MORGANTOWN — Morgantown’s Irene Riggs continues to add to her storybook career, being chosen as the 2022 recipient of the Hardman Award for the top amateur athlete (prep and college levels) in the state of West Virginia. She is just the sixth female to receive the award since it was first given in 1934 to Fritzi Stifle Quarrier, a golfer from Wheeling.
Former award winners include Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton (1984), NFL hall-of-famer Randy Moss (1997), Pat White (2006, ’07, ’08), Major Harris (1988, ’89), and WVU and NBA hall-of-famer Jerry West (1959, ’60).
“Initially, when I found out I had been chosen as the Hardman Award winner, I was filled with gratitude,” Riggs said. “However, upon discovering that I am the sixth female to ever receive the award, the nomination meant that much more. It’s an incredible honor, and to even be considered along with all the other athletes in the state is extremely special.”
Riggs beat out Shepherd University quarterback Tyson Banget, Independence running back and wrestler Judah Price and West Liberty University men’s basketball player Bryce Butler for the honor.
Earlier in the year, Irene was also named the National Gatorade Player of the Year for girls’ cross-country, the first athlete to ever be named to the award on the national level for any sport from the state.
After earning multiple state titles at the 2022 state track and field meet and helping MHS win the overall girls’ team title, Riggs used the summer to prepare for her senior year not only at the state level but nationally as well.
At the end of the cross country season, Irene captured the state title while beating the state meet record by nearly 45 seconds, posting a time of 16:32.32, over two minutes ahead of second place.
She followed that performance with another record-breaking run, this time at the Nike Southeast Regionals in North Carolina. Riggs ran a time of 16:02.1, setting a new course record by 20 seconds, previously held by three-time national Gatorade POTY Katelyn Tuohy. That time was also the second-fastest recorded 5K by a female at the prep level in the history of high school cross-country.
She then went on to Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon, where she ran a time of 16:40.9, finishing in first by 13.7 seconds and running the second-fastest time ever for the Glendoveer course.
“This year has definitely brought me opportunities I never imagined, which I am extraordinarily thankful for,” Riggs said. “Over the course of the last six months, numerous races have presented themselves, bringing opportunities to race in new places. With that, I have gained experience, formed new relationships and had the chance to represent our state.”
Riggs completed her cross-country season by representing the country as a member of Team USA at the USATF World XC Championships in Bathurst, Australia. Riggs earned 12th overall and helped Team USA earn third place overall, the highest placing ever for the team.
“Having the opportunity to represent the United States in the sport I love will forever be one of the most incredible opportunities I have had the pleasure of experiencing,” she said. “Traveling there with an extremely talented group of people remains something I will forever cherish. I not only got to race in a new country, but I also met some amazing people. It was truly once in a lifetime.”
Now, Irene will run her final race in the city of Morgantown as MHS participates in the Mountaineer Showcase this weekend at Mylan Park track and field complex.
“It’s definitely a sentimental moment for me, just last week my twin (Caroline) and I were discussing its significance,” she said of this weekend’s meet. “Morgantown, as well as the state, has provided me with insurmountable support which, without a doubt, has contributed to my success.”
“I hope to have left an example that hard work and passion can take you to some wonderful places.”
Other females to win the Hardman Award include Quarrier (1934), Mannington rifle shooter Anna Lous Ballew (1940), Parkersburg Catholic basketball player Mary Ostrowski (1979), Retton (1984) and two-time winner, WVU soccer player Kadeisha Buchanan (2015-16). The complete list of Hardman winners can be found on wvswa.org.
Riggs, who was announced earlier as a repeat winner of the McCoy Award as Female Track Athlete of the Year, has added the Hardman Award as state Amateur Athlete of the Year and will be honored for both awards by the W.Va. Sports Writers Association on May 7 at the 76th annual Victory Awards Dinner in Charleston.
TWEET @dompostsports
