Jessie Phillips signs with Madonna University
From left: Back row, Derek and Sarah Phillips, Jessie’s parents; Madonna Coach Stacy Latnie; Manchester Cross Country coach Sarah McCaffrey; Jessie wearing her yellow Madonna sweatshirt; and MHS Track coach Dan Budd.
Jessica Phillips, a senior at Manchester Jr/Sr High School, signed with Madonna University to run on their track and cross country teams, at an event held at Manchester High School on January 20.
“Jessie is your typical sprinter,” says her father, Derek Phillips, who is a physical education teacher and conditioning coach. “She has always loved to run fast but she was never big on distance running.”
Although during the three previous fall seasons, Jessie had done competitive cheer, she was looking for something different this year. And she found her niche on the Cross Country Team.
Jessie has always run track through middle school and high school, and was typically a sprinter and long jumper. Her main events were the 100-meter, 200-meter, and occasionally ran the 400-meter, usually to fill in for someone else, according to her dad.
“She got bored this spring during COVID,” he explains. “And one day she just decided to go out for a run … then, a month into it, she was running some distance. She decided to give Cross Country a shot this fall; she made team captain and was actually one of the main reasons the team made it to states this year.”
This spring, she anticipates doing some longer runs on the track team in addition to her traditional sprinting events.
It has been a long-time dream to run in college and now that’s coming through for Jessie, said her dad.
“Oh yeah — I’m proud of my daughter,” he adds. “I’m already sporting Madonna gear!”
Excelling in the classroom as well as on the track, Jessie holds a high GPA and “loves school in general.” She’s definitely looking forward to going to school at Madonna University.
Congratulations, Jessica!
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