ATLANTA- After leading Eckerd to a historic season, including the program's first trip to the NCAA's Sweet 16, head coach Paul Honsinger '98 has been named a finalist for the WBCA National Coach of the Year.
Honsinger led Eckerd (26-6) to its sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearance, where the Tritons earned the No. 2 seed. Eckerd topped Nova Southeastern in the opening round and Union (Tenn.) in the second round to advance to the Sweet 16.
He led the Tritons to numerous team records, including 18 Sunshine State Conference victories, 3-pointers made, assists, field goals made, and points. Additionally, Lauryn Vieira set the single-season assists record. Hannah Wentworth set the single-season 3-pointers made record. Sofia Persson set a new mark for single-season points and career field goal percentage. Finally, Maya Price set the single-season field goal percentage mark and career records for blocks and field goal percentage.
Eckerd also boasted the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Lauryn Vieira, for the second straight season. The Tritons also had two first-team All-SSC honorees and second-team D2CCA All-Region selections in Maya Price and Sofia Persson. Additionally, Persson was tabbed a WBCA All-American.
Honsigner was also named a finalist for the WBCA National Coach of the Year last year and in 2016-17.
Ashland's Kari Pickens was named the winner of the coach of the year award and will be presented with the Pat Summitt Trophy, named after the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the WBCA National Coach of the Year in each of the WBCA's six membership divisions.
