USTFCCCA Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Coming off of two individual national titles at the 2016 NJCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Harper College women's track and field athlete Ali Gutt (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) received a prestigious honor from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Gutt was named the Women's National Track Athlete of the Year.
The award was determined by voting from USTFCCCA member coaches based on athletes' performances at nationals and throughout the duration of the spring 2016 track and field season.
Gutt, who was named the Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year just six days prior, won the national award on the basis of her two mid-distance titles as well as her excellence in the regular season. The freshman earned a victory at 1500 meters by over five seconds with a time of 4:52.91. In the 800-meter run, Gutt captured the title by nearly four seconds with a time of 2:16.85, a national meet record and school record.
Gutt also finished the regular season ranked No. 1 nationally in the 1500 and 800 and was a key part of the Hawks' 4x800m relay team. The relay squad placed third at nationals in 10:43.35.
"Ali is an amazing talent who just tapped into her potential," said Harper head track and field coach Renee Zellner. "She is an excellent role model for her teammates, demonstrating commitment to her events and offering support to her teammates."
