Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Heather Beresford was a well-accomplished runner during her time at the Colorado School of Mines. Earning more all-America honors than any other female student-athlete in Colorado School of Mines history when she graduated, Beresford stood atop the podium at the national level an astounding nine times throughout her cross country and track and field careers with the Orediggers.
 
She not only accomplished unprecedented feats but also led her Colorado School of Mines teams to never-before-seen levels, beginning with the Mines cross country team’s first-ever appearance at the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship in 2002. She then led the Orediggers back to the national stage in 2005 when she powered her squad to a fifth-place finish at the national championship, the highest team finish in program history at that point. Individually, she closed her Mines cross country career as a two-time All-American and was the first female in program history to accomplish the feat.
 
Seven more All-America honors would follow Beresford on the track, including national runner-up performances in the indoor mile and the distance medley relay events. She also claimed a third-place finish in the outdoor 1500-meter race.
 
The accomplishments on the track and course were great in Beresford’s competition days, but they continue to hold weight as her name remains littered across the Orediggers’ record book. She continues to hold program records for the indoor mile (4:47.69) and the outdoor 1500m (4:26.93) as well as several top-10 performances in various other events. Beresford’s record in the indoor mile stands tall for a program that boasts five All-Americans in the event since Beresford’s graduation.
 
In addition to her records that remain, Beresford achieved records in the indoor and outdoor 800m and 5000m distances prior to her graduation. Those marks have since fallen but paved the way for Mines runners that continue to achieve unprecedented heights.