Caitlin Clark had a memorable night at the ESPYs on Thursday, winning two prestigious awards.
Among her accolades, she was honored as the best women’s college athlete, triumphing over LSU gymnastics star Haleigh Bryant, Wisconsin volleyball standout Sarah Franklin, and Northwestern lacrosse star Izzy Scane. This marked the second consecutive year Clark received this recognition, having also won the ESPY for best women’s college athlete in 2023.
However, Clark made ESPYs history by becoming the first woman to win the award for best record-breaking performance. This milestone added a significant chapter to her already illustrious career.
The following day, as Clark and the Indiana Fever prepared to host the Phoenix Mercury, she addressed the media during a pregame press conference. When asked about the significance of being the first woman to capture the best record-breaking performance ESPY, Clark expressed both honor and surprise.
“Yeah, I didn’t know that until my little brother sent it to me this morning. I think it’s super cool. I think it probably shouldn’t have been the first woman to ever win that award in my eyes just because I grew up supporting so many different female athletes that I idolized and I loved. The amount of records that I saw people break and win. Like, to me, how did Serena Williams never win that award?
“That’s crazy just thinking about things like that, but, I mean, hopefully it’s the start to women getting more recognition and their accomplishments being recognized a little bit more. Obviously, it’s cool. But yeah, it’s not something you would have guessed honestly. But, for me, it’s just something I’m really grateful for,” Clark said.
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Clark’s acknowledgment highlights the surprising fact that she is the first woman to win this award, given the many remarkable female athletes who have set records over the years. Serena Williams, widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s athletes of all time, dominated women’s tennis with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, yet never won the ESPY for best record-breaking performance.
This oversight emphasizes the historical lack of recognition for female athletes’ achievements.
Clark’s tribute to Serena Williams and other pioneering women athletes underscores her role as a supporter of women’s sports. As a lifelong advocate for female athletes, Clark’s recognition at the ESPYs serves as a hopeful indicator of increasing acknowledgment and respect for women’s contributions to sports.
Reflecting on the night, Clark’s gratitude and humility were evident. Despite her groundbreaking achievement, she remains focused on the larger goal of advancing recognition for all women athletes.
Her historic ESPY win not only celebrates her personal accomplishments but also paves the way for future generations of women in sports to receive the accolades they deserve.
