March 17, 1998

Villanova University junior Carrie Tollefson has been cited as the 1997-98 Cross Country Honda Award recipient, and is a candidate for the Honda-Broderick Cup, which recognizes the outstanding Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

Tollefson, a five-time All-American, won the individual national championship in cross country in 1997, establishing a new course record at the Furman University course. She posted a time of 16:29 in the race, outdistancing second-place Amy Skieresz of Arizona, who finished in 16:39. Tollefson won five individual titles in addition to the NCAA crown last season, capturing the Iona Meet of Champions title, the Penn State Invitational championship, the Big East crown and the MidAtlantic Regional title. Tollefson is currently in the middle of redshirting the 1998 indoor and outdoor track seasons due to an injury she sustained to her heel.

Ballots for the Honda-Broderick Cup are distributed during the year to all NCAA athletic directors to make selections from nominees recommended by the national governing bodies for each of the 11 sports. Balloting is conducted in each sport, and in the Honda-Broderick Cup selection.

Tollefson was one of six nominees for the Honda Award in Cross Country, and earned more votes than Kasia Arient (Lewis University, Angela Graham (Boston College), Skieresz, Tiffany Speckman (Wisconsin-Oshkosh), and Julia Stamps (Stanford).

Winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup will be announced in June during the annual NACDA convention. Should Tollefson win the prestigious award, she will be only the second Villanovan to earn the honor, joining Vicki Huber in 1989.