Senior Chelsea Burns was a co-recipient of the 2012 Colgate Female Athlete of the Year Award. After studying abroad during her junior year, Burns returned for her senior campaign with the women's cross country and track and field teams with a little extra kick in her step. After a solid cross country season that saw the Raiders finish third overall in the Patriot League Championships, Burns got off the block strong setting a new school record in the 3,000-meter run, during the Raiders first indoor track meet of the season. Burns then reset that school record during the Patriot League Indoor Championships, while also winning the title in the mile to be named the Female Track Athlete of the Meet following her performance. Burns carried that momentum with her into her final outdoor season where she finished first in the 1,500-meter run to lead the Raiders at the Louisiana Classics and then set a new school record in the same event at the Bison Outdoor Classic. A week before the Patriot League Outdoor Championships Burns holds the fastest time in the 5,000-meter run and the second fastest in the 1,500-meter. Burns has been named to the All-Patriot League First Team on five different occasions, and has been named to the NCAA All-Academic Team for Cross Country all four of her seasons at Colgate.
