Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
Athlete 1987 - 1990
Melanie Leckenby '90 was one of the strongest endurance athletes ever to compete for Linfield, excelling in distance events in women's cross country, track and field and swimming. She was the first Wildcat woman to earn All-America honors in cross country and also earned Academic All-America honors in cross country and track & field.
After coming to Linfield from La Grande, Ore., Leckenby qualified for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships all four years. She finished 23rd as a junior and 17th as a senior to earn All-America honors while also gaining Academic All-America honors both years. She won the 1987 NAIA District 2 championship as a sophomore, the first woman from Linfield to accomplish that feat, coming from behind in the final 100 yards for the victory.
Leckenby's coach, Rudy Pearson, noted, "Mel's hard work and dedication turned into remarkable improvement over the years. She was an animal on the cross country course, the tougher the course, the better. What was particularly satisfying for Mel was her ability to compete with, and frequently defeat, her former high school competitors who had finished ahead of her at the state meet."
In track and field, Leckenby qualified for the 1989 NAIA National Championships in the 5,000 meters as a junior and was one of three Wildcats to earn Academic All-America status that season. She also set the school record in the 10,000 meters (37:55.1) in 1989.
In swimming, Leckenby set school records in the 1,000 freestyle and 500 freestyle; she also competed in the 200, 500, 800 and 1,650 freestyles. She was part of a 400 freestyle relay team that qualified for the NAIA Nationals.
While putting together her outstanding athletic career, Leckenby managed to combine lengthy practices and on-her-own workouts with an afternoon-heavy class schedule as an art major. The Academic All-America honors en route to her bachelor's degree in that field attest to the discipline she displayed while at Linfield.
