Peyton Stearns Named Class of 2022 Honda Sport Award Winner for Tennis

Austin, Texas – Sophomore in University of Texas women’s tennis Peyton Stearns was named a Class of 2022 Honda Sport Award recipient for tennis, the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) announced today. Stearns is the first player in program history to win the Honda Sport Award for tennis and the first longhorn in a sport to be recognized as a Honda Sport Award recipient since Courtney Okolo (track and field) in 2016.

Presented annually for the past 46 years by the CWSA to the top female athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, the Honda Sport Award means “the best of the best in collegiate athletics.” The sports award winner becomes a finalist for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2022 Honda Cup. The Honda Cup will be presented during the Collegiate Women Sports Award live broadcast by Honda on CBS Sports Network on June 27 at 8 p.m. Central presents.

“I’m very grateful to receive the Honda Sport Award for tennis,” said Stearns. “It is such a privilege and honor to represent the University of Texas and the sport of tennis itself.”

Stearns was selected by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Honda Sport Award for Tennis finalists included Eryn Cayetano (USC), Sarah Hamner (South Carolina) and Emma Navarro (Virginia).

Stearns was previously named ITA National of the Year, an honor bestowed annually on the men’s and women’s players who finish the season ranked No. 1 in the final National Singles rankings. After leading Texas to their second straight NCAA team title that year, she became the first player in program history to win the NCAA singles championship and finished the season with a 33-2 overall singles game record.

Stearns paired with partner Allura Zamarripa in doubles and earned ITA Doubles All-America honors that season. The duo advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles and was #10 in the final ITA National Doubles rankings. Stearns was also named the 2022 Big 12 Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Championship, and Big 12 Singles Champion at No. 1 singles chosen.

“In the Peyton StearnsThe Honda Award has peace of mind knowing that its newest recipient embodies all that this elite and enduring honor represents,” said the Texas head coach Howard Joffe. “Peyton is indeed excellent, unique and the best of the best. A cheerful soul and an ambitious competitor, she has a bright and dedicated mind and is truly a champion athlete. Peyton joins the likes of (Cat) Osterman and (Jill) Sterkel and I believe that once her career is complete, she will stand shoulder to shoulder with these Hall of Famers and people.”

Now in its 46th year, the CWSA has recognized the nation’s top NCAA athletes for their superior athletic ability, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since its partnership began in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to awardee and nominee universities to support women’s athletics programs.

The Longhorns compiled a 26-4 dual match record during the 2022 season and clinched their second and fourth straight NCAA team titles with a 4-1 win over Oklahoma in the May 22 championship game. Texas previously won NCAA championships in 1993, 1995, and 2021. The Longhorns joined Stanford and Florida as the only schools to repeat as NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis National Champions since 1982.

Winner of the Honda Sport Award from the University of Texas

Former University of Texas Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year (Honda Cup) winner