2009-09-28 11:26:40.0
Vroman named Region III Female Athlete of the Year
As the Mohawk Valley Community College athletic programs enter a new season, the College's athletes continue to be recognized for their accomplishments for winning to two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championships.
On Tuesday, Heather Vroman (Utica/Proctor High) was named the 2008-09 NJCAA Region III Female Athlete of the Year. While not alone in leading the Hawks to winning national championships in women's cross country and women's track and field, Vroman was the driving force with top finishes in several races while posting the best time in Region III for the 2008 season.
She led MVCC to an NJCAA National Championship by winning the race and setting a course record with 19 minutes, 11 seconds. MVCC scored 51 points as a team. While a member of MVCC's cross country team, Vroman won the Mountain Valley Conference, the Region III and national champion races. Vroman was selected as the NJCAA's Region III Athlete of the Week after winning the regional Cross Country Championships with a time of 20 minutes, 15 seconds - over a minute faster than the second place finisher.
During the indoor track season, Vroman qualified to compete at the national championships in the mile, 1000 meters and was on Region III's distance medley relay team which placed eighth at the Indoor Nationals at Texas Tech University.
During the spring outdoor track and field season, Vroman set a school record in the steeplechase as well as being crowned the Region III champion in the 1500-meter run and being a member of the 3200-meter relay team as MVCC won the team championship.
At nationals, she won the steeplechase, 1500-meter run and a member of the 3200-meter relay team. Vroman was selected by the coaches as top female track athlete of the meet as MVCC won its second team national title.
After MVCC, Vroman won a scholarship to compete for Canisius College.
The NJCAA is an association of intercollegiate athletics for community and junior colleges throughout the United States. There are 527 participating institutions.
