Posted November 22, 2008
UW-Platteville's Jessica Scott saved her best for last.
The senior from Kiel ran a personal-best 21:25 to place 12th at the NCAA Division III national championships Saturday in Hanover, Ind. Scott earned all-American honors with the second-highest finish ever for a Pioneer at the national championships.
"Jess ran real well," Pioneer Coach Tom Antczak said. "She got out fast and ran well the whole race."
Bethel's Marie Borner won the national championship in 20:44, while Middlebury took the team title for the fifth time. Cortland State won its first-ever men's title, and Hamilton's Peter Kosgei captured the men's individual crown with a course-record-setting time of 24:22.
Scott, who qualified as an individual, surged up three spots over the final 1,000 meters to grab 12th place. She beat her previous best time by 13 seconds.
"I didn't know I PR'd until after the race," Scott said. "I went out relaxed and fast and tried to run with the front group."
She joins Jackie Mulrooney (28th in 2003 and 9th in 2004) and Marcia Taddy (17th in 2004 and 13th in 2006) as the only Pioneer females to earn cross country all-American honors.
"I was hoping for a top 15, so I met my goal," Scott said. "I'm happy with 12th. It was a good note to end on."
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