Helen Crofts became just the second-ever Simon Fraser University track athlete to be named a Sport B.C. university athlete of the year.
Crofts was presented the award at the Sport B.C. athlete of the year awards dinner at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond on Thursday.
Crofts follows in the footsteps of 1996 university athlete of the year winner Cari Ram persad, who won three consecutive consecutive NAIA crosscountry titles with the Clan in the '90s.
Crofts was chosen over Trinity Western University basketball star Jacob Doerksen, a 2009 winner, and Shanice Marcelle of the Canadian champion University of B.C. volleyball team.
"I didn't know I'd been nominated so it's exciting, it definitely is," said Crofts. "The number of exceptional athletes that have come out of this program is huge. It's a testament to the program. We have outstanding teammates who push each other in training."
Crofts had a stellar junior season on the track in 2011.
She set a new record in 800 metres in the NAIA outdoor championships, breaking head coach Brit Townsend's meet record in the process.
"I believe that (Helen) is one of the best university athletes in the country and is deserving of the recognition," said Townsend. "I think she's really driven to achieve at other aspects of her life. She's really fit."
Crofts was also named the most outstanding performer at the NAIA national outdoor championships, the NCAA Division II Great Northwest conference outdoor and indoor championships. She was the conference outdoor champion at both the 400 and 1,500m, while also winnng the indoor title in the metric quarter-mile in a record time.
But Crofts didn't achieve it alone.
With running partner Jessica Smith, the pair match a striking similarity to another successful Clan pair from the mid-2000s - Julia Howard and Rebecca Johnstone.
Howard was a 10-time NAIA All-American, while Johnstone holds the school 800m record.
As part of Clan relay teams, Crofts also helped set new marks in the NAIA distance medley relay and indoor and outdoor conference 4x800m races.
"Both Julia and Rebecca were fast in their early 20s. They (Crofts and Smith) are following in great footsteps, with great futures if they keep at it," Townsend said.
A biological sciences major with an all-academic 4.08 grade point average, Crofts was also named an All-American in crosscountry and the conference indoor female athlete of the year last season.
In December of last year, Crofts was awarded the Frank Tees memorial trophy as Canada's most outstanding athlete by Athletics Canada.
"I guess the way I look at it is, it's an honour to be nominated," said Crofts. "It's not really a position that I thought I'd find myself being in. It's recognition for an unbelievable season - just training hard and all the memories, the good times I had - it was a good way to top it off."
