Manchester University's Rowe named inaugural HCAC Female Athlete of Year
Manchester University junior women's track and field and women's soccer student-athlete Bridgette Rowe (La Quinta, Calif.) was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's inaugural Female Athlete of the Year Monday, June 2.
"Being named the female athlete of the year for a competitive conference, the HCAC, is a huge honor," she said. "The professors, athletic trainers, fellow student athletes, and coaches at Manchester University are the reason I have succeeded (as an athlete). The continuous support from my family and friends makes it easier to be away from home, too. I am grateful to HCAC and Manchester University for allowing me to represent them as a student-athlete."
She earned NCAA Division III indoor track and field All-American accolades in the high jump, placing fourth overall with a leap of 1.69 meters. She was also one of three student-athletes nominated for the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's Great Lakes Region Female Athlete of the Year during the indoor season.
Rowe earned the HCAC Field Athlete of the Year at the indoor and outdoor championships, while setting a new conference record in the indoor triple jump. She was also a fixture in the Spartans' women's soccer line-up throughout the fall of 2013. The junior saw action in all 20 matches helping lead the squad to a second-place finish in the league standings with a 12-7-1 overall record. Rowe, the school record holder in the indoor and outdoor triple jump and indoor high jump, adds the HCAC Female Athlete of the Year award to her previous recognition as Manchester University's M Club 2013-14 Female Athlete of the Year as well.
The HCAC Player of the Year award is in its first year of existence. The award is voted on by the sports information directors of each member institution.
