Vicki Huber is a former professional American middle distance runner. As a high school athlete she won five Delaware state titles. She also set new state records in the 800m and 1600m.
In the beginning of her college career at Villanova, Huber struggled. She won 3k at the Big East Conference championship but failed to qualify for NCAA’s. She finished 29th at the NCAA Cross Country Championship in 1986, capturing her first All-American award. In 1987, she had a standout track season. She captured the NCAA 3k indoor title. She followed that with another NCAA national title in the 3k outdoor, finishing in 8:54.41.
She improved her cross country finish the following season by taking 9th at the NCAA Championships. She captured another pair of NCAA indoor titles (1500m & 3k) during the 1988 season. During the ’88 outdoor season, she captured her second NCAA outdoor 3k title and took home gold at the USA Championships (1500m). After placing 2nd in the 3k at the Olympic Trials, Huber was on to the Olympics. At the Games, she finished in 6th place with a new personal best, 8:37.25.
She returned to the collegiate season, taking home NCAA titles in the 3k indoor and outdoor. Despite the opportunity to run professionally in Europe, Huber stayed with Villanova for the cross country season. She won the individual NCAA cross country title. Her finished helped Villanova capture the team title.
Huber suffered from several injuries betwen 1990 and 1991. In 1992, she came back to placed fourth at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. She also set a new American road record in the 5k. After giving birth to her daughter in 1995, she started training full force for the 1996 Olympic Games. Huber decided to focus on the 5k. At the trials, Huber failed to finish the race due to lack of hydration and fatigue. Despite the disappointment, she encouraged to try for the 1500m, a race many believed did not suit her strengths best. To her surprised, she finished the 1500 in third place, capturing her spot on the Olympic squad. She experienced another injury just before the Games and failed to qualify for the semifinals.
In 2001, Huber was recognized for her outstanding athletic careerby being inducted into the Delaware Track & Field Hall of Fame. In 2002, she was once again recognized by being inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
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