Jenna McCaffrey will be taking on the trade of Lumberjack this fall.
************
Jenna McCaffrey's Best Marks:
800 Meters - 2:24.50
1600 Meters - 5:16.75 (at altitude)
3200 Meters - 11:24.81 (at altitude)
5K Cross Country - 18:40 (at altitude)
************
It's been a while since Colorado had a Northern Arizona University signing. Tell us what sealed the deal for you.
To be completely honest, if I would have asked myself at the beginning of the school year where I would be going to college, I would have never said Arizona. It wasn't until I was talking to one of my old cross country coaches about college, that I learned about NAU. I started looking into the team, and realized that it was a great program. A couple days before my visit, it snowed around three feet in Flagstaff, and so when I arrived the whole campus was covered in snow. It was fun to see that the weather in Flagstaff was almost nearly identical to the weather in Boulder. One of the key factors for me when looking at universities was if there was similar weather to where I grew up. Flagstaff also has a huge running community, and so I think that will also be super encouraging to be around as well! The coaches were all really looking forward to the future and are looking to build up their girls squad, and seeing how successful their boys program has become, I know that the girls program is going to be as or more successful as the boys in the upcoming years. NAU also has a really fun student environment, and so I'm excited for the social events there too!
What do you plan to study at NAU?
Mechanical engineering or physical therapy, with a minor in nutrition
Your high school experience has been one filled with some major accomplishments--both team and individual. What's one team and one individual experience that stand out above the others?
I think one of the biggest team accomplishments has been our three-peat state track and field championships. We all worked super hard all season to win state, and being able to do it was great. But, I think the best accomplishment team-wise will be coming in May at the state meet!
One individual experience that stands out to me above the others has to be getting 2nd in the 4 x 800 at state my junior year. I had an off year and our track program also had a really tough year, and so being able to pull off a huge unexpected race, was such a great way to end the season.
You had the privilege of running a couple of years with Elise Cranny, one of the top high school competitors Colorado has ever had. What's one important thing you learned from that?
Being able to run with Elise was such a great experience. She only came to a few practices and meets, but the time I got to spend with her was really beneficial. I think that having her on the team when I was a freshman was super beneficial to me because I was learning from one of the best athletes how to prepare and how to run a race. She also really helped teach me the "Niwot way" when running and cheering for teammates.
If things go the way you envision, what event or events will you be running in track in college?
Despite what my coaches may say, I would really like to try the steeplechase. But, to be more reasonable I see myself running the 3k, 5k, and 10k.
What's left to accomplish in your last month of high school sports?
Well, we have the state meet quickly approaching in May, and Niwot is bringing one of the best teams we've ever had for the girls. We are shooting for our 4th title and to bounce back from last year. I look forward to dropping my personal records in all of my events, and hopefully scoring some individual points for our team!
