• Paige Bueckers’ Honda Cup hopes came crashing down as Gretchen Walsh claimed the prestigious 2025 title. From record-breaking performances to heated rivalries, this dramatic announcement has left fans buzzing across social media and beyond.

LOS ANGELES, CA (TDR) — The 2025 Collegiate Women’s Sports Honda Cup winner has been crowned, and it isn’t UConn basketball phenom Paige Bueckers. Instead, swimming legend Gretchen Walsh has taken the spotlight, leaving fans stunned and sparking heated debates across social media. Walsh’s historic achievements in the pool proved impossible to ignore, even against Bueckers’ brilliant basketball résumé.

A Shocking Upset for Paige Bueckers Fans

For months, Paige Bueckers was the name on everyone’s lips, with many predicting her as the Honda Cup frontrunner. After leading UConn to their 12th national title, breaking records left and right, and posting eye-popping stats—including becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer—Bueckers seemed destined to claim college sports’ top honor. Yet, when the board’s decision was announced, it wasn’t Bueckers’ name etched in history.

In a post-award interview, Bueckers stayed humble and focused. “I’m running my own race,” she said, addressing the mounting comparisons to basketball rival Caitlin Clark. “This isn’t about awards for me; it’s about the journey.” But the sting of the loss hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially after three consecutive years of basketball dominance with Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark’s back-to-back wins.

Gretchen Walsh’s Historic Run

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Gretchen Walsh, however, made an irrefutable case for the title. The 25-time NCAA champion shattered records across the swimming world. From U.S. Open and American records in the 50 free and 100 fly to 11 world records in 2024 alone, Walsh’s dominance was unparalleled. Her short-course world championship performance cemented her legacy, earning her the title of Best Female Swimmer.

For University of Virginia fans, Walsh’s win has drawn comparisons to Dawn Staley’s 1991 Honda Cup victory, as she becomes only the second athlete from the school to achieve this honor. One ecstatic fan on X posted, “Gretchen Walsh is a LEGEND. Virginia has another Honda Cup winner, and it’s about time!”

Fans React: Controversy and Rivalries Take Center Stage

The Honda Cup decision has reignited the fiery debate over the Paige Bueckers-Caitlin Clark rivalry. While Clark claimed back-to-back Honda Cups in 2023 and 2024, Bueckers was seen as the natural successor to continue basketball’s streak. Reddit forums lit up with mixed reactions. “Paige deserved it,” one user wrote, “but Gretchen’s stats are unbeatable this year. Can’t argue with history like that.”

On Instagram, Walsh celebrated her win with a heartfelt post, thanking her coaches and teammates for their support. Meanwhile, basketball fans lamented the end of a streak, with one commenter writing, “First Aliyah, then Caitlin, now Paige. This basketball era deserved a clean sweep.”

What’s Next for Paige Bueckers?

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Despite the snub, Paige Bueckers shows no signs of slowing down. Already turning her focus to her pro career, she’s poised to take the basketball world by storm. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely, wondering if this missed milestone will fuel her next chapter.

Do you think Gretchen Walsh deserved the Honda Cup over Paige Bueckers? Let us know in the comments below.

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