GOLDEN EAGLES RICHARD NAMED USTFCCCA EAST REGION WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

            Clarion University junior Erin Richard (Erie/McDowell) is the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) East Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year.

            Richard won here fifth PSAC title this winner, claiming the Mile at the PSAC Indoor meet in a meet-record and school-record time of 4:59.21.

            “I’m thrilled for Erin,” Clarion interim head coach Jayson Resch said. “She has worked very hard to get to where she is right now and is very deserving of this honor. She is a hard worker both on the track and in the classroom.”

            Richard’s title in the indoor Mile this season was her fourth individual PSAC title in the past two years. Last year, she won the 3,000 indoors and the 1,500 and 3,000 outdoors while also being a member of the indoor championship Distance Medley Relay team. Last season she also qualified for the NCAA Outdoor championships in both the 3,000 and 5,000 finishing ninth in the nation in the 3,000 and 14^th in the 5,000.

            This season, Richard has qualified for the NCAA Indoor national meet in Boston and will run the 5,000 Saturday.

            GOLDEN EAGLES NOTES – Richard’s qualifying time for the indoor 5,000 was 17:09.48, the ninth fastest time in the country … Richard also had a solid cross country season in the fall earning All-Region honors with an 11^th place finish. 

Erin Richard