By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer
When it comes to achievements and setting goals, Carrie Burggraf sets the bar high and then vaults over it, literally. It is a skill she has mastered over four years at APSU as both an athlete and student. As a result of her stellar collegiate career, Burggraf was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Burggraf is a six-time Ohio Valley Conference pole vault champion. She graduated from APSU with a 4.0 GPA in May.
She has earned a long list of awards including the Female Legends Award as APSU’s Most Valuable Senior Athlete and the Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award.
According to APSU Sports Information, Burggraf learned she had earned the award Friday, April 30, while competing in the OVC Outdoor Track Championships.
“It was two hours before my event, so I checked the NCAA website award. It just started off my day great and I was on a high and it just kept going,” Burggraf said. “I am so grateful for everything that I have received at Austin Peay. The [university] has put me out there and taken the time to nominate me for so many different awards. This award, the Legends Award and the Steve Hamilton Award are the three awards I am really most proud of.”
Burggraf went on to win her sixth championship with a 13’05” pole vault. The vault broke the OVC championship record, which she already held.
She was the first pole vaulter in the OVC to clear 13 feet. Burggraf holds the Indoor Track Championship record as well.
Burggraf’s scholarship is one of 174 postgraduate scholarships the NCAA awards annually. They are given to student athletes in their final year of competition who excel both academically and athletically.
The scholarship was created in 1964 and is used to encourage postgraduate education. In addition to athletic and academic achievements, community service, campus involvement and demonstrated leadership are evaluated.
The scholarship is a one-time $7,500 non-renewable grant. Burggraf plans to pursue her postgraduate career at the University of Pittsburgh in the field of global international studies.
Since graduating as one of APSU’s most prolific track stars and taking her last pole vault in competition for the Lady Govs in the NCAA East Regional at North Carolina A&T University Thursday, May 27, Burggraf has earned several more awards in addition to the postgraduate scholarship.
Lady Govs track and field coach Doug Molnar has watched Burggraf work hard and earn accolades for four years and is not surprised she continues to do so.
“This is a culmination of the long line of awards Carrie has garnered. She is an outstanding student and an outstanding athlete who has proven that hard work does pay off,” Molnar said. “We couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.”
Loading ...