MCC News
Mon, Feb 22, 2010 - [Women's Indoor Track & Field] - Viewed 565 times - Post By Jerry Hanson
By Kylee D. Miller
Clarke College Sports Information Intern
Strong powerful legs propel Clarke College junior Jessica Nessan forward. She lands two feet solid in the sand, setting a new school record in the triple jump. The effort punched one of three tickets for Nessan at next month's NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships at Johnson City, Tenn., where the Dubuque native will compete in the 55 meter hurdles, the triple jump and the long jump.
Ironically, Jessica was made fun of for her powerful legs when she was growing up.
"My little sister said they looked like loaves of bread," Jessica said as she shrugged. "But hey, I'm a runner. I have legs."
Jessica has a calm attitude about running, despite the fact that she competes against very talented runners in the 50-meter hurdles and the triple jump.
"Running is a mental sport," she said. "I do the same thing before every meet to prepare."
One tradition Jessica has before meets is looking good for every race.
"I probably spend more time getting ready in the morning for a meet then do getting ready for school," said Nessan.
"When I run, I want to win in every aspect, including looking good. It helps add to my confidence and I run better."
Nessan would seem to be at a disadvantage to runners from other states when it comes to the triple jump, but she just has a natural talent for it.
"I don't think the fact that Iowa doesn't have the triple jump in high school slows her down much," said track coach Adam Hinders.
Jessica saw a triple jumper at a meet in Sterling, Ill., and her coach asked if she wanted to try. She's been jumping ever since.
Nessan'stalents and abilities should help the small Clarke track and field team as they head into nationals and the outdoor season.
"Outdoor is twice as long as indoor," Jessica laughed. "Instead of running the 50-meter hurdles, I run the 100-meter which is much longer. But I look forward to it."
Nessan ran a semester for Clarke as a freshman then ran fro Wartburg College for one year before transferring back to Clarke.
"The two teams are very different," said Jessica. "The Wartburg program had 40 people and was huge. People could get hurt and it wouldn't matter because someone just as good could replace them."
With 19 people on the women's team, Clarke does not have that same ability. "But here the atmosphere Coach Hinders creates is way different. He's the reason Clarke has gotten so much better in the last three years."
Returning to Clarke keeps Jessica closer to home.
"My family loves it," she said. "My parents are really big sports fans. But I couldn't just move back home. I'd lived on my own and like it so now I just live off campus. Its nice."
A large number of meets Clarke attends are at the University of Dubuque or the University of Wisconsin- Platteville so spectators have the ability to go watch on multiple occasions.
Coach Hinders is enthused about Jessica's rejoining the Crusaders and is optimistic about her future.
"Jessica and I have a couple of goals," said Coach Hinders. "We want her to qualify for nationals, improve times and distances on her long jump, and to win the 100 meter hurdles and triple jump at outdoor conference."
One of these goals was met on February 7. Jessica qualified for two different events for the NAIA Indoor Championships. Her skill and her strong legs will keep propelling her to the winner's circle this spring.
"Jessica has brought some fun to the team," said Coach Hinders. "She is a valuable teammate and she helps make everyone a better athlete."
-CRUSADERS-
