Crush’s Rhiannon Walker named 3C2A Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Clovis Community College Athletics is proud to announce that former Crush women's cross country and track & field standout Rhiannon Walker has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2024-25 3C2A Scholar-Athlete Award.

The Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest student achievement honor awarded annually by the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A). The two winners, along with members of the annual honor roll, are selected by the 3C2A Awards Committee from nominations made by community colleges throughout California.

Walker, Male Scholar-Athlete Award winner Ian Mowad from Palomar College baseball, and the honor roll selections will be recognized at the 3C2A Scholar-Athlete Luncheon on April 1 as part of the annual 3C2A Convention held this year at the Los Angeles Marriot Burbank Airport in Burbank.

Candidates for the Scholar-Athlete Award must carry a minimum GPA of 3.5 and must also show outstanding leadership as an athlete, student, or in other college and community activities, as well as have participated in two seasons of sport at a California community college.

The Scholar-Athlete Award for Walker puts the finishing touch on the finest athletic career in the history of Crush Athletics.

Walker rewrote the Clovis record books while competing in women's cross country and track and field. Her work ethic, coachability, and great energy led her to one of the most successful careers for the Crush, resulting in quite the resume that includes seven All-America honors, six All-State First-Team nods, NorCal Regionals Track MVP, Central Valley Conference Track MVP, and All-CVC for Cross Country. 

Her inaugural year gave just a glimpse of what was to come, as she finished sixth at the 3C2A Cross Country State Championships, and after never competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, or clearing a hurdle for that matter, Walker won the 3C2A State Championships in just her third attempt at the race. She then went on to place sixth at the USA Track & Field U20 Championships – a national competition against NCAA athletes from all divisions.

But her sophomore year was when the accolades really poured in. Between winning the 3C2A Cross Country title, 3,000-meter steeplechase, and 10,000 meters, she added numerous NorCal Regional and Central Valley Conference titles and runner-up finishes.

"Sometimes, championship races can be stressful for both coaches and athletes," Clovis Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach CJ Albertson said. "While coaching her, that 'stress' was replaced with joy and a sense of peace with whatever the outcome was going to be. Her attitude made it easier to simply enjoy the moment. I believe Rhiannon has made me a better coach and ultimately has left a positive legacy for Clovis Community College Cross Country and Track and Field."

Walker found balance between the course and track with the classroom and in the community, earning a 3.94 grade point average as a physical education major and being named to the Dean's List for each semester. She was also awarded the Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Chancellor's Award of Distinction for earning a 4.0 GPA for consecutive semesters and Torch of Excellence President's Scholar in 2024 (3.51-4.0 GPA). She graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2025.

She was also an active member of the University Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church, where she regularly volunteered her time in the nursery as well as working with its video production team. Walker also partnered with her Crush teammates to support various community initiatives, including a successful holiday toy drive in conjunction with Toys-4-Tots.

"I found Rhiannon to be one of the kindest and most humble student-athletes I've worked with," Clovis Counselor Karie Hannigan said. "She has so many positive traits that she often shared with our program and community. Rhiannon is a quiet but an extremely fierce competitor."

Albertson added, "One of her best qualities in my opinion was not letting the success of running take over her life. Although she was one of the most diligent and consistent athletes I've ever coached, she always kept running in the right perspective relative to the rest of her life. She focused on having good relationships with her teammates and family and stayed involved with her church and community."

Walker has continued her academic and athletic career at nearby NCAA Division I Fresno State where she finished 161st out of 263 runners at the NCAA West Region Cross Country Championships in November. And in track and field, she has already made her mark, setting the school record for the women's indoor 5,000 meters (17:15.29) in January, besting the previous record by nearly six seconds and ranking in the Top 15 in the Mountain West Conference this season.

Walker plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.