On Feb. 8, senior Darby Hubner received the 2026 National Girls and Women in Sports Award during halftime of the Rutgers women’s basketball game against the Minnesota Gophers.
The NGWSA award is a prestigious honor that recognizes female athletes who make a difference in women’s sports. An email is sent to athletic directors around the state, who then reach out to coaches of women’s sports teams, who will nominate one or more students.
WHS Athletic Director Jim DeSarno said, “I reached out to many coaches, and Darby’s name was the first one that came up.”
Hubner is the captain of the varsity girls basketball team at WHS. She has been a part of the Westfield basketball program since fourth grade and over the years, Hubner has developed into both an experienced basketball player and a star student.
DeSarno said, “Hubner was a great pick for this award. She represents the program perfectly as both a strong athlete and a star student.” Hubner will be attending Georgetown University in the fall, majoring in Business. She hopes to continue playing club basketball for fun between her studies.
Hubner has been a major contributor to the girls varsity team this year, with her tough defense and excellent three-point shooting. Her performance has been a key factor in the team’s success this season, with a record of 15-6.
When asked about the award, Hubner said, “It is a huge honor to be selected for this award, and to encourage young girls to play sports. Encouraging others to watch women’s sports is really important to me and something I am really passionate about.”
Along with her athletic abilities, Hubner is the Editor-in-Chief of Hi’s Eye, the weekly student-run newspaper at WHS. This role only further emphasizes her leadership skills and capabilities. Recently, Hubner wrote an opinion article titled “‘Go Westfield!’ But Only When It’s a Boys Team.” This article was reposted by the WHS women’s sports team Instagram accounts, including field hockey, soccer and lacrosse, making them feel seen and appreciated. Hubner said that her ability to speak out about a topic like this most likely played a big role in her receiving this award.
Hubner has clearly worked hard both as an athlete and as a student to earn this prestigious award. Hubner will continue to be a leader in both of these worlds, setting a phenomenal example for future women in sports.
