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October 27, 2006
MARSHALL CLOSING OUT ON STEADY PACE
Four-year letterwinner brings streak of 25 straight xc races into LEC meet
By Tristan Hobbes
Sports Information Staff
Four years ago, Jessie Marshall of Yantic began what would become a fruitful cross-country career. She began as a freshman and as her senior season winds down, she will leave behind a four-year career that has seen her become a consistent runner, as well as a leader.
The impetus for her to run cross country at Eastern – above and beyond her love of running -- came from head coach Frank Poulin. “I was talking to coach a little bit and then I just ran over the summer (prior to her freshman year), and decided I wanted to do it.”
Since choosing to don the Eastern colors, Marshall has achieved a remarkable feat in never having missed a cross-country meet in her entire four-year career. With the completion of the Rhode Island College meet October 14, she has run in 25 straight meets. She celebrated that milestone by winning her first race by topping a field of 11. Her nearest competitor was sophomore teammate Terry Frechette, who trailed by 50 seconds.
The fact that Marshall has never missed a race for any reason – injury, personal commitments, conflicts, or otherwise -- is something that Poulin sees as being very important. “She is committed and dedicated. The runners can’t afford to miss any meets. There are so few meets in the cross country season.” Marshall has her own take on it, “Because we have a small team this year, it’s pretty important to the team that we don’t miss meets or practices.”
This week, Marshall and the Warriors have been gearing up for the Little East Conference Championship meet, scheduled for Saturday at Keene State College. The race is the final regular-season one of the year, preceding the NCAA Division III New England regionals Nov. 11 at Springfield, MA.
Marshall hopes to continue her improvement in the conference meet. Last year, she was Eastern’s second finisher, placing 21st overall in a field of 39. As a sophomore, she placed 33rd overall in a field of 43, and as a freshman, 39th among 44 finishers.
NOTE: At this year's Little East race, Marshall again led the Warriors at the finsh, placing a career-best 14th overall in a field of 48.
At the completion of the season, Marshall will become Poulin’s four-year letterwinner. She will be the first female to letter in the program since Nicole Pirrello in 2000.
These past four years have seen Marshall’s results improve. “I’m glad I stayed with it. I’m improving and I wish I had more time because I feel like I could get even better.”
You only have to look at the race results this year to see that Marshall has come a long way. She had led Eastern runners in every meet this season, capped by her first individual title against Rhode Island College. “It was pretty exciting and I wasn’t really expecting it. I thought Rhode Island College might have a girl that was pretty good. It’s a new experience for me, but it’s cool.”
Jessie’s role is not limited to being the top runner. By being the only four-year runner on the team, she has become the team’s leader. “I’m usually not the leader type but I just try to motivate the other girls.”
In addition to cross country, Jessie also runs indoor and outdoor track. She competes in the 800 and 1000 as well as on the 4x400 and 4x800 relays during the indoor season. Last year, she set personal bests of 2:33.43 and 3:26.67 in the 800 and 1000, respectively. Outdoors, Marshall runs the 800 and 1500 along with the 4x800 and 4x1500 relays. She has garnered all conference and all alliance accolades during both seasons and is part of the school record setting 4x1500 relay team.
Academically, this three-sport approach does not allow many breaks but Jessie find that being a student/athlete makes thing easier. “It gives me more of a set schedule. It makes it easier to get things done and it gets you more involved in things.” A graphic design major with a 3.11 GPA, Marshall has also worked in the Office of the President for four years.
For Marshall, tagging along with sports participation are the friendships that she has made. “It’s rewarding because most of my friends at Eastern are on the team. We hang out in and out of track and cross country.”
Over four years Jessie has grown not only into a lead runner but a great student and teammate.
