Wolverine Signee Van Vlierbergen Collects High School Heisman Award
12/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- University of Michigan women's track and field and cross country signee Lauren Van Vlierbergen was selected as one of two 2014 Wendy's High School Heisman winners, as announced by Wendy's Friday evening (December 12) at Best Buy Theatre in New York, New York.
The Algonquin, Illinois, native and Harry D. Jacobs High School student was one of 12 finalists (six male, six female) up for the award, and was selected as this year's female recipient, announced at a banquet and ceremony in the heart of Times Square. Quarterback Nolan Henry of Union High School in Camas, Washington, was named the male winner for 2014.
"Lauren is a consummate student-athlete," said women's cross country head coach and track assistant coach Mike McGuire, "We are very proud of her accomplishment of winning the Wendy's High School Heisman Award and we are excited to have her become a part of the Michigan family for the next four years."
In order to be considered for the prestigious honor, Van Vlierbergen had to be recognized as a School Winner, a State Finalist and a State Winner before being invited to New York City for the final ceremony. The award, handed out annually, values well-rounded high school seniors with top-level performance in the classroom, on the field and in the community.
"Lauren embodies a lot of the qualities that student-athletes in this program have had in the past," McGuire continued. "Michigan offers the type of environment to strengthen those qualities and I know Lauren will continue to thrive at the next level. She has had a strong support system; her family, her coaches and everyone at Jacobs High School have obviously done a great job in helping Lauren reach her goals. We hope to continue to foster that when she arrives in Ann Arbor later this year."
Van Vlierbergen, one of the top distance running recruits in the country, has collected a number of honors and awards during her career. She has been a three-year team captain and all-state honoree in cross country and a two-year captain and all-state performer in track and field, winning five team MVP distinctions during that span.
She has tallied seven total state medals between the two sports thus far, including the 2014 state title in the Class 3A 800-meters in track and three consecutive top-10 finishes at the state meet in cross country (7th in 2012, 4th in 2013, 2nd in 2014). She holds five separate school records at Jacobs (one in cross country, four in track), and her athletic accomplishments are accompanied by a series of academic recognitions as well.
An AP Scholar with Honors, Van Vlierbergen is a part of her school's Super Honor Roll, National Honor Society and Student Athlete Leadership Board. She received the President's Volunteer Service Award for completing at least 100 hours of community service each year in school, and was also a VFW Scholarship recipient for her Voice of Democracy essay and accompanying speech. In addition, she is involved in her school's Student Council and Interact Club while serving as the president of the Jacobs Safety Initiative. Van Vlierbergen is also an assistant coach Girls on the Run programs, and serves as the chair of the Founders Day Run committee.
Each of the 12 Wendy's High School Heisman finalists invited to New York received a gold medal and a $2,000 award for their high school, while Van Vlierbergen and Henry earned $8,000 gifts for their high schools, $500 Wendy's gift cards and trophies for their accomplishments. In total, Van Vlierbergen will bring home $10,000 to Jacobs High School.
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard (734) 764-4423
