Emily Kearney named USTFCCCA National Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

NEW ORLEANS, La. (June 2, 2021) – Graduate student Emily Kearney capped her exceptional career with a pair of record-setting championships at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NAIA National Women's Track Athlete of the Year on Wednesday afternoon.

Kearney took home gold medals in the 10k and 5k, set a pair of NAIA championship records and was named the most outstanding performer at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in late May.

She posted a 10k time of 34:07.91, nearly six seconds faster than standing championship record. Two days later, Kearney won the 5k and dusted the meet record by more than 10 seconds with a 16:09.11.

During the regular season, Kearney posted the fastest times in NAIA history in the 5k (15:39.65) and 10k (33:09.65). She also finished the year second on the national leaderboard in the 1500 (4:26.46) and fourth in the 800 (2:12.66).

Kearney was the AAC runner of the year after setting championship meet records in the 1500 (4:31.18) and 5k (15:54.96).