Click Here For Release In PDF Format

Somerset, NJ -- Saint Francis (PA) cross country and track and field runner Erika Jacobs (Toronto, Ontario/West Hill Collegiate) is the recipient of the 2006-07 NEC Student-Athlete of the Year award as voted on by members of the Northeast Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The award is based on a combination of academics, athletics, community service and a personal statement by each of the nominees. Also nominated for the award was St. Francis (NY) women’s basketball player Katja Bavendam.

Jacobs joins former NEC Student-Athlete of the Year award winners Joy Gallagher (Wagner, 2005-06), Beth Swink (Saint Francis, 2004-05), Naomi Campano (Mount St. Mary’s, 2003-04) and Sabrina Mariani (CCSU, 2002-03).

"Erika Jacobs represents the finest qualities of a Saint Francis and a Northeast Conference student-athlete," said Bob Krimmel, Saint Francis Director of Athletics. "Saint Francis University is honored by her selection as this demonstrates our commitment to excellence through the student-athlete experience. The entire Red Flash family congratulates Erika and her family for achieving this outstanding honor."

In June, Jacobs became the 29th student-athlete in Saint Francis history to be awarded ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors. She was named to the second team in the women’s track and field/cross country category.

Jacobs was a five-time NEC Scholar-Athlete award winner over the course of her career, including a three-time recipient during the 2006-07 campaign, when she was honored in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. At the conclusion of the spring semester, she was the recipient of the Dr. Philip Benham Scholar-Athlete Award as Saint Francis’ outstanding female student-athlete for 2006-07.

A four-time NEC track champion and four-time all-conference cross country runner, she established an NEC and school record when she won the 800 meters at the 2007 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships with a time of 2:13.21. Jacobs, who helped lead the Red Flash to a combined three NEC titles in cross country and track & field during her career, also won the mile run at the 2007 conference indoor meet (5:02.01) and followed up with a first place finish in the 1,500 meters (4:39.21) at the NEC Outdoor Championships in May.

In the fall, Jacobs took second at the NEC Cross Country Championships, crossing the tape in 18:24.2. The NEC Cross Country Freshman of the Year award winner in 2003 when she placed second at the league meet, she also finished 11th at the NEC Championships in 2004 and sixth in 2005.

"Erika was a pleasant addition to our program and a model student-athlete for Saint Francis University," said Saint Francis head cross country and track and field coach Felix Moreno. "She is an extremely dedicated and talented young lady, and very much deserving of such an honor."

Outside of athletics, Jacobs was a 2006-07 Red Flash Leadership Program participant. She also participated in the Alicia Richardson Sports 4 Kids Day, an afternoon spent organizing and supervising athletic events for children of the community.

The Toronto, Ontario native graduated summa cum laude in May with a 3.99 grade point average in a double major of Psychology and Pre-Law.. Jacobs received the University’s Pre-Law award and was inducted into the Catholic National Honor Society, Political Science National Honor Society and Psychology National Honor Society.