Finn Valley athlete claims top award in America

FINN VALLEY AC member Sarah Collins was named as Female Athlete of the Year for an Individual Sport by Providence College overnight in America.

Collins was honoured by Providence College at the 55th Annual All-Sports Gala, held at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium on the college campus.

Collins is a five-time All-American and the 2015 Big East Cross-County champion.

She is described by Patsy McGonagle as ‘the best young prospect’ in some 40 years and, having returned form injury late in 2015, she certainly showed just why she’s rated so highly.

She individual and team gold with Providence at the Big East Cross Country in Mason, Ohio, going on to finish second in the North East Region Cross Country.

Collins also led the team to a podium finish (fourth-place) at the NCAA Championships, where she placed 20th to earn All-America honors.

During the indoor season, Collins earned her fifth All-America honors with a 12th-place finish in the 5,000 meters at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championship.

Collins, a biology major, also was named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team for earning a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and finishing as an All-American at the NCAA Championship.

The Big East Conference named Collins as the institutions Female Scholar Athlete of the year in February.