Molly Rouillard Named MASCAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University senior track and field standout Molly Rouillard has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletics Conference (MASCAC) 2012-2013 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The award is presented annually to male and female senior student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically while a student of a Massachusetts state university. To be considered for the award, a student-athlete must have achieved a least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and be in his or her last year of athletic eligibility.

A native of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Rouillard wrapped up her academic career with an impressive 3.70 grade point average as she just recently graduated from BSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science and Health Fitness.  Molly was named to the Dean's List in each of her ten semesters at Bridgewater and is a nine-time MASCAC All-Academic Team selection.

A six-time MASCAC Cross Country Runner of the Week in the fall, Rouillard won the conference individual title and captured MASCAC Runner of the Year honors for the third straight season.  She qualified for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships and finished 50th at the national meet.

During the winter indoor season, Rouillard captured the conference title in the one-mile run and also earned All-New England Division III status in the 5,000-meter run.  She qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships in the mile and garnered U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American honors by placing seventh in the event.

This past spring track season, Rouillard was selected as the USTFCCCA Division III New England Track Athlete of the Year as she captured the MASCAC championship in the 1,500-meter run, the NEICAAA title in the 5,000-meter run, and earned All-New England Division III honors in the 10,000-meter run. Molly was also a four-time MASCAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week.

Rouillard advanced to the NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the second straight season as she qualified in three events; the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000.  Molly placed seventh in the 1,500 to garner USTFCCCA All-American status and added a 15th place showing in the 5,000.  She did not compete in the 10,000.

During the 2012-2013 track season, Rouillard set BSU indoor records in the 3,000 (10:19.00), mile (4:53.49) and 5,000 (17:22.23) as well as outdoor marks in the 1,500 (4:27.18), 5,000 (16:55.72) and 10,000 (35:49.99).   The indoor mile mark and the outdoor 1,500 record were both eclipsed at their respective national championship meets.

All told, Molly leaves Bridgewater State as the school record holder in seven indoor (four individual, three relay) and five outdoor (three individual, two relay) events. She was selected as the MASCAC Cross Country Runner of the Week an impressive 16 times during her three seasons of competition, and was a ten-time recipient of the MASCAC Track Athlete of the Week award (four indoor, six outdoor).