Heckert Named OVC Cross Country Athlete of the Week

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9/14/2006 5:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country

Kristen Heckert ran a great race last Saturday in Clarksville at the Screaming Eagle Memorial Classic. Heckert won he 5K cross country race with a time of 19:22, her margin of victory was 16 seconds. Heckert was rewarded this week and named the Ohio Valley Conference Female Cross Country Athlete of the Week.

Heckert, a sophomore from Sugar Creek, Illinois hasn't surprised her coach Dereck Chavis who saw this coming.

"Comparing her level of achievement from this year and to last year, Kristen has made some significant strides," Chavis said. "That's because she put in the work on the off season and it's beginning to show."

Heckert is a versatile student-athete for the Racers, she ran hurdles in high school and will compete for MSU in just about any distance from 800 meters up to the 3000 meter steeple chase.

"When I saw her in high school I knew she could excel here at Murray State," Chavis added.

Heckert's effort at the Clarksville event was her first collegiate championship.