Ashley Corcoran (’23) continued to dominate her competition throughout the winter season after a successful fall season. Along with that, she has managed to help lead her team to a second-place finish at the NE10 Championships on February 24 and 25.
Corcoran brought home two major individual awards. The first is the Most Valuable Athlete award. This award is “awarded to the student-athlete compiling the highest point total at the NE10 Indoor Track & Field Championship,” according to the NE10. The second award she earned is the Most Outstanding Track Performer. Corcoran has given everything to the sport, and these awards symbolize the work that she has put in.
“Winning the MVP and Most Outstanding Performer awards had to be one of the best feelings ever,” said Corcoran. “Something I never could have dreamed of happening. They symbolize all the hard work I have put into this sport, and seeing that pay off and actually being recognized for it feels so good.”
There were four events that Corcoran competed in, and she won all of them. She won the mile with a time of 4:57.04, the 3000-meter run with a time of 10:12.31, the 5000-meter run with a time of 17:30.41, and was also the anchor of the winning distance medley team who finished with a time of 12:26.92. Coming off of such a successful season, Corcoran has a whole new mindset toward the sport.
“[This tournament] gave me a whole new confidence in my abilities,” said Corcoran. “Running four distance events is a hard task, and being able to perform in each one of them and come out on top was huge for me. Knowing I could do it was one thing, but actually doing it is a whole other story.”
Corcoran’s winning mile time gave her a bid to the NCAA DII National Championship in Pittsburg, Kansas. While her individual success is impressive, the whole team had a memorable weekend. The Penmen achieved second place, being edged out ten points by American International College. As a leader on the track, Corcoran has nothing but praise for her team.
“I can’t even put into words how proud I am of my team,” said Corcoran. “Everyone has worked so hard to get this program to where it is today. Being second in the conference is huge, and I think everyone’s dedication has really proved to people what SNHU can really do and that we are a force to be reckoned with. Meets like these are huge because I get to show people how hard I have worked, and compete to be the best. This is a part of what I have worked towards, and why I continue to push myself to bigger goals, like going to Nationals.”
This doesn’t mark the end of Corcoran’s success. With the spring season rapidly approaching, she is looking to grow upon her successful winter season.
