Jill Crandall

By Shawna Carpentier
UWRF Sports Information

Three time All-American Jill Crandall will complete her career as a Falcon athlete in May, and she plans to leave nothing short of a winner.

“My main goal is to be the national champion in the heptathlon,” says Crandall whose goal involves breaking the national record.

Such ambitions require dedication, hard work and a good attitude, traits that Falcon Head Coach Martha Brennan uses to describe Crandall’s character. Athletes like Crandall, explains Brennan, “aren’t every where.”

In the coming weeks Crandall will be many places though. While balancing her roles as a student and athlete, Crandall’s efforts will require more than her presence on the track or field. “I will be training a lot,” shares Crandall, “I [will be] spending more time in the weight room.”
 
Crandall’s practices last three to four hours a day and are rotated between hurdles, hard running and field events six days of the week. However, practice is less work and more fun according to Crandall. “Running is fun,” replies Crandall, “running in any other sport is a punishment, but [in] track we do it because we love it.” 

Brennan explains the phenomenon, “How far [you can] push your body is usually farther than you thought.”

Crandall uses self-motivation to push herself while training. “How well you do is based on how hard you work,” says Crandall about the individual achievement that track & field promotes.

As a Falcon athlete, Crandall has attained many honors. Setting three individual records in the pentathlon (3,474), high jump (5-7) and heptathlon (4,894), Crandall also holds records as a member of the 4x800 (9:28.15), 4x400 (4:00.5) and the distance medley (12:31.14) relay teams.

Crandall’s list of records is only part of the multi competitor’s accomplishments. From a scholar-athlete nomination to multiple first place finishes, Crandall has earned more than most athletes.

Brennan credits Crandall’s leadership for some of the success and improvement the Falcons have experienced over the past few seasons. “Jill [provides] good leadership,” says Brennan, “she crosses a lot of events so it improves the overall cohesion of the team.”

Crandall’s decision to join the Falcons was a simple decision for her. Crandall desired to continue her career after her time competing as a Raider for Roseville High School. “I’ve always excelled at [track]; it’s easy to do something you’re good at,” says Crandall.

Along with Crandall’s decision came her advocacy for female athletics and enthusiasm for mentoring young track & field athletes. Crandall expresses that she promotes expanding the opportunities for others to compete in the sport.

Among Crandall’s efforts has been her participation as a volunteer high jump coach at River Falls High School and Falcon indoor mini camps.

“Coaching is about timing, knowing when you say something and when you don’t,” advises Brennan.

As a business major and Spanish minor Crandall hopes that in time she will get the opportunity to coach her own team. Finding a job that will allow her to coach is a top priority of the Falcon senior. Although her career path is not typical of coaches, Brennan feels that Crandall already knows what she needs to.

“Jill’s knows it all already,” says Brennan, “knowing what’s appropriate communication and when to motivate or not.”

Crandall’s whole life isn’t track though, she enjoys the time she gets to spend outdoors, watching movies and being with friends. “If I had the time I would live in Alaska and learn to live off the land,” shares Crandall, “it would be amazing.”

Taking what she has learned as an athlete and applying it to her future, Crandall wants marriage and children. “I definitely want a family,” she shares.

However, that is Crandall’s future and until then she is focused on what is now.

With weeks until the Falcon host the WIAC outdoor championships, Crandall will spend her days preparing for her last moments as a Falcon athlete, hoping nothing more than to make it to the NCAA Div. III Championships later in May.

Crandall is the daughter of Deb and Eugene and sister to Jeff, Jamie and Jenn.