New Orleans, La. - In a historic moment for the CMU Track and Field program, junior Renee Finke was named the 2024 NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Co-National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association this week. 

She is the first athlete in program history to earn the award. 

"Renee is the real deal," stated CMU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Kenny Anderson. "She exemplifies the true spirit of the term student-athlete. She tackles her studies and training with equal passion and dedication. Her ability to balance both with such excellence is truly inspiring to everyone around her."

Finke, a native of Montgomery City, Missouri, boasts a 4.0 cumulative GPA as a biology major in the classroom. This past outdoor season, she became the program's first national champion in 20 years in the high jump. She cleared a school record height of 1.77 meters to place first and earn All-America honors. 

She finished fifth in the heptathlon with 5,071 points, becoming a two-time All-American during the 2024 outdoor campaign.

Additionally, she earned a pair of All-America finishes during indoor season in the penathlon (second) and the high jump (sixth). Altogether Finke was a four-time All-American during 2023-24.

She was also a key piece to the program's fifth place finish at indoor nationals and a 10th place standing at outdoor nationals. 

To view the release by the USTFCCCA on this year's Scholar Athletes of the Year, please click here. 

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