Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

JCCC women’s cross country team second at nationals

OVERLAND PARK, KS --  The Johnson County Community College women’s cross country team ran to a second-place finish at the 2006 NJCAA Cross Country Championships, Nov. 4, in El Paso, Texas. The team’s runner-up finish was the highest in team history at the Division I level.  Their previous best D-I finish was third in 1995.  The women’s team won a national title in 2000, and posted two runner-up finishes at the D-II level.

“This was one of the most exciting meets I’ve coached,” said JCCC head coach Mike Bloemker.  “I have coached a lot of teams but never have I coached a group of women with so much heart and determination.”

Leading the Lady Cavaliers was Christa Heideman, a freshman from Wamego, Kan.   Heideman finished the 5k course in eighth-place with at time 19:09, which earned her NJCAA and Coaches All-American honors.

Her effort ranks as the eighth-best time by a JCCC runner in a national championship, and her finish ranks tied for ninth all-time, but fourth in a D-I competition.  

Sophomore Jackie Jamison of Quinter, Kan., capped her cross country career at JCCC with a 24th-place effort, crossing in 19:59.  Her finish earned her a Coaches All-American honor.  Her 24th-place finish ties the 16th-best finish by a JCCC runner in a D-I competition.

Freshman Kay Thomason, a local product from Blue Valley Northwest High School, also had a key performance, finishing 27th overall with a time of 20:03.  

Rounding out JCCC’s competitors were  sophomore Felicia Fleming (38th-20:17), Sarah DuPree (62nd-20:50) and Jessie Davis (149th-23:12).

“Our ladies had a tremendous day,”  said head coach Mike Bloemker. “Everyone put out an unbelievable effort.  Sarah, Felicia and Kay really came through the last 800-meters of the race.  I think between the three of them they passed 30 or more runners in that last 800.  Sarah was the savior of the day because she ran down Cowley’s  and Central Arizona’s four and five runners.  Christa and Jackie held their spots up front to keep the team score.  Christa ran the best race I’ve had from a No. 1 runner.  She was passing runners the entire time, and ran perfect splits.”

Christa Heideman