Former Rawlins Star Sydney Thorvaldson Wins SEC Freshman Award

Former Wyoming High School distance-running standout Sydney Thorvaldson was selected as the SEC Indoor Freshman Runner of the Year on Wednesday.

The Rawlins, WY native was the top freshman runner in both the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters at the recent SEC Indoor Championships. Thorvaldson finished fifth in the 5,000 with a career-best time of 16:00.14. She also ran a career-best 9:07.95 in the 3,000 and placed seventh.

The freshman moved into ninth place on the University of Arkansas’ all-time indoor list in the 5,000-meters with her time.

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Thorvaldson scored six points in the two events. Those were part of the Razorbacks' 127.5 points and helped Arkansas win their eighth consecutive SEC Indoor Championship.

Thorvaldson was the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2021 and a four-time Gatorade Wyoming Cross Country Runner of the Year. She's the most decorated Gatorade Award winner in Wyoming state history with six total. That includes two girls' track and field Gatorade honors.