LATHAM, N.Y. – Recent graduate MacKayla Reed (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area Senior) of the Cedar Crest College track & field team was named as the United East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Senior Scholar Athlete award recipient, the league office announced on Thursday.

This award recognizes a senior who truly represents the student-athlete model by performing in competition, in the classroom and around the community. 

Reed only competed on her Track and Field team in her senior year, but her efforts helped create a lasting impact as the Falcons second-place finish at the United East Championships was its best-ever. Reed earned the gold medal in the 3000m Steeplechase and posted the second fastest time in the conference. She also earned ninth in the 1500m. Aside from her track career, Reed was a four-year women's soccer player.

"Speaking on behalf of the entire Cedar Crest Track & Field program, we are so grateful that we got to have Mac join us this season," said Head Track & Field Coach Jaryd Flank. "Her incredible work ethic allowed her to not only excel in the classroom, but to go from an inexperienced runner, to a United East Conference Champion in the steeplechase in the matter of a season. It was an absolute pleasure to have coached Mac this year, and I know she is going to thrive in every role she takes on in grad school and beyond."

In the classroom, Reed double majored in Forensic Science and Chemistry while minoring in Biology and was able to maintain a GPA of a 3.78. Her efforts helped her earn access to four different honor societies as well as earn her United East Scholar Athlete four-years straight. Vice President of SAAC, the Duncansville, Pa. native was very active in her community working specifically with Community Bike Works to help children not only with classwork but also how to repair bicycles. She also spent time aiding in youth soccer camps alongside her Falcon teammates.