MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State sophomore Denisha Cartwright has been named been named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for track and field and is now a finalist for the DII Honda Athlete of the Year award as announced by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).

All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2022 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 27, 2022, in downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DII and DIII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball and track & field.

The CWSA, entering its 46th 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

Hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, Denisha Cartwright was named the NSIC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year after claiming four All-NSIC honors at the NSIC Championships, including first place finishes in the 100m hurdles and the 4x100 relay events. She was also named the NSIC Track Athlete of the Week four times.

Cartwright would go on to win two national championships at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as she finished first in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.55. She also finished first in the 4x100 relay event with her teammates Makayla Jackson, Ja'Cey Simmons and Rose Cramer as they posted a time of 44.29. Cartwright would also garner two more All-American honors as she finished fourth in the 200m dash and seventh in 100m dash.

"During Denisha's time at Minnesota State she has increased the national level of our sprints/hurdles squad," head coach Mike Turgeon said. "She works tirelessly at being a better hurdler.  Denisha is a teammate that leads by example and who her teammates count on during the championship season to lead our track and field team. We are very proud of Denisha for being named DII Honda Athlete of the Year Finalist."

In total, Cartwright has received 14 All-American honors during her time as a Maverick, including three national championships in the 100m hurdles, 4x100 relay and the 60m hurdles. She has also won the 60m hurdles and 200m dash events at the NSIC Indoor Championships twice, to go along with two first place finishes in the 100m hurdles at the NSIC Outdoor Championships and one in the 4x100 relay.
 
Minnesota State finished in third place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with 57 points.