BOSTON, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its weekly award winners and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Elizabeth DeLeon has been selected. The senior garnered Runner of the Week honors in cross country after pacing the Lyons to victory at last week's season-opener.
A native of Boise, Idaho, DeLeon helped the Lyons win the 2015 Smith Invitational last Saturday, marking the team's first overall victory since the 2007 season. In the 5k event, she was third overall in a field of 101 runners with a time of 19:59.19. It also marked the top career finish for the senior. As a team, the Lyons won by a 21-point margin, besting NEWMAC-rival Springfield.
This is the first weekly conference honor for DeLeon, who has posted eight top-25 finishes in her career. Among her top finishes include 19th at the 2014 Seven Sisters Championship, 23rd at the 2014 NEWMAC Championship and 89th at the 2012 NCAA Regional Championship.
A member of the MHC indoor and outdoor track & field teams as well, DeLeon had an outstanding 2015 campaign. Among the many highlights included a second-place finish in the 5000-meter run at the Smith Outdoor Invitational, which was a career-best time. DeLeon also placed eighth with a career-high time in the 1000-meters at the ECAC Indoor Championships.
Prior to Mount Holyoke, DeLeon was a two-year member of the cross country team. In addition to serving as captain, she was the recipient of the 2010 Sara Shields Award. She was also a three-year member of the track & field team.
Mount Holyoke returns to action on September 26 when it competes at the Purple Valley Classic, hosted by Williams College. The women's race begins at 1pm.
