University of Rochester junior Nora Chen was named the recipient of UR's 2026 Sylvia Fabricant Award, as announced at the University of Rochester Department of Athletics and Recreation Awards Banquet on Monday, May 4.
 
Chen has already has had a distinguished career, both inside and outside of her sport, despite just being a junior. She is a three-year letterwinner in both indoor and outdoor track and field and is already a 9-time All-American, including six First Team honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
 
She also is a 9-time Liberty League champion and has won two All-Atlantic Region titles. Chen's crowning achievement athletically in her Rochester career so far has been being a Division III National Champion as part of URochester's 4x400 meter relay indoors in the 2023-24 season.
 
In the classroom, Chen has been named a Provost Circle Scholar and has earned national, district and conference All-Academic honors. She is a team captain this year in track and field and has been a member of VSAAC at URochester while also being a UR Writing Fellow and Schwartz Discovery Grant recipient.
 
These awards also include the coach submitting a letter of recommendation, with the below excerpt coming from that letter, written by head coach Sam Albert:
"Nora has shown to be a kind and loyal friend and teammate. She cares deeply for the people in her life, and is consistently checking on teammates to ensure that they feel welcome and supported at the University. For someone with so many individual accolades, her mindset is still to always put the needs of her teammates and friends first. She always competes with class and demonstrates great respect for fellow competitors and officials, and is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for the University of Rochester and our program."
 
Established in 1976, the Sylvia Fabricant Award is presented annually to a female athlete for outstanding sportsmanship in the women's intercollegiate sports program.
 
Sylvia Fabricant served as the Coordinator of Women's Intercollegiate Sports from 1944-1976. She established teams in seven sports. She was inducted into the Athletics & Recreation Hall of Fame on September 25, 1992.