Norway’s Grøvdal named women’s European Athletics Rising Star of the Year – European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS

Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal of Norway is the 2009 winner of the women's European Athletics Rising Star of the Year Award presented by MONDO.

The 19-year-old middle-distance runner had a stunning year on the track, defending her 3000m steeplechase title and adding the 5000m gold for a brilliant double at the European Athletics Junior Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, in July. Grøvdal also set two Norwegian junior records in 2009.

Grøvdal will be presented with her European Athletics Rising Star of the Year Award at the European Athletics Convention in Budapest on Saturday 17 October alongside the men’s Rising Star winner and the European Athlete of the Year winners.

The men's Rising Star winner will be announced Monday.

Fans, media and European Athletics Member Federations were invited to vote for the Rising Star of the Year on the European Athletics website. Along with the votes from a panel of experts, each group of voters' results count for one quarter of the athlete’s final score.

The shortlist of athletes for the award included stars from this year's European Athletics U23 Championships and European Athletics Junior Championships, as well as other athletes under the age of 23 who performed exceptionally well this year.

No athlete who has previously served a two-year doping ban can be nominated for the European Athletics Rising Star award.

Women's European Athletics Rising Star of the Year presented by MONDO final rankings:
1. Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal (NOR)
2. Antonina Krivoshapka (RUS)
3. Christina Vukicevic (NOR)
4. Ezinne Okparaebo (NOR) 5. Jodie Williams (GBR) 6. Stephanie Twell (GBR) 7. Sandra Perkovic (CRO) 8. Anisya Kirdyapkina (RUS) 9. Denise Hinrichs (GER) 10. Natalya Popkova (RUS) 11. Melanie Bauschke (GER) 12. Aiga Grabuste (LAT) 13. Liane Pintsaar (EST) 14. Yelena Kofanova (RUS) 15. Madara Palameika (LAT) 16. Lisa Ryjikh (GER) 17. Perri Shakes Drayton (GBR) 18. Ancuta Bobocel (ROU) 19. Natalya Mamlina (RUS)

Previous winners:
2008 Stephanie Twell (GBR)
2007 Jessica Ennis (GBR)

2009 season: Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal
1500m
4:15.12 PB (192) 2 Florø 6 Jun
5000m
15:29.82 NJR PB (61) 3 ETC-1 Bergen 21 Jun 15:45.45 1-19 EJ Novi Sad 26 Jul
10km
31:29 NJR PB (6) 1 Sentrumsløpet Oslo 3 May
3000m steeple
9:47.66 3 ETC-1 Bergen 20 Jun
9:33.34 SB (28) 4 Bislett Oslo 3 Jul 10:00.44 1h1-19 EJ Novi Sad 23 Jul 9:43.69 1-19 EJ Novi Sad 25 Jul 9:52.06 1 NC Lillehammer 1 Aug 9:48.47 10h3 WC Berlin 15 Aug

Personal bests: Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal
1500m
Outdoor 4:15.12 2 Florø 6 Jun 2009
3000m
Outdoor 9:09.85 1-19 NC-j Stavanger 8 Aug 2008
5000m
Outdoor 15:29.82 NJR 3 ETC-1 Bergen 21 Jun 2009
10 km
Outdoor 31:29 NJR 1 Sentrumsløpet Oslo 3 May 2009
2000m steeple
Outdoor 6:21.39 NR NJR 1-19 NC-j Stavanger 10 Aug 2008
3000m steeple
Outdoor 9:33.19 NR AJR 4 Euregio Neerpelt 2 Jun 2007

European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS