FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - NC Wesleyan University women's track and field athlete Mariah Brooks was named as the 2021-22 Female Athlete of the year, the NCWU athletics department announced this past week. 

*This award honors an athlete's athletic achievements and is separate from the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award which Emily Ketchum won.

Freshman sprinter and second team All-American and  Mariah Brooks set two conference records at the USA South Track and Field Championships in April. The freshman sprinter won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.99 seconds, earning 10 team points for the Bishops, who placed 8th in the 13-team event. Brooks then won the 200-meter dash later in the day in 25 seconds to set another conference and school record. Brooks also finished 8th in the 200 meters in a time of 27.2 seconds. As a result of her feats, Brooks was named the Track Rookie Athlete of the Meet and to the all-conference first team.

In May, Brooks finished 11th overall out of 22 in the 100 Meters at the NCAA Div. III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Ohio with a time of 11.99 seconds finishing two spots shy of the National finals.

Brooks also won three separate USA South Rookie of the Week Awards this season as well as two Athlete of the Week Awards.

"Mariah has had an outstanding season and has accomplished a lot in such little time," commented head coach Bill Dunn. "Winning The USA South and breaking the conference record in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4x100 meter relay is outstanding in itself. Mariah has so much more to offer the sport."

"We had a short season where we did not get to build up the base she needed and get races under her belt. I take responsibility for Mariah ultimately not bringing home the gold for NC Wesleyan. Next year with key additions and NC Wesleyan adding indoor track, the sky is the limit."