Petrolia’s Marissa Mueller has been given a top academic and leadership award at her US university.

Mueller, who earned a scholarship to University of Iowa for her javelin throwing, has been given the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion.

She is one of only two undergraduate UI students to receive a Hancher-Finkbine Medallion this year and is thought to be the first female student-athlete.

The medallion celebrates leadership, learning and loyalty at the university Mueller attends. The award is named for Will Finkbine, who started honouring student leadership in 1917 and Thomas Hancher – an alumni and former president of the university.

Mueller says she was shocked by the award saying she “didn’t think my name would even come up” in a discussion about a student who embodies the core values of the institution. “It’s really cool.”

Mueller first learned she was a candidate in December. She attended a faculty senate meeting. She was invited to speak about some of the services student athletes receive that help them graduate and how other students might benefit from them.

Out of the blue, one of her professors from the faculty of engineering, asked a strange question – could she simply explain the bio mechanics of throwing a javelin.

“I did not see that question coming,” she laughs. But, under the gold dome of the hall, Mueller demonstrated, talking her way through the answer. And she received a “very positive response” from the crowd.

Later, the professor pulled her aside and told her he wanted to see “how I would respond when I was kind of put on the spot.”

And then, he told Mueller she had been nominated by the faculty for the medallion. “I was shocked and honoured…this is typically an award given to seniors.”

Mueller submitted all the necessary paper work including her resume and a summary of her involvement in the school and community. A couple of weeks ago, officials called with the good news. The award winners were officially announced Wednesday.

Normally, there would be a large dinner and awards night for the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion and several other prestigious awards, however under COVID-19 restrictions, that wasn’t possible this year. But that is okay with Mueller.

“It is incredible to be honoured,” she says adding the honour is one of prestige not a scholarship. “The title in itself is more than I could have asked for; the honour of being named pays more than a cheque could.”

Mueller is back in Petrolia, finishing her junior year classes online and working out to stay in shape for the next track and field season.

She’s also working on her applications for medical school and studying for the MCATs – the test all students must take to qualify for medical school in the US.