Bio

A three-time NCAA Championship participant in cross country, Jennifer Kegel '88 helped the Blue qualify for the national meet in 1985 and 1986 and was an individual qualifier and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American in 1987. Kegel helped the cross country program to win the New England Championship in 1985 and continued on to earn USTFCCCA All-Region and All-Conference honors from 1985-1987. In addition to her cross country success, her prowess on the track still stands as motivation for Wellesley's current student-athletes, as her times in the outdoor 3000m (10.16.6) and 5000m (16:49.5) still stand as Wellesley program records.

When I began my studies at Wellesley in 1984, there was no cross country or track team. I joined the tennis team to get involved, but my passion was running. My first year, a group of students and I approached the athletics department about establishing a cross country team. In the fall of 1985, Wellesley Cross Country was born!

Wellesley’s first cross country team was coached by Jane Welzel. The team made it to Nationals in Atlanta that first year; I was Wellesley’s top finisher with a 27th place finish. The fall of 1986 brought a new coach, Laura Brewer. We made it to Nationals again, and traveled to Fredonia, N.Y. While the team didn’t produce any remarkable finishes, the mud and snow made for an exciting event. My senior year, fall of 1987, coach John Babington arrived. John came to Wellesley with vast coaching experience, having coached the Liberty Athletic Club and many well-known runners.

John was very committed to Wellesley Cross Country and remained the coach for 26 years. In his first year at Wellesley, three individuals (myself, Paula Andres, and Cathy Christiansen) qualified for Nationals in Holland, Mich. I placed 17th overall, earning All-American honors. I finished my running career at Wellesley representing the College at the Penn Relays, running a 5K in 16:49.

This recognition is particularly special for me. I am most grateful for the opportunity to have been a founder of Wellesley running. I have many fond memories of running at Wellesley: running the lake, running the golf course and the aqueduct, pond road, hill sprints, and running barefoot striders on the soccer field. I hope that Wellesley Cross Country and Track and Field are successful for many years to come.