BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Vera Sjöberg of the Boston University women's track & field and cross country program has been selected as a Patriot League nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
Both Sjöberg and Holy Cross' Haley Murphy were presented by the Patriot League to be among the Division I nominees on the ballot for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, a program established in 1991. The nominees were selected based on four pillars: academics, athletics, service and leadership. Sjöberg and Murphy were chosen through a vote by the Patriot League's Senior Woman Administrators (SWA).
Next, the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will choose the top 30 honorees – 10 from each division. The top 30 honorees will be recognized, and the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at the 2026 NCAA Convention in January.
Sjöberg concluded her career at Boston University as one of the most decorated student-athletes in Patriot League history. The Stockholm, Sweden, native was the Patriot League's 2024-25 Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year, after winning the sport-specific honors for cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. She graduated in three years with a cumulative GPA of 3.97 with her bachelor's degree in English.
On the course and track, Sjöberg shined throughout her career, particularly during the 2024-25 academic year. She won the Patriot League Women's Cross Country individual title to capture Runner of the Meet honors before going on to finish 42nd at the NCAA Cross Country Championship, the highest placement for a League runner. She won the one-mile, 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter events at the Patriot League Indoor Track and Field Championship, setting the meet records in the mile (4:40.14) and 5,000m (16:21.28). She finished eighth at the NCAA Championship to earn All-America honors in the indoor mile. She was also one of two athletes to qualify for the 1,500m and 5,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championship, after winning both races in meet record times at the League championship to claim Patriot League Outdoor Track Athlete of the Meet honors.
Vera Sjöberg's Personal Statement
"As a track and field and cross-country athlete, I've been fortunate to compete at the highest level, representing Boston University at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2024 and the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2025, where I finished as an All-American in the mile. At the Patriot League Championships, I have consistently competed in two or three events to bring valuable points to the team and help us achieve our goals. I also represented Sweden at the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, competing in the 1500 and gaining experience at the highest international level.
I had a difficult time as a freshman moving from Sweden to the U.S. and not competing in my first semester, so these moments have been the culmination of years of dedication and hard work, together with my teammates and coaches. As a team captain, I've helped lead with empathy, building a team culture rooted in trust and support where every athlete feels valued and supported. I have always strived to set a good example that will contribute to the team's future culture and development. The team has taught me so much about what it means to be a good teammate, take responsibility, and create a caring environment.
Academically, I have pursued a degree in English and a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. My English studies have taught me the importance of literature and storytelling, as well as the value of expressing myself and voicing structural and existential issues. As an international student from Sweden, I've faced challenges with English as my second language and coming from a different culture, which has made me realize the importance of creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and appreciated, regardless of their background and identity.
Balancing elite athletics, academic rigor, and leadership has been challenging, but it has helped me strengthen my resolve to compete on the international stage, inspire women in sports, and use the written word to describe the world and promote change."
