Running Home | Weather Forecast | What is Redwood Empire
Track All-Time | Cross Country All-Time
Schedule | Archives | Links
Steeplechase Record
By
Jim Crowhurst
In my last post I told how I found that Trina Cox had, unknown to
me, run the fastest Steeplechase ever by a Redwood Empire athlete.
I also mentioned how it might not last long because of Jacqui Wentz's
amazing progression in the event this year.
Jacqui Wentz in high school.
Here is that story.
As a reminder Wentz graduated from Maria Carrillo in 2006.
She was the 2005 Redwood Empire Cross Country runner of the year.
And was a first team All-Empire runner in track. She was the leadoff runner
for the 1600m Relay team that still holds the Empire record at 3:54.82
Well there's two ways to look at it now, either that Trina's reign lasted
four years or a few days. At least as far as anyone knew about it.
Turns out Jacqui ran 10:04.76 on June 11th at the Portland Track Festival.
At least Trina got a bit more than 15 minutes of fame.
Jacqui Wentz has just finished a great college career at MIT.
Her Empire Steeple record came at the Portland meet which qualified her
USATF Nationals.
It is also the fastest time ever for an NCAA D3 runner.
You may recognize another name on that list in the last event. That of
Deanne Malvino. Deanne won the 1983 NCAA D3 Championships in a then record
4955 points in the Heptathlon for Sonoma State. Deanne's maiden name while
staring at Montgomery was Neff.
Anyway in between those two meets Wentz won the NCAA D3 National title in 10:16.16.
Wentz then placed 8th in the USATF Nationals in 10:12.46, just a few seconds behind
the reigning Division I national champion, Bridget Franek of Penn State.
Wentz's other bests
1,500m 4:25.43 at MIT Last Chance Qualifier 5/21/10
Mile 4:59.87i at MIT vs. Coast Guard/Williams 2/6/10
5,000m 17:05.20i at Boston University Terrier Invitational 1/23/09
Her season recapped by MIT's newspaper.