Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Team USA Minnesota Adds Jamie Cheever

Jamie Cheever, the former Minneapolis Southwest and University of Minnesota star, is Team USA Minnesota's newest member.

The elite long distance training center announced the addition of the three-time All-American yesterday.

Cheever earned All-American distinction three times as a Gopher: she was a member of the school's 3rd-place NCAA DMR in 2006, finished 33rd at the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships, and was 11th in the NCAA 3000m steeplechase in 2008.

Cheever, who played soccer for the Gophers her freshman year, also held the second fastest times at Minnesota in the 800-meters (indoor and outdoor), steeplechase, and 6K cross country. Cheever ran track her freshman year and became a full-time runner in both cross country and track her sophomore year. Cheever graduated from the U of M in December 2009 with a double major in sociology and family social services.

Cheever kicked off her professional career over the weekend, winning the mile in 4:47.87 at the Minnesota Open. She will compete next at the Jack Johnson Classic meet at the U of M on Saturday, where she will run the 3000 meters.

Cheever is preparing to compete at the USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Feb. 5.

MEADP Supports Three Team USA Athletes ... Three Team USA Minnesota athletes -- Meghan Armstrong, Chris Rombough and Emily Brown -- have earned grants from the Minnesota Elite Athlete Development Program for 2011.

The awards were announced last weekend at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Distance Running Association. Armstrong and Rombough each received a grant of $1000, and Brown was awarded $750.

The Minnesota Elite Athlete Development Program provides financial assistance to elite Minnesota distance runners who have completed their collegiate running careers. It is funded by contributions from Grandma's Marathon, Twin Cities In Motion, and the Minnesota Distance Running Association.

Photo courtesy of Team USA Minnesota.

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