COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2022-23 University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus awards were announced Tuesday evening.  Among the awards presented was the Thomas F. McLaughlin Award, awarded a male and female student-athlete.  The 2022-23 UCCS McLaughlin Award winners are track and field student-athletes Dakota Abbott and Audrey Bloomquist.
 
"It is my honor to award the prestigious McLaughlin Award to Audrey and Dakota this year," said UCCS Executive Director of Athletics Nathan Gibson.  "They both exemplify the essence of this award, excelling at the very top of their sport along with being outstanding students, leaders and people.  Congratulations to Audrey and Dakota!"
 
The Thomas F. McLaughlin Award is presented annually to the top student-athletes who have excelled in their sport, achieved in the classroom, have been a leader on their team and served their communities. These individuals represent the very best that Mountain Lion student-athlete have to offer.  
 
Dakota Abbott, MBA Program (R-Senior, Amherst, Neb./Amherst High School)
2022-23 OUTDOOR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Has competed in three meets

• Currently ranks fourth in Division II in the triple jump (15.62m)

• Won the triple jump at the CSU Pueblo Spank Blasing Invite

 
2022-23 INDOOR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 

• USTFCCCA Second Team All-America in triple jump

• All-RMAC First Team in the triple jump

• USTFCCCA All-South Central Region in the triple jump

• RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll

• Placed ninth in the triple jump (14.90m) at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships

• RMAC Indoor Track & Field Triple Jump Champion (15.70m)

 
DAKOTA ABBOTT'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 

• NCAA Division II National Qualifier – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Outdoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Indoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Outdoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Indoor (TJ, LJ) … 2019-20 Indoor (TJ)

• NCAA Triple Jump National Champion – 2020-21 Indoor

• All-America First Team – 2021-22 Indoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Outdoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Indoor (TJ) … 2019-20 Indoor (TJ)

• All-America Second Team – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ)

• CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team – 2021-22 Outdoor

• COSIDA Academic All-District 6 – 2021-22 Outdoor

• USTFCCCA All-Academic – 2021-22 Outdoor  

• USTFCCCA South Central Top Regional Performer – 2021-22 Outdoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Outdoor (TJ)

• USTFCCCA All-Region – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Outdoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Indoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Outdoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Indoor (TJ, LJ) … 2019-20 Indoor (TJ)

• RMAC Male Field Athlete of the Year – 2021-22 Outdoor … 2020-21 Outdoor

• RMAC Individual Champion – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Outdoor (TJ)

• All-RMAC First Team – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Outdoor (TJ) … 2021-22 Indoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Outdoor (TJ) … 2020-21 Indoor (TJ, LJ) … 2018-19 Outdoor (TJ) … 2018-19 Indoor (LJ)

• All-RMAC Second Team – 2020-21 Outdoor (LJ)

• RMAC All-Academic First Team – 2021-22 Outdoor … 2021-22 Indoor

• RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll – 2022-23 Indoor … 2020-21 Outdoor … 2020-21 Indoor … 2019-20 Indoor

• RMAC Field Athlete of the Week – March 30, 2022 … Jan. 21, 202 … Dec. 17, 2019

 
 
Audrey Bloomquist, Track & Field, Business major (R-Junior, Helena, Mont. / Capital High School)
 
2022-23 OUTDOOR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Has competed in three meets

• Currently ranks sixth in Division II in the Triple Jump (12.46) and 25^th in the Long Jump (5.88m)

• Recorded PR marks in the Triple Jump (12.46) and 25^th in the Long Jump (5.88m) at the CSU Pueblo Open

• Has won the 4x100m relay twice and the triple jump once this season

 
2022-23 INDOOR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Second-Team All-America in triple jump

• All-RMAC First Team in the 60m dash, long jump, and triple jump

• RMAC Individual Champion in 60m dash and Triple Jump

• Named RMAC Women's Athlete of the Meet after scoring 26 points at the 2022-23 RMAC Indoor Championships

• RMAC All-Academic First Team

• USTFCCCA All-South Central Region in the 60m and triple jump

• RMAC Women's Field Athlete of the Week (Jan. 24 and 31)

 
AUDREY BLOOMQUIST'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 

• NCAA Division II National Qualifier – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ), 2021-22 Outdoor (4x100m Relay)

• All-America Second Team – 2022-23 Indoor (TJ)

• USTFCCCA All-Academic - 2021-22 Outdoor

• USTFCCCA All-South Central Region - 2022-23 Indoor (60m, TJ) … 2021-22 Outdoor (4x100m Relay)

• All-RMAC First Team – 2022-23 Indoor (60m, LJ, TJ) … 2021-22 Outdoor (TJ, 4x100m Relay)

• All-RMAC Second Team – 2021-22 Outdoor (LJ) … 2021-22 Indoor (LJ, TJ) …. 2020-21 Indoor (LJ, TJ) … 2019-20 Indoor (TJ)

• RMAC Individual Champion – 2022-23 Indoor (60m, TJ), 2021-22 Outdoor (4x100m Relay)

• RMAC Women's Athlete of the Meet – 2022-23 Indoor

• RMAC All-Academic First Team – 2022-23 Indoor, 2021-22 Outdoor

• RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll – 2021-22 Indoor … 2020-21 Outdoor … 2020-21 Indoor

• RMAC Women's Field Athlete of the Week – (Jan. 24 and 31, 2023)

 
"There are no people more deserving than Audrey and Dakota for this prestigious award," commented Ross Fellows, UCCS Head Track & Field Coach. "They have both shown excellence in everything since the day they arrived on campus. Audrey and Dakota are the complete package in terms of personality, character, drive, skill and humility. They are both two of the best student-athletes in UCCS history, who have done a phenomenal job leading our men and women on and off the track. I am so proud to have coached both of them over the years."