Cross Country Runner Qualified for National Competition

First-year cross country runner Jessica Connery qualified for the 2009 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Cross Country National Championships. To qualify, Connery had to finish as one of the top-five individuals not on the first-place finishing team at the conference meet. Connery placed third overall in the Heart of America Athletic Conference meet held November 7 at Stocksdale Park in Liberty, Mo. She advanced to the 2009 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Cross Country National Championships on November 21 at the Fort Vancouver Historical Site in Vancouver, Wash. This marks the first time in over eight years a William Jewell women’s cross country runner qualified for national competition. Jessica finished 159th out of 330 runners with a time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds.

“Jessica has had an outstanding year and has worked extremely hard,” said head coach Tom Eisenhauer. “I am very proud of her along with our whole team. This is not only a great honor for Jessica but for our program as well.”