Nov. 17, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rita Jorgensen, a sophomore from Memphis, Tenn., received recognition on the 2008 Division I South Region Women’s USTFCCCA All-Region Team after her performance at the NCAA Regional Championship (6k) on Nov. 15.
“This is a very nice honor for Rita,” Steve Keith, VU head coach, said. “We wanted to run aggressively and try to qualify for Nationals, so while we barely missed, it’s nice to get this recognition.”
Jorgensen posted a top-20 mark among 150-plus runners, crossing the timeline first for the Commodores at the Regional meet in Maryville, Tenn., last weekend. Her personal best effort garnered a No. 14 overall finish at 21:24.32, over 1:20 faster than her 2007 Regional post.
The Commodore women qualified seventh (200) in a field of 23 schools in the South Regional. Keith’s squad trimmed 95 points off their 2007 score (295), placing four spots higher than last season, and just missing their goal of sixth place by two points.
“The women finishing in seventh and just two points out of sixth was what we were looking for at this Regional,” Keith noted. “With freshmen and sophomores leading the way we can really build off of this performance.”
The sophomore from Memphis qualified first for Vanderbilt in every race this season, winning the Belmont/VU Opener (4k) and Commodore Classic (5k) with a fourth-place finish at the Greater Louisville Classic (5k). Jorgensen also placed in the top-40 at the Pre-Nationals race (6k) in Terre Haute, Ind., and top-20 at the SEC Championship (6k) on Nov. 3.
“We are miles ahead of where we were last year, and these honors are a tribute to Rita’s hard work and competitiveness,” remarked Keith. “Now its time to take a little break and recharge for the indoor season.”
Sara Vaughn and Kelsey Johnson of Alabama, Hollie Knight (Auburn), Genevieve LaCaze, Jacy Kruzel, Ali Crabb and Browning Charlotte of Florida, Janel Blancett and Kiah Vernon of Georgia, and Sarah Bowman, Jackie Areson and Brittany Sheffey of Tennessee joined Jorgensen on the USTFCCA’s All-Region team.
