UW-Platteville's Jessica Scott led from start to finish while claiming the 800-meter run at the NCAA III Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Ohio Northern University Sportscenter.
“Oh my God I did this," Scott exclaimed in the press conference right after winning in a time of 2:11.84. "I can’t believe it. It’s been a long journey through the last few years. It’s unbelievable. I felt so strong and so relaxed. I feel I actually do better when I take the lead and get going."
Scott clocked a career-best 2:11.84, beating Union sophomore Allie Cuozzo , who finished runner-up in 2:13.60.
The junior from Kiel was part of last year's national champion Distance Medley Relay team and now has added an individual title.
"It makes me feel like I have to push myself more because people are behind me," Scott said. "My mom is always pushing me to do better. She passed away my freshman year of college. She’s always there helping me give my all no matter where I place. She and my dad are definitely my biggest forces helping me do well. I’ve been struggling the last few years and now I’m back to where I should be. This feels amazing.”
One of those supporters is fiance' Tyler Sigl, who anchored Friday's national champion DMR squad, then placed second in the 5,000-meter run Saturday. Sigl was nipped in a rare photo finish by UW-Oshkosh's Willy Kaul. Kaul won in 14:23.43 while Sigl was clocked in at 14:23.44. Kaul took an early lead in the final lap then just held off Sigl's impressive kick.
Sigl earned his 11th track and cross country all-American award with his second-place finish.
The Pioneer men finished third in the country, tying the school's best finish ever, with 21 points. UW-La Crosse won the national championship with 43 points, followed by Monmouth with 33 and UWP and UW-Oshkosh with 21.
The Pioneers scored 10 points in the DMR, eight points in the 5,000 and three in the pole vault, where Scott Howard was sixth.
Scott's championship accounted for 10 points and a 15th-place finish for the Pioneers. Illinois Wesleyan won the team crown with 30 points.
The Pioneer 4x400 relay team of Alison Ross, Liz Baker, Bobbi Arand and Scott placed 10th in 4:01.30.
UWP competed without injured Marcia Taddy, the Midwest Regional Athlete of the Year, who had the fastest time in the country in two events.
(Photos courtesy of Ohio Northern)
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