Lincoln Academy graduated senior Nikki Leeman joined the elite few to have earned 12 varsity career letters in her four years as a Lady Eagle. Leeman earned four letters in track, three in cross-country, three in cheering, and two in wrestling.
She qualified for States in seven out of the 12 seasons, three times in track, twice in cross-country and was an alternate twice in wrestling. She competed in four KVAC track meets and three KVAC cross-country meets, and was named to the KVAC senior All Academic team three times as a senior (GPA 92.89).
Leeman said track was the most rewarding sport in which she competed. “It’s what made me choose to do cross-country. It made me realize I like running.” Leeman started running as a freshman in the outdoor track and field season. “I just liked it,” she said of running. “It came more naturally to me than I expected,” she added.
Leeman placed 6th in KVAC cross-country her first year running in 2007, and placed 3rd her junior and senior year. She qualified for the State B meet twice, with a 10th place West B finish in 2008 and 8th place finish in 2009.
She placed 25th in State B in 2008 and 12th in State B cross country in the fall of 2009. She placed fourth in the KVAC 400 in the spring of 2010.
Leeman will continue her running career next year at Keene State College in New Hampshire. She plans to run cross-country, indoor and outdoor track.
When asked which sport was the hardest, Leeman responded, “definitely wrestling. It was a lot different than anything I’ve ever done. It was not only physically challenging, but mentally challenging as well.”
She ran her first marathon last November, and last week participated in her first 180- mile Trek Across Maine to raise funds for the American Lung Association. She hopes to continue marathon running after graduating from college.
