Becca Jordahl

By Jake Grovum
UWRF Sports Information

Falcon Becca Jordahl earned herself a spot on a prestigious list this cross country season.

She is only the second woman in UW-River Falls history to qualify for the NCAA cross country championship. However, Jordahl went beyond just qualifying for the meet, she finished 19th in the nation, good enough to earn All-American honors.

Jordahl also earned All-WIAC and NCAA All-Midwest Region honors on her way to the NCAA meet. While being named All-American is quite the honor Jordahl still seems surprised by her performance. "It's still quite a shock, but it feels great. It's nothing I would have ever expected," Jordahl said.

She ran the 6,000-meter course in 23:36 on Nov. 18 in Wilmington, Ohio. Only one other WIAC runner was faster than Jordahl in the meet - Platteviille's Marcia Taddy finished one second ahead her. Jordahl was the team's top finisher at the NCAA Midwest Regional held on Nov. 11 in Rock Island, Ill. She placed 12th overall in 22:01. At the WIAC meet held Oct. 28 in La Crosse, she was the team's top runner finishing third overall in 22:11.

While this season was Jordahl's first running on a cross country team Falcon Head Coach Don Glover saw Jordahl's potential early. "She quickly made us believe she had a chance to make it," Glover said.

Over the summer Jordahl was unsure whether or not she wanted to join the Falcon cross country team. "I was really nervous because I didn't know anyone or have any idea what to expect since it was my first cross country team experience," Jordahl explained.

However, she soon decided to join the team at camp over the summer and has not regretted anything since. "I'm so glad I did, otherwise I would not be where I am today. Now I am looking forward to camp this summer," Jordahl said.

Glover also mentioned Jordahl's initial hesitation and is very pleased with the athlete Jordahl has become. "At the very last minute she decided to go to camp and the rest is history. It goes to show, you conquer your fears and good things can come," Glover explained.

Despite Jordahl's lack of cross country experience prior to this season she has always been an athlete at heart. "I was really active in just about everything. I danced and did cheerleading, was on swim team, played tennis, flag football, softball, basketball and soccer," Jordahl said listing activities she was involved in when she was younger. While she was initially involved in many sports Jordahl eventually found her calling in soccer. "In high school I played basketball for a few years, but soccer was my main focus, I played pretty much year-round," she explained.

While being named All-American may be the most prestigious honor Jordahl has received it was not her first. "My junior year in high school I was the Idaho State Journal Soccer Player of the Year, and that was huge for me back then," Jordahl said.  

Leading up to her first season with the Falcons Jordahl admits she didn't know much about a cross country training. " I just ran a lot, probably at least 50 miles a week," she explained. While Jordahl clearly possessed the athleticism to be a quality cross country runner she admits once the season started her coaches played a big role in her development. "I just listened and did what my coaches told me. Long runs, intervals, tempo runs, recovery, a little bit of everything," she explained.  

Jordahl earned All-American honors this year but complacency is not something she expects to develop. "I just want to keep improving, that's the most important thing. If I can succeed doing that then I will break the school record of 21:59," Jordahl said.

When asked about other activities she is involved in Jordahl painted a picture of someone who is determined to succeed.   "School, work, eat, sleep and run. Not necessarily in that order," Jordahl explained.

However, there is more to Becca Jordahl than a great athlete. Born in St. Paul, Minn., Jordahl moved to Pocatello, Idaho with her family when she was two years old.   "It's not like potato farming everywhere, like some people think, it's just like anywhere else," she explained. After graduating from high school she went to college in Walla Walla, Wash., on academic and athletic scholarship for soccer. After her first year there she decided to move back to St. Paul with her family where she attended Century College.  

At UWRF Jordahl is majoring in health and human performance, a popular major for athletes. "I hope to do something in the health or fitness industry, maybe some personal training, but I'm thinking about graduate school, so I'm not exactly sure yet," Jordahl explained.

Jordahl also mentioned that her family is very important to her. "When we all get together we have a great time," Jordahl said of her father Dan, her mother Dawn, and her sisters Tara and Danika.  

Jordahl has definitely already left her mark on the Falcon history books and if her improvement over the course of last season is any indication she may claim a history book of her own by the time she is done.