Jacobs' Van Vlierbergen excited for Heisman trip

Lauren Van Vlierbergen has stood on many podiums and had many medals draped around her neck during her illustrious high school running career.

But the medal the Jacobs senior will receive this weekend, and another one she could win, may be the most significant of this young student-athlete's life.

Van Vlierbergen, who recently finished second at the Class 3A state girls cross country meet in Peoria will, with her parents and sister, be spending her 18th birthday weekend in New York City at the Heisman Award ceremony, which culminates with college football's best player being announced to receive the highest honor in that sport.

But before that takes place, the Wendy's High School Heisman winners - one female and one male - will be announced.

Van Vlierbergen, who won the Illinois award in November, is one of six female finalists for the national award. This is the 21st year Wendy's has sponsored the High School Heisman award. The winners will be announced on Friday at Best Buy Theatre, the same venue as the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday, and the high school award ceremony will be televised on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each of the 12 finalists will receive a gold medal and a $2,000 award for their high school. The national winners receive a Wendy's High School Heisman trophy, an additional $8,000 donation to their high school and a $500 Wendy's gift card. The two winners will also be recognized during ESPN's telecast of the Heisman Memorial Trophy award ceremony on Saturday.

The other five female finalists vying for the award are from Rhode Island, Colorado, California, Maryland and Tennessee.

The Wendy's Heisman program honors the successes of exceptional high school seniors throughout the nation, recognizing a student's athletic accomplishments as well as academic achievements and community leadership.

"I'm really excited," said Van Vlierbergen, who will turn 18 on Sunday. "The whole thing is a huge honor. It's cool because this award is more than athletics. It's about being an all-around person and it takes into account grades and community service."

Van Vlierbergen's athletic accomplishments in cross country and track are many, including her state-record win in the Class 3A 800 meters last spring, which made her a no-brainer for Daily Herald Fox Valley Female Athlete of the Year.

A straight-A student who will run on scholarship at Michigan, Van Vlierbergen is going to New York for much more than her running accomplishments.

According to the Wendy's Heisman website Van Vlierbergen's inner drive has enabled her to run through searing hip pain to help her track team. It's what compels her to be a part of her community's "Girls on the Run" program, where she works with young girls to help them become confident athletes and stronger individuals. It's what motivates her to follow in her older brother's footsteps and support her local "Relay For Life" walks, which raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

Most importantly, her commitment to achieving her best and doing her part helped her save a life. As a lifeguard at her local Lifetime Fitness, Van Vlierbergen's biggest challenge is normally to keep patrons from diving into the shallow end of the pool. But one day, in the blink of an eye, she found herself in an emergency situation that demanded all her inner strength.

A mother with her baby in her arms had fallen on the pool deck while suffering a seizure. Van Vlierbergen's training kicked in as she ran to the woman's side and before the baby could shed a tear, she had the child safely in the arms of a bystander. Then, Van Vlierbergen held the mother's head in her hands until the seizure passed.

All of that, as well as her academic and athletic accomplishments were part of the selection process, which Van Vlierbergen said included having to answer five essay questions, "to express yourself and show who you are."

Earlier this week Van Vlierbergen said she hadn't had much time to look at her itinerary for the weekend, leaving that task to her mom, Sheri. Her dad, Dave, and sister, Kathryn, will also make the trip. They will fly to New York Thursday evening and return Sunday and the activity list of things the 12 finalists will do while in the Big Apple is a long one.

As for the possibility of winning the award, Van Vlierbergen, as always, approaches it humbly.

"Either way, I'm just honored to be a national finalist and in the top 12," she said. "It would be amazing to win it. It would be a huge honor."