Women’s Outdoor Track and Field | 6/11/2025 9:59:16 AM
Rebecca Heuler of the SUNY Brockport women’s track and field team was named the 2024-25 Empire 8 Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, based on a vote by the conference Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs). The award honors one female student-athlete who best exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated scholar and athlete over the course of their collegiate careers.
Heuler wrapped up a tremendous collegiate career by earning First Team NCAA All-American honors in the javelin throw at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, placing sixth overall. In 2024, Heuler won the national championship in the javelin with a career-best throw of 47.34 meters (155’ 4”) to be become SUNY Brockport’s fourth female outdoor national champion in any event. Heuler was a two-time SUNYAC Champion in the javelin and also competed in the event at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships, held at St. John Fisher University.
Heuler enjoyed a banner debut season in the Empire 8, recording career-bests in the both the shot put and weight throw at the 2025 Empire 8 Indoor Track and Field Championship in February. She won the E8 title in the javelin at the outdoor championships in Brockport on May 2. She was also honored as the 2025 Empire 8 Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Torchbearer Award for academic excellence.
“Rebecca embodies everything you want in a student-athlete — relentless work ethic, quiet confidence, and an unshakable drive to lead by example,” said Brockport Head Coach Ed Jaskulski. “Her journey to a national title wasn’t easy, but through every setback and challenge, she showed the kind of perseverance that inspires an entire program.”
A native of Piermont, N.Y., Heuler recently earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Brockport, while carrying a tremendous 4.0 grade-point average. She was named the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year in 2024.
A three-time USTFCCCA Academic All-American, Heuler was named to the SUNY Brockport President’s List and SUNYAC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, while also winning the SUNYAC Elite 20 Award for Academic Excellence in 2024.
Most recently, Heuler was named SUNY Brockport’s SHAPE America Major of the Year and the KSSPE Departmental Scholar for Physical Education Teacher Education. She was also nominated for the Jay B. Nash Major of the Year Award at the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
“Rebecca’s accomplishments in the classroom and community in addition to her accolades as a national champion track and field athlete are remarkable,” said Joe Venniro, Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner. “She is epitome of an ideal student-athlete and has a bright future ahead of her.”
Outside of the field and classroom, Heuler excelled in community engagement, volunteering at several events at Brockport, including the Empire State Games for the physically challenged, Westside Challenger Tennis, Rochester Rookies, Brockport Egg-A-Palooza and the SUNY Brockport swim and gym.
Rebecca is an exceptional young woman who is unmatched in everything she does,” said Dr. Lauren Bean, Assistant Professor of Physical Education at SUNY Brockport. Her accomplishments in academics, athletics, and service speak for themselves. What truly sets Rebecca apart is her desire to serve her surrounding community. She also has worked extensively in community programs that host youth with disabilities and is compassionate, dedicated, and encouraging to the youth and students she worked with.”
2024-25 Empire 8 Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalists
Abigail Gatza, Alfred University – Softball
Rebecca Heuler, SUNY Brockport – Track and Field
Hailey Roethel, SUNY Geneseo – Field Hockey
Kristen Vacarelli, Hartwick College – Lacrosse
Deborah Cross, Houghton University – Field Hockey
Annika Monfort, Nazareth University – Soccer
Aliva Turk, SUNY Poly – Basketball/Softball
Leah Madore, Russell Sage College – Softball
Sydney Carpenter, St. John Fisher University – Lacrosse
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
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