Distance runner makes an example for teammates, classmates in all she does

AUSTIN, Texas – Gabby Crank is a student-athlete, like many others with a lot on her plate. The junior from Dallas is double majoring in Business Honors and Plan II Honors and juggles all that goes with being a collegiate athlete for a perennial power, but she also has made an impact in her community and been a leader. For those efforts and more Crank was named one of the six recipients of the 2018 President’s Leadership Award.

Given annually by the Texas Exes, the President’s Leadership Award is given to six students each year who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the student community at The University of Texas. Each year the award goes to one sophomore, two juniors and three seniors. This year’s recipients represent a wide range of activities on the Forty Acres.

Crank was one of three recipients from the McCombs School of Business this year and she has set herself apart from her peers on campus with her rigorous schedule and passion for learning while making a difference.

“Honestly, this award came as a surprise because there are so many awesome leaders I’ve gotten to know on our team and around UT’s campus. I’m utterly humbled and honoured to be considered a representative of such a great group of people,” Crank said. “This award doesn’t change who I am or the way I hope to tackle every day, but is an amazing reminder that the little things don’t go unnoticed.”

Already a member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team as one of the top student-athletes in both performance and grades in her event nation-wide, Crank has studied abroad in Rome, been an education volunteer for human trafficking in Thailand and serves her fellow student-athletes as representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a worship leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Assistant Coach Brad Herbster works with Crank on the track daily and knows what she means to the team and has witnessed her attitude make the Longhorns better.

“I’m not surprised to see Gabby win the President’s Leadership Award because she deserves this amazing honour for so many reasons,” Herbster said. “Gabby brings a positive attitude to practice every day and her fun personality is infectious and really lifts the spirits of her teammates. Gabby is a true leader by her example and I know she will continue to make an impact on this campus and beyond when she graduates from The University of Texas.”

Interim Head Coach Tonja Buford-Bailey also has noticed the impact Crank has had on the team and knows her leadership has made a difference for the Longhorns on and off the track.

“The thing I love about Gabby Crank is she always has a smile on her face,” Buford-Bailey said. “That joy she brings to the track and the locker room every day is what makes her special and someone that her teammates gravitate to as a leader. She is a very special person that we are proud to have on our team.”

Crank will help the women’s track & field team attempt to sweep the conference indoor and outdoor titles this weekend in Waco. The Big 12 Outdoor Championship is set to run Friday through Sunday on campus at Baylor with Crank running the 800 meters. She currently ranks No. 3 in the Big 12 with her time of 2:05.22. That time also stands at No. 25 in the NCAA this season. Crank contributed to the women’s team title indoors in February by finishing fourth in the 800m and running on the fifth-place distance medley relay.

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