Cross country runner Chloe Susset, junior business management major from France, was voted Women’s Athlete of the Year for the NCAA Division II’s South Central Region.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association honored Susset with this award Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Susset is the fourth Wildcat cross country member to receive the region’s top tribute over the past three seasons, joining previous runners Anais Belledant (2010), two-time winner Amos Sang (2009, 2010) and Julius Nyango (2010).
Susset and teammate Alyse Goldsmith, junior accounting major from Katy, will compete at the NCAA Div. II National Championships in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday.
“I’m very excited for nationals,” Susset said. “I get to see some French people from the other teams that made it to the meet. I’ve never made it to nationals for cross country, and I’m just excited.”
Before the NCAA Div. II South Central Regional, Susset told herself that her reward for finishing in the top five would be buying warm clothes for the national tournament. She not only came in the top five but won the meet with a time of 21:37.90.
“The night after the meet, I treated myself to warm running outfits. I look forward to buying a dress for the national banquet. It’s going to be cold, and I have everything to be warm now.”
Susset said she uses cross country as a way to train herself for the upcoming track season, which begins early in the spring semester.
“I really don’t like cross country to tell you the truth, but I know this is going to make me better for track,” she said. “I’m improving my time all the time and can see what’s going to happen for track.”
Head coach Chris Woods said Susset has a tendency to fall to the ground when she finishes a race.
“I’m done, so I have to lie down; it’s a habit I learned when I was young,” Susset said.
Susset said she’s running at a faster speed this year.
“I want to enjoy the trip, make my coach proud and bring my teammates to the highest level. I want to place in the top 40 so I can be an All-American.”
Woods said he doesn’t think Susset or Goldsmith have peaked yet, but with the way they’ve been running, the peak should be the next race.
“I think they can be All-Americans,” Woods said. “It won’t be an easy thing to do, but I definitely think it’s a possibility.”
