Nicole Blaesser Runs to PSAC Athlete of the Week Award

IUP junior Nicole Blaesser has been selected the PSAC  Athlete of the Week after taking over the top spot in the conference in a pair of events on Saturday.

Blaesser, a graduate of Oxford High School, won the 3000 meters (10:19.91) and was third in the mile (5:10.96) in a field comprised of a mix of Division I and II athletes.

Her times were both good enough to move her into first place in the latest PSAC individual rankings.

A year ago, Blaesser was a three-time All-PSAC performer.  At the conference indoor meet, she was sixth in the 5000 and then placed fourth in the 5000 and fifth in the 3000 at the outdoor meet.

She qualified for outdoor nationals in the 10,000 last spring and took home a 12th place finish. 

Blaesser is also a standout in cross country.  She was fourth at the NCAA East Region meet last November, helping the IUP women earn a berth to nationals.  She also earned a spot on the all-region team in 2004 by finishing 15th.