After graduating from high school , Huber attended Villanova University where she continued her running career . Huber struggled at first due to the intensity of the training program . At the time , Villanova coach Marty Stern thought that Huber " was a wimp " and hoped " she 'd leave and go home . " Although she won the 1986 Big East Conference championship in the 3000 meters , she did not qualify for the NCAA track and field championships . In the fall of 1986 , Huber finished 29th at the NCAA cross country championships . Huber had a breakthrough during the 1987 indoor and outdoor track seasons , winning her first NCAA championships . She won the NCAA indoor championship in the 3000 meters . Huber entered the NCAA outdoor championships as the favorite to win the 3000 meters , and she did just that , winning in a meet record time of 8:54.41 . That fall , she finished 9th at the NCAA cross country championships
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Vicki Huber