The stresses of college can be exhausting, especially if you are always on the run. Just ask Jennifer Howard, a senior ETSU cross-country team member, who will soon be trading in her track shoes for a pair of scrubs.
Howard is the 2002 Southern Conference Indoor 400-meter champion and finished as a runner-up in the 2000 and 2001 Indoor and Outdoor Southern Conference 400-meter dash. Her personal record (P.R.) in the 200-meters is 24.6 seconds and 55.15 seconds in the 400-meters.
Howard, a dental hygiene major, stated that she has enjoyed the program at ETSU.
“I want to have a family one day,” she said. “Being a dental hygienist, I can pick my hours.”
Reflecting on her time at college, Howard said that she was proud and satisfied with her accomplishments.
“I’ve had a good career [with track]. I wouldn’t change anything,” she said.
According to Howard, winning the 400-meters this year has been her favorite accomplishment.
“I’ve been second place for the past two years in the indoor and outdoor,” she explained. “I’ve had four second-places.”
She also stated that she was excited last year when she broke 56 second in the outdoor 400-meter race.
Howard’s goals for the remainder of the season include “going out and improving [her] times from last year.”
She added that while preparing to graduate is stressful, she will finish the season out and do the best that she can.
Though she counts passing her dental hygiene boards as one of her top ambitions, she also added that she would “love to break 55 seconds in the 400-meters. If it doesn’t happen, though, that’ll be okay, too.”
Post-graduation, Howard hopes to get a job and leave Johnson City.
“I want to go somewhere different. I may go to Knoxville or out of state,” she said.
Further, Howard plans on hanging up her running shoes when the season ends, though she stated that she will continue to stay active.
The people at ETSU have made college enjoyable for Howard.
“I’ll miss everything but the schoolwork,” she joked.
Then, on a more serious note, “I’m ready to move on. Most of all, I’ll miss track and being part of a group.

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