Mallory Burnham secured her first two individual All-America honors last weekend at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, placing second and third in the 60-meter hurdles and 60-meter dash events, respectively.

The senior completed a 7.60 60-meter dash, breaking her own school record, and she clocked a 8.60 in the 60 hurdle. Coach Joe Sweeney said this indoor season was the pinnacle of Burnham’s successful St. Thomas career.

“Over the course of her four years, she’s gotten better and better until all of the sudden she’s at this point where she’s really at the top of her game,” Sweeney said. “That’s the kind of story you really want for every college athlete.”

Burnham was a leader for the Tommie women’s track team as it tallied its 15th consecutive conference indoor title in March. Her three top-finishes and one runner-up finish accounted for 38 of the St. Thomas women’s 185 points and helped land her the Outstanding Track Athlete title among her conference competition.

Sweeney attributed Burnham’s dedication to her fitness as the “biggest difference maker” in her recent success.

“Mallory really connected with that. She did everything she needed to do as far as training, running hills and getting in the weight room and all those kinds of things … She didn’t just have the desire to do it; she really did do it and really got fit,” Sweeney said.

Burnham said, her recent success has been cheered on from above. After years as her No. 1 fan, Burnham’s mother passed away in February from brain cancer.

“She came to every single one of my track meets,” Burnham said. “January and February she wasn’t able to make it, then she passed away. Now she’s like able to watch me again, which is a good thing.”

Burnham said she runs for her mother.

“I’ve had good and bad days with that, but it’s really helped me to be motivated and driven to be the best that I can be and run for her,” Burnham said.

Burnham and Sweeney hope that drive is carried over into the outdoor season as she caps off her St. Thomas track career.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of an athlete,” Sweeney said. “Our other athletes have been inspired by her, and it’s a great example to everybody for what kind of inner strength you can have and what you can overcome if you really want to.”

Briggs LeSavage can be reached at lesa4364@stthomas.edu.