Mizzou track star Karissa Schweizer finishes as finalist for Collegiate Women’s Athlete of the Year

LOS ANGELES – Mizzou Track and Field star Karissa Schweizer capped off a record-setting season by being named a finalist Collegiate Women’s Athlete of the Year Monday at the Honda Cup.

The winner was Stanford swimmer Katie Ledecky who won four gold medals during the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Schweizer was one of 12 finalists for the award and recently set a school record in the 5,000 meter at the United States Track and Field Championships with a time of 15:18:69. Schweizer won what is known as the NCAA distance triple crown by winning a national title in the 5,000 meter in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

In 2016, Schweizer captured the SEC, NCAA Midwest Regional and NCAA Cross Country championships, becoming the first MIzzou athlete to win a national title in cross country. She previously was named SEC Women’s Runner of the Year and earned three All-American titles.

“When I was crossing the finish line, it was like a dream came true,” Schweizer said.

“I envision myself winning races, and I talked to my coach beforehand. He just said your fitness is there. Just trust in yourself, and you can be in the top five. I really trusted him,” Schweizer said.

Her three national titles tie her with former Mizzou wrestler J’Den Cox as the only two Mizzou athletes in history to win at three or more national titles. She is the first Mizzou women to win three national titles and is just the second in NCAA history to do so. However, Schweizer still has one more season to add to her total, and she said she is excited for next year.

“Honestly I didn’t even see myself coming,” Schweizer said.

She may not have seen herself coming, but nobody will overlook her next season.