Where good news shines

Sidney Barbier is an inspiration.

A national organization honored her for it.

A University of Denver Nordic skier, Barbier on Tuesday earned the 2025 Honda Inspiration Award by the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards. The award honors a female college athlete who has “triumphed in the face of extraordinary physical and/or emotional adversity, injury, illness or personal sacrifice during her collegiate experience, and who has returned to achieve athletic success,” the CWSA said

A Steamboat Springs native, Barbier has overcome years of debilitating health challenges due to nutcracker syndrome, a rare vascular condition that compresses the renal vein that can sometimes lead to intolerable pain for the individual, the school said.

“I am truly honored to be receiving this award and getting the chance to share my story with so many people. It is important to me to act as a voice for all those that are dealing with their own hidden pains,” Barbier said.

Barbier is the first DU athlete to win a national honor from the CWSA.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)