Jennifer Tavé ’12 never thought she’d break a 27-year-old Claremont-Mudd-Scripps record when she arrived at the 2011 Occidental Distance Carnival on March 11. But her 10K time of 35:22:22 – a personal best by 44 seconds – was not only one for the books, it leads the nation and automatically enters her in national competition at the end of May.
“I’m thrilled to know I have a chance at nationals,” she says.
Jennifer first got into running by going on “fun runs” with her father during junior high school. Enjoying that form of exercise, she joined the high school cross country team a few years later.
“My favorite part of track is being part of a team,” says Jennifer. “I love the atmosphere at meets—cheering on my teammates and having them cheer me on.
“You meet so many great athletes and coaches. I know it’s been a really good component to my college experience.”
A favorite of many college track and field long distance runners, the Occidental Distance Carnival is an annual meet that takes place at night. Races are 8,000 meters or longer and over twenty schools nationwide are represented.
For more information regarding CMS athletics, please visit their website at www.cmsathletics.org.