A nationally acclaimed runner, Cheryl Goddard took the swiftest route the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame. At age 25, she is our youngest inductee to date.

Born in New Hartford on December 26th, 1970, Goddard participated in softball, basketball and softball at New Hartford Junior High School between 1981 and 1985. In 1985, she moved to Saratoga Springs and graduated in 1989 from Saratoga Springs High School. Her accomplishments there earned her a full, four-year athletic scholarship to Villanova University in Villanova, PA.

Goddard began specializing in track and cross-country in college, a route which led to the highest levels of NCAA competition. She is an II-time NCAA All-American, and helped the Villanova Wildcats win four consecutive NCAA cross-country team championships from 1989 to 1992.

She was a three-time runner-up in the NCAA Track and Field Championships, in the 3,OOO-meter run and mile run, 1991 to 1993.

In 1992, she competed in the USA Olympic Trials in the 3,OOO-meter run. She was captain of both the cross country and track teams in the 1992-93 season. She was honored as the outstanding female athlete of 1993 at the Penn Relays. Goddard was named a Big East Academic All-Star in her last two years at Villanova, 1992 and 1993.

She graduated from Villanova in 1993 with a degree in communications. She is employed by AT&T and assists the Georgetown University track team. She is training with Reebok Enclave Track Team of Washington, D.C., for the 1996 Olympics, hoping to qualify in the 5,OOO-meter run and 1,500-meter run.