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Katie Ledecky first freshman to win Honda Cup in 35 years

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(BROADCAST - OUT) of the United States poses for a photo on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Harry How

Katie Ledecky wasn’t named the best athlete in her own conference, but she did take the Honda Cup, awarded to the NCAA female athlete of the year.

She’s the second freshman to win the Honda Cup and the first in 35 years after triple 1984 Olympic champion Tracy Caulkins.

Ledecky, a four-time Rio Olympic champion, beat out finalists include Washington basketball star Kelsey Plum. Plum broke the NCAA women’s scoring records for a single season and a career.

Earlier this month, Plum was named the Pac-12 Network athlete of the year over Ledecky.

In her first year at Stanford, Ledecky became the first swimmer in 29 years to sweep the 200-, 500- and 1,650-yard freestyle NCAA titles.

The last swimmer to win the Honda Cup was Missy Franklin for her sophomore season in 2014-15.

Ledecky is in Indianapolis to compete this week at the USA Swimming National Championships, part of the TeamUSA Summer Champions Series, presented by Comcast.

MORE: USA Swimming Nationals broadcast schedule

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