EDISON, NJ - Rider University graduate track & field student-athlete Teagan Schein-Becker (Trappe, PA/Perkiomen Valley) has been selected MAAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year, the league office today announced. Schein-Becker becomes just the second Rider female student-athlete to earn the award and the third MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year from Rider overall, joining Stella Johnson and Justin Carey, who swept the awards for the Broncs in 2019-20.

Schein-Becker became a Second Team All-American in 1500 meters, finishing 11th in the NCAA finals. She went on to compete in both the 800 and 1500 meters at U.S. Olympic Trials in June. She repeatedly broke her own program records in both the 800 and 1500 during the season. Schein-Becker won the 1500 meters at the prestigious Penn Relays and was selected MAAC Track Most Outstanding Performer after winning both the 800 and 1500 meters individually at MAAC Championships, while also helping the 4x800 team to a gold medal.

"This is a very prestigious and well-deserved honor for Teagan," said Rider Athletic Director Don Harnum. "She is a shining example of patience and hard work paying off. Over the course of her decorated career, she has always represented herself, the Cross Country and Track & Field program, the athletic department, and the university in such a positive manner."

Schein-Becker won the 800 meters at the Virginia Challenge and Bison Outdoor Classic. A nine-time gold medalist in outdoor track & field and three-time gold medalist in indoor at MAAC Championships in her career, she was the 2023 ECAC Champion 800 meters and DMR and 2022 ECAC Champion in the mile. A three-time NCAA East Preliminary Outdoor Championship qualifier, she also earned All-East in cross country in 2021, while earning the honor both indoor (DMR) and outdoor (4x800) in 2019. She twice earned MAAC All-Academic Team honors in cross country (2021, 2022).

"Teagan had an incredible season, culminating at the Olympic Trials," said Rider Director of Cross Country, Track & Field Bob Hamer. "She has raised the bar really high and showed that you can compete at the highest levels of this sport at Rider. She is also an outstanding person and teammate who will have a lasting impact on those who have had the pleasure of being around her on a regular basis. This is a very deserving honor for Teagan."

To be eligible for the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at a full-time MAAC member institution, compete in a sport sponsored by the MAAC, and completed one full academic year at the institution. The student-athlete must also have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale and be a significant starter or reserve for his/her team(s).

"I want to congratulate the 2023-24 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year, Michael and Teagan," said MAAC Commissioner, Travis Tellitocci. "These two outstanding student-athletes exemplified the MAAC mantra of excellence in academics and athletics during their time on campus and have left an indelible mark on the conference. We're proud of their outstanding achievements and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors!"