Former Colby Community College stand-out athlete Tonya Nero, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, is training for a spot on her country’s 2012 Olympic Team to compete in the 10,000 meters or marathon. The 2009 graduate of CCC was a six-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American during her two years competing for the Trojans. She placed 3rd in the 2009 Outdoor 5,000 Meters, the Outdoor 10,000 Meters and the Indoor 5,000 Meters. In addition, she was 8th in the 2009 Outdoor 1,500 Meters, 7th in the 2009 Indoor 3,000 Meters and 4th at the 2008 Cross Country Nationals.

Nero continued her career at Wichita State University where she was a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 All-American in cross country and the indoor 5,000 Meters. She was selected as the Missouri Valley Conference Champion six times over two years and was named the Conference’s Woman Athlete of the Year for Cross Country.

"I will graduate from WSU in December," said Nero. "I majored in chemistry and plan to continue in graduate school with the goal of being accepted to medical school. I am training to compete for a spot on my country’s team for the Olympics to be held next August in London."

Nero was coached by CCC Head Coach Crystal Berndt from 2007-2009. Her sister Scarla and brother Sandino also ran cross country and track at CCC.