon team to its NCAA-record 24th championship team title.
Throughout the 2021-22 season, the senior posted five individual top times for Kenyon, including the 200-yard backstroke, the 50-yard butterfly, the 100-yard butterfly, the 100-yard freestyle and the 200-yard individual medley. She will graduate in May as the program record holder in three individual events, as well as four relay events.
“Athletically, Crile’s accomplishments stand at the pinnacle of our sport and program. She is arguably the most versatile and talented swimmer in DIII history. However, and this is the best part, Crile is so much more than an incredible swimmer. She is a beloved teammate, mentor, leader and human being who delights in making other people better,” Kenyon coach Jess Book said.
