Academy of Art University Athletics

What has been a magical 2012 season for senior Jenny Bergren will now continue into even more new territory for Academy of Art University. After placing 6th overall at NCAA Division II West Regionals in ART U's first post season apperance this past Saturday,  Bergren officially qualified for the NCAA National Championships to be held on November 17 at Missouri Southern's Cross Country Course in Joplin, MO. Bergren was also recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as an All-Region award winner for cross country in Division II. She was the lone All-Region honoree from the Pacific West Conference.

“Jenny had one of those days where she wasn't feeling 100 percent, but she ran an incredibly tough race,” assistant coach Torrey Olson said. “She was not where she wanted to be two thirds through the race, but she battled back into position and that was incredibly hard especially when you know your legs have had better days. I'm very proud of her and it was a really gutsy race. I cannot wait to see what she can do at Nationals.”

Breaking through a in a West Regional race that offered 170 of the best athletes from teams such as Chico State, Alaska Anchorage, and Humboldt State, Bergren's 6th place result was the second of the top three individuals not on a qualifying team and thus put her into the NCAA Championships pool. She turned in a time of 21:51.76 which edged Chico State's Sara Mikesell by two seconds and made her fifth overall among those finishing in their teams' first position.