Patriot League Success Stories - Where Are They Now?

Betsy Cunningham, Colgate, '97

November 16, 2005

Name: Betsy Cunningham
Institution: Colgate University
Sport: Women's Cross Country/Track and Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
Graduation Year: 1997
Undergraduate Major (GPA): Geology (3.3)/secondary certification in Earth Science

THEN:

• Graduated from Colgate University cum laude
• Served as a captain in six different seasons
• 1995 Patriot League individual cross country champion
• All-Patriot League in cross country (1994, 1995, 1996)
• Named to the Patriot League Women's Cross Country All-Decade team
• All-East selection for 11th place finish in 1996 at ECAC cross country meet
• Outstanding Cross Country Performer at Colgate (1994, 1995, 1996)
• Named 1996 Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Meet
• All-Patriot League for Indoor Track and Field (1995, 1996, 1997)
• Won indoor titles in the 1,000m and Distance Medley Relay in 1996 and mile in 1997
• All-Patriot League in Outdoor Track and Field (1994, 1996, 1997)
• Won outdoor title in the 400m hurdles in 1997
• Outstanding Track and Field Performer at Colgate (1996, 1997)

• Head boys and girls coach for cross country and outdoor track teams at Mercersburg Academy (2001-present)
• Ran professionally for the Mountain West Track Club in Missoula, Mont., which is the only all women professional track club in the U.S. (1997-2001)
• Married to Will Willis, a Colgate graduate and has a ninth-month-old daughter, Molly
• Earned M.S. in geology with an emphasis in volcanic petrology from the University of Montana

Now coaching high school athletes, I realize even more what the Patriot League provides - a Division I athletic experience at a small top notch academic institution - exactly what many of my athletes are looking for. The support from Colgate and the Patriot League provided me with the competitive experience to pursue my dream of competing post-college.