BURLINGTON, Vt. – University of Vermont cross country and track and field alumna and award-winning author Celeste León '87 will return to campus for a presentation in celebration of Latina Heritage Month. León's presentation will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 in the Bostwick Room at Gutterson Fieldhouse. All are invited to attend.
 
The 2001 UVM Athletic Hall of Fame inductee will discuss her life as a physical therapist and author as well as her experiences at UVM.
 
An unprecedented four-time MVP of the women's cross country team, León captained the team as a junior and senior while going on a run of championship performances that was impressive as well as inspirational. In her final two years at Vermont, León was the top Catamount finisher in every cross-country race. She was named All-New England three of her four years of competing, and also was a three-time New England track and field champion.
 
As a freshman, she was Vermont's top runner in the Vermont State Meet, New England Championships and NCAA Qualifier, finishing 17th at the New England Championships and 29th at NCAAs. In 1985, León won the 10,000-meters at the New England Outdoor Championships in a personal best time of 36:01, and in 1986 she successfully defended that title at UVM's Archie Post Field.
 
León also won the Senior Class Special Leadership Recognition Award from the School of Allied Health Services. She was selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in July of 1987, and was a finalist in Time Magazine's College Achievement Awards in the fall of 1985.
 
For additional information on León's career, visit celesteleon.com.