2 Northeastern Junior College students receive Andi Whitlock Heart Award

STERLING — Winners of the Andi Whitlock Heart Award this year are Nicole Burns and Lynae Cox.

The Andi Whitlock Heart Award, voted on by the coaches and the players, is given to a Plainswomen basketball player each year whom her peers believe defines “heart.”

This award honors the memory of a young woman named Andi Whitlock, who played at NJC from 2001-2003. Andi was part of a team that won the Region IX title and made a trip to the National Tournament. Her life was cut short when she died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in 2004.

Following her death, a fellow student, John Wilson of Fort Collins, who played baseball at NJC, purchased the beautiful wood plaque which is on permanent display and bears the names of each year’s winner.