Burnett Named Al Heppner Scholarship Recipient

Katie Burnett

Oskaloosa—Katie Burnett (Sr., Mesa, Ariz., Arizona) was recently honored as the recipient of the Al Heppner Memorial Scholarship.

The North American Racewalking Institute has given out the $2,500 award since 2004 and Burnett is the 2010 recipient.  In just two years at Penn, the senior is already a four-time NAIA All-American (twice each in indoor and outdoor track) and currently owns a 3.78 GPA.  She received NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition for track last spring.

Burnett owns school records in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter race walk events and finished as high as second in last year’s NAIA indoor competition.

“I am very honored to be chosen to receive the Al Heppner Memorial Scholarship award,” Burnett said.  “I am humbled that the committee felt me deserving of this award.”

Al Heppner was a four-time NAIA All-American at Wisconsin-Parkside, including winning the 5,000-meter national championship in 1997 with a national record of 20:07.38.  Prior to his passing in 2004, he was one of the best race walkers in the nation and was working towards qualifying for the Olympics.

“This a great honor for Katie,” William Penn Track and Field Coach Allen Friesen said.  “I know she has worked very hard and is very passionate about race-walking.  I cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive this scholarship.”

Burnett will compete in her first race walk event of the year on Saturday at the Ashford Race Walk in Clinton.

For more information on the award, click here

Wade Steinlage