Vanderbilt University freshman and former Malibu High School (MHS) cross country standout Caroline Pietrzyk was named SEC Freshman of the Year after an outstanding performance at Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships on Oct. 30.
Pietrzyk finished third overall and first among freshmen in the six-kilometer competition, clocking a personal best time of 19:54.00. The performance led the Vanderbilt Commodores’ 12-runner team to a third-place finish in the team standings.
Pietrzyk is the first Vanderbilt runner in history to receive the SEC Freshman of the Year honor.
“I was very surprised, but it reflects the hard work I’ve put into the sport,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect going onto SECs, so everything was exciting and new.”
The freshman, who was also twice-named SEC Freshman Runner of the Week during the regular season, also earned All-SEC First Team and All-Freshman Team selections.
“Caroline is making history for Vanderbilt,” Associate Head Coach Rhonda Riley said. “She has worked incredibly hard and remains so humble. To achieve [this honor] as a freshman is a compliment to her.”
Pietrzyk was the Commodores’ first place finisher in all four of the team’s regular season meets. Her regular season highlights include running the fastest five-kilometer time in Vanderbilt history on the Commodore’s home course at Vaughn’s Gap.
The Vanderbilt coaching staff began recruiting Pietrzyk in her junior year at MHS, and she further proved herself by winning CIF finals and qualifying for the Foot Locker West Regional Championships during a breakout senior season with the Sharks.
Riley said she is pleased with Pietrzyk’s transition to collegiate athletics. “She is very coachable and hasn’t skipped a beat. Hers is probably the best transition I’ve ever seen.”
This year’s freshman class is especially talented nationwide, according to Riley.
Pietrzyk attributes much of her first-year success to her teammates. “They play the biggest role out of anything. We all train as a unit, and things would be so different if it weren’t for these girls,” she shared.
“Caroline is a ray of sunshine on our team,” Riley said. “The girls have tremendous respect for her and she leads even though she is just a freshman.”
SEC Championships marked the beginning of post-season competition for the Commodores. Pietrzyk and the squad head to NCAA Regionals this week in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The meet, which consists of another six-kilometer course, determines which individuals and teams will qualify for NCAA Championships.
“Our goals for regionals are more team-oriented, since we really want to make it to nationals,” Pietrzyk said. “Our team is a unit and everyone plays a role. The first place finisher is just as important as the last.”
The top two teams at regionals will automatically qualify for nationals, and at-large bids will be given to other individuals based on their performances throughout the season. Vanderbilt is currently ranked second in the south and hopes to place first or second at the regional meet, according to Riley.
Even if the Vanderbilt team as a whole does not qualify for nationals, Pietrzyk still has a chance to qualify as an individual, depending on her performances.
“I want Caroline to have a comfortable regional race,” Riley said. “A top-five finish would be great.”
Pietrzyk said she has loved her first season as a collegiate runner thus far, regardless of the outcome of regionals.
“I loved the meets at the beginning of the season that were more low key, and I loved the meets at the end of the season with more intense competition,” she said. “Most importantly, I loved working with my team throughout the way.”