MSOEs Lt. Chappell to compete at Indoor Track Nationals
| Published: 03/13/2008 |
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MSOE two-time All-American and recently commissioned Lieutenant Catherine Chappell USAF puts her wings to the test, competing in the long jump at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track National Championship, held at Ohio Northern University, March 14-15.
Chappell, a 5-8 senior, was recently named the Northern Athletic Conference women's Field Athlete of the Meet. Chappell won four events at the championship including the long jump, the high jump, shot put and 55 meter hurdles. She also finished second in the 55 meter dash and 200 meter dash. Her Distance of 5.52 Meters (18'1-1/2") placed her as a provisional qualifier for the national meet. Her distance ranks fifth among the athletes competing this weekend.
MSOE head coach Larry Gardner is amazed on how she continues to improve. "You just need to give her a goal," said Gardner. "Chaps (Chappell), can you do this? She stands there, smiles, and says, yes I can, coach."
Chappell completed her last quarter at MSOE and was recently commissioned by the United States Air Force with the rank of Second Lieutenant, in a ceremony held at Winter Commencement on Feb. 23. Although Chappell graduated with a degree in electrical engineering at commencement, she is permitted to finish out the season she started per NCAA rules.
The MSOE all-time leading scorer in basketball, Chappell was named a Kodak All- American honorable mention selection in women's basketball for the 2006-2007 season and placed fifth in the heptathlon in the 2007 NCAA outdoor championships to reach All-American status. Chappell is one of only seven MSOE students to be named All-American and one of two student-athletes in the institution's history to be named All-American in more than one sport or event.
