Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh won the Honda Cup, given annually to the country’s top female college athlete, on Monday night.

She’s the ninth swimmer to win the award and first since Simone Manuel in 2018.

“This year’s Honda Cup winner, Gretchen Walsh, is nothing short of world-class,” said Chris Voelz, executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. “Her performance at the national championships was extraordinary — shattering collegiate, American and even world records.

“We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments both in the pool and in the classroom, and we look forward to watching her continue to rise as she prepares for the World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games. We’re thrilled to welcome Gretchen to the CWSA family, joining the elite group of swimmers who have earned this prestigious honor before her.”

The other two finalists for the award were UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers and Texas Tech softball pitcher NiJaree Canady. The top three were determined by votes from nearly 1,000 NCAA member schools, with the final Honda Cup recipient selected by the CWSA board of directors.

Caitlin Clark won the award the previous two years.

Walsh was a two-time Honda Award winner for swimming and diving. She helped Virginia to its fourth straight NCAA team title. She won seven NCAA championships this year, including the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and concluded her collegiate career with 25 NCAA titles (nine individual). She was 16 for 16 in NCAA relay finals in her career.

Walsh is the second Honda Cup winner from Virginia. Basketball star Dawn Staley won the award in 1991.

NFL

The Miami Dolphins are acquiring Darren Waller from the New York Giants, about a year after the veteran tight end announced his retirement from the NFL.

The Dolphins are sending a conditional 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Giants for a 2027 seventh-rounder and the 32-year-old Waller, who will come out of retirement to play in Miami on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed an NFL Network report.

The trade comes a day after Miami dealt Pro Bowler Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers after he had the most productive season of any tight end in Dolphins history. Miami was unwilling to pay Smith what he sought in a new contract and thus dealt him in a trade that also included All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who got his desire to play elsewhere. The Dolphins received All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in that trade.

Adding Waller fills Miami’s need for a productive tight end. Before he stepped away from football in June 2024, Waller amassed 350 career receptions, 4,124 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns for the Ravens, Raiders and Giants.

He had breakout seasons in 2019 and ’20, when he had a combined 197 catches for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the 2020 season and would have gone the previous year as an alternate before sustaining a thumb injury.

Waller dealt with hamstring issues the last three years and was limited to 12 games with 52 catches for 552 yards and a touchdown in his one season with the Giants.

GOLF

Lee Westwood had rounds of 70-67 at Dundonald Links to earn his way into the British Open, his first major since the former world No. 1 joined Saudi-funded LIV Golf three years ago.

Westwood was among 20 players who earned their places at Royal Portrush through Final Regional Qualifying, held over four courses in England and Scotland, each awarding five spots. He was among three LIV players from the 15 who showed up for qualifiers.

Westwood, a 52-year-old from England with 25 titles on the European tour and three Order of Merit titles, led the five qualifiers at Dundonald at 7-under 137.

“I’ve always said it’s the greatest championship in golf and as a British player you get phenomenal support,” Westwood said. “I’m just looking forward to enjoying the week at Portrush, seeing a few old friends and enjoying that golf course.”

The Open is July 17-20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, where Shane Lowry won in 2019. Westwood was one shot out of the lead through 36 holes before tying for fourth, nine shots behind Lowry.

The list of qualifiers includes Richard Teder, who will become the first player from Estonia to compete in golf’s oldest championship. Teder was set to be among the five qualifiers at West Lancashire until a double bogey on the final hole.

That put him in a four-man playoff for the last two spots. Teder secured his place by holing out from the fairway for eagle.

Two other LIV Golf players, Lucas Herbert and Dean Burmester also earned spots in The Open. Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter were among players who fell short.