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Jacobs' Van Vlierbergen wins Wendy's Heisman Award

Jacobs senior Lauren Van Vlierbergen was named the national female winner of the Wendy's High School Heisman Award Friday night at Best Buy Theatre in New York.

“Oh my gosh, it's unbelievable,” Van Vlierbergen told the Daily Herald just as she and her family got back to their hotel from the ceremony. “It's such a huge award and such a huge honor.”

Van Vlierbergen, who will turn 18 on Sunday, won the award after a process that was whittled down from 50 state winners to six finalists.

The announcement came as a total surprise to Van Vlierbergen, a decorated cross country and track star for the Golden Eagles who, among many other running accomplishments, won the Class 3A state championship last spring in the 800 meters.

“I was so shocked I didn't even know what to think,” Van Vlierbergen said of her thoughts when she heard her name announced as the winner. “I'm just so excited.”

Nolan Henry of Camas, Wash., was honored as the male winner of the 21st annual awards.

The Wendy's High School Heisman Award, inspired by Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, celebrates the successes of exceptional high school seniors throughout the nation. Not only does it recognize a student's athletic accomplishments, but it celebrates the value of being well-rounded by also judging their academic achievements and community leadership.

“Wendy's High School Heisman winners are great students and athletes who give their all in everything they do, just like Heisman Trophy winners,” said Archie Griffin, two-time collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy® winner. “Congratulations to Lauren and Nolan, and all of our 2014 national finalists. Their outstanding achievements are inspirational, and we're proud to recognize a job well done.”

Van Vlierbergen, who will attend Michigan on scholarship, will receive a $10,000 donation to her high school, a crystal Wendy's High School Heisman trophy, a $500 gift card to use at Wendy's restaurants, and will appear on the ESPN® national telecast of the collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation on Saturday. The High School Heisman show will be broadcast on ESPN2 Sunday at 4 p.m.

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  Jacobs' Lauren Van Vlierbergen approaches the finish line to take second place in the Class 3A cross country final in Peoria on Saturday. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
  Jacobs' Lauren VanVlierbergen placed first, with a time of 17:06.5, at the St. Charles East boys and girls cross country invite at LeRoy Oaks earlier this year in St. Charles. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
Jacobs senior Lauren Van Vlierbergen, left, displays her Wendy's High School Heisman Award Friday night at Best Buy Theatre in New York City. At right is the male winner Nolan Henry of Camas, Wash. Photo Courtesy Wendy's High School Heisman
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