Cazzola Named USA Track & Field Athlete Of The Week

Christy Cazzola (Sr. • Kaukauna) has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the 6,000-meter NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship in 20:53.

After finishing as the runner-up at last year's national meet and fourth in 2010, Cazzola was able to win her first cross country title. Cazzola now owns five Division III titles.

With 500 meters to go, Cazzola was in second place behind Amherst College's Keri Lambert, but Cazzola was able to close the gap and run past Lambert. Cazzola opened up a lead of 15 seconds over second-place Alison Steinbrunner (Ohio Northern) and another 5 seconds over Lambert, who finished third.

"It meant so much for me to win a cross country title," Cazzola said. "It was so different than track championships, especially for me coming from the middle distances to win a 6 kilometer race. It was a huge accomplishment."

Cazzola is a 27-year-old mother of two who was a standout athlete in high school before deciding to take time off before enrolling in college and resuming her running career.

"I have so many more responsibilities as a mom of two - a student, and working some of the time," Cazzola said. "It can be a little overwhelming at times, but it is worth it."

Now in its 11th year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.