INDIANAPOLIS – University of Indianapolis student-athlete Pilar Echeverria was named the Division II Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for golf, as announced Thursday by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
 
Echeverria, the 2019 WGCA DII Player of the Year, is one of 11 candidates for the prestigious honor that recognizes the top woman collegiate athlete in Division II. The award will 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 43rd year.
 
"There are so many great female athletes in DII," said Echeverria, "and being nominated as one of them is one of the biggest accomplishments of my career. There are some great names that have received this award, and the thought that mine could be added is unreal. I am beyond thankful to Coach Nicoson on giving me the opportunity, and trusting me to represent a great program and community like UIndy."
 
One finalist from each of 11 NCAA Division II sports will be considered for the honor, including a student-athlete from cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball and track & field. The 2019 Honda Athlete of the Year will be presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 24, 2019, in downtown Los Angeles.
 
A native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Echeverria set a number of records and firsts at UIndy this year. She became the school's first three-time All-America First Team honoree, while also setting program marks for most individual wins in a season (7) and lowest single-season scoring average (72.5).
 
"Pilar had a phenomenal year as shown by winning seven times and being named the National Player of the Year," said Head Coach Brent Nicoson. "She takes great pride in representing our program, our university and all of Division II women's golf.  Her win at the all-Division I Lady Buckeye at Ohio State shows what a special player we have at UIndy."

Echeverria is the first Greyhound to be named a finalist for the Honda Athlete of the Year since former women's golf standout Lyndsay McBride in 2009.