The first athlete in University history to be recognized as the Female Athlete of the Year and the Female Student Athlete of the Year, Mariam Knijn's all-around talents reached a level that few Terriers have approached before or since.
A two-time All-American, and four-time All-East selection, she competed in the NCAA Championships on six occasions, captured 27 Greater Boston and New England Championships, and was a six-time MVP of the Terriers' indoor and outdoor track teams.
Knijn secured her first All-America honor after finishing sixth in the 400 meters and the 1989 Indoor NCAA Championships, and added her second after compiling a school record 5,400 points to place sixth in the heptathlon at the 1990 Outdoor NCAA Championship.
On five occasions she captured an individual title at the ECAC Championships, including her sophomore year when she won the 500 meters at the indoor meet, and added the 400 meter hurdle crown to her personal trophy case at the corresponding outdoor meet.
In one of her first competitive appearances as a Terrier, Knijn previewed her future championships by winning the 200 meters in a meet record 23.8 seconds at the Boston College Relays. She concluded her freshman season by winning a pair of titles at the Greater Boston Championships, adding the 200 meters at the New England Championship and claiming the 500 meters at the ECAC Championships.
During her senior year in 1989, Knijn received the Mildred Barnes Award as the University's Outstanding Female Athlete, after earning All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships, winning the 1500 meters at the ECAC Championships, and a pair of titles at the New England meet.
After redshirting the outdoor season as a senior, Knijn returned for a post-graduate year in 1990, and proceeded to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships, capture the heptathlon at the ECAC meet, and win a trio of titles at each the NAC and New England Championships. In recognition of her achievements, she received the Gretchen Schuyler Award as the University's Outstanding Female Student Athlete.
Knijn placed a final footnote on her stellar career at Boston University during commencement exercises, where she was awarded the Scarlet Key.
