Melissa Fuerst

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Class: Junior Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo. High School: Blue Springs

Height: 5-2

SOPHOMORE (2010): Competed in six meets, including the conference and regional championships...finished 24th at the Mountain West Conference Championships with a time of 23:03 (7200 elevation)...posted a season-best 6K time of 22:18 at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships (67th)...that was the third-fastest 6K time on the team in 2010...also ran 6K times of 23:07 (22nd, Woody Greeno Invitational), 22:38 (130th, Wisconsin adidas Invitational) and 22:44 (202nd, Pre-Nationals Meet)...opened the season with a 22nd-place time of 16:22 at the 4K Rust Buster Invitational.

FRESHMAN (2009): Competed in five meets, including the Mountain West Conference Championships...placed 51st at the conference meet with a time of 24:12...picked up a season-best 10th-place finish at the Fort Hays Tiger Invitational with a season-best time of 18:41 (5K)...placed 25th at the Colorado State Classic with a 5K time of 20:28...ran the Rocky Mountain Shootout in 24:44 to place 80th...participated in the "open" race of the Rust Buster Invitational, clocking a time of 16:17.

HIGH SCHOOL: Blue Springs High School...all-conference selection in cross country and track...three-time competitor at the Missouri state cross country championships...all-district honoree in track...competed on the 4x800-meter relay team that competed at the state championship meet...ranked eighth in graduating class...named to the Principal's Honor Roll...member of the National Honor Society...served as NHS vice-president.

PERSONAL: Full name is Melissa Lee Fuerst...nickname is Mel...daughter of Leland and Alice Fuerst...has one older sister, Christina...majoring in systems engineering management...future plans include becoming an officer in the Air Force...served as A-1 Element Leader...has also served as B-2 Element NCO...named to the Superintendent's List for excellence in military, academic and athletic performance...enjoys sewing and reading...spent the summer completing Operation Air Force at Nellis AFB, Nev....member of Cadet Squadron 29.