SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior cross country runner Macee Moreno was nominated for the CIF Spirit of Sport award. This award recognizes student-athletes based on exemplary sportsmanship, school/community service and leadership.

While she was not selected, she was recognized with a certificate from the CIF recognizing her nomination in a presentation at the Feb. 13 basketball game by Athletic Director Mark McGreevy. She will have a chance at a $1,000 scholarship among the other nominees for the award.

“I believe that “Spirit of Sport” can be defined as a being a selfless individual, committed to your team, always putting in your best effort, showing support and encouragement through all the pain and disappointments or even the most joy filled moments, and having the same joy for your teammates’ success as you would have for your own. I strive to live by this definition every day,” wrote Moreno in her essay for the award.

Moreno suffered a stress fracture and was sidelined for most of the cross country season. But she worked tirelessly to get back healthy to enable a chance to return to the lineup before the end of the season. Despite her injury she has continued to be a leader for our team. At every meet this fall, she led the cheers from the sideline for the team.

“While she has not been able to contribute on the course most of the season, she helped our team grow with her enthusiasm and dedication on race day,” said Head Coach John DuCray. “She is a team captain and has showed her leadership on and off the course.”

Moreno has a 3.9 GPA and has received academic honors in biology and English. She has been a member of the cross country and track and field teams each of her four years at St. Francis, helping the team to three state Top-10 finishes and two section titles in cross country. On the track she was a part of the school-record 4×1600m relay team.

Moreno returned to the course late in the season and will be a key member for the track and field team this season.