Lincoln Journal Star news article
SEWARD, Neb. – One of Concordia’s most decorated female athletes in school history, Liz King added to her laundry list of awards on Thursday when the Lincoln Journal Star selected her as co-State College Female Athlete of the Year. She shared the honor with Doane’s Marissa DeWispelare, a star on the track. An individual and team national titlist in 2016, King also earned the distinction of U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NAIA National Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year and Concordia Female Senior Athlete of the Year.
“I will never forget the family at Concordia — my teammates, my coaches and the school," King told the Lincoln Journal Star. "We were like a family. Sometimes arguing. Sometimes cheering. And all of the time there for each other.”
King capped off her impressive career as a Bulldog by winning her second career national title, taking first in the hammer. Her 18 points at the 2016 outdoor national championships were the most among her national championship winning teammates. The native of Billings, Mont., won four GPAC titles in the javelin and two in the hammer during her four-year run. She also won a national title in the javelin in 2014. Also named NAIA Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year, King owns the school record in the javelin. She is also the GPAC outdoor meet record holder in the hammer and javelin.
“Simply put, Liz is the best competitor I have ever seen,” said throws coach Ed McLaughlin. “She is the friendliest person to be around, but when the time came to compete, she could flip a switch like no one I’ve ever seen. She didn’t always win, but she was always at her best. She worked on her craft every day she was here. Her personality is what stood out the most. She was always willing to help others, and work with new kids on technical issues. She was always willing to give her free time to help out teammates outside of practice. She is the leader of this team that won a national title. She brought that group together to achieve a goal that was more of a dream to the rest of us.”
King is the third Concordia female athlete in the past four years to be tabbed the State College Female Athlete of the Year by the Lincoln Journal Star. Since the award began in 2000, four different Bulldogs have been honored. Three of the four competed in track and field.
Concordia State College Female Athletes of the Year
2016 – Liz King, track and field
2015 – Bailey Morris, basketball
2013 – Sarah Kortze, cross country/track and field
2005 – Molly Engel, cross country/track and field