GENEVA, Ohio-Brainerd High School graduate Jenna Degen got off to a solid start in the heptathlon May 22. She had two marks in the top 10 in school history and finished tied for seventh after four events.
A day later, she one-upped herself.
Degen set personal bests in long jump and javelin, improved the school heptathlon record and finished third in the heptathlon on the second day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships.
The All-American honor marks the second of her career after she took fourth in the pentathlon at the 2017 indoor championships. The third-place finish is the best for any College of Saint Benedict track and field athlete since the 400-meter relay team took third at the 2007 outdoor championships. It's the best individual finish for the team since Caroline Boatz finished third in the pole vault at the 2001 indoor championships.
Degen finished third with 4,729 points. Junior teammate Megan Sundstrom finished 15th with 4,406 points, just 16 points shy of her personal best.
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The duo started the day with personal bests in long jump. On her second attempt, Sundstrom recorded a mark of 5.41 meters-an 18-centimeter personal best and the fourth-best mark in school history.
Five jumpers later, Degen jumped 5.50 meters-a 19-centimeter personal best and the second-best mark in school history. Degen ended up winning the event with Sundstrom second.
Degen recorded another personal best in javelin with a toss of 34.60 meters-the eighth-best mark in CSB history. She took ninth in the event.
In the seventh and final event of the heptathlon, Degen took 10th in 2:27.21-a personal best-to finish third in the nation.
