By Meridyth Sanders ‘21, co-editor in chief

As any collegiate athlete knows, balancing practices, tournaments and competitions with a rigorous academic schedule is no easy task, and it takes someone with a strong work ethic and high level of dedication to remain successful in both. 

Physical therapy graduate student Keri Jones is one such athlete. She was recently honored for her efforts both on and off the track by the Mid Atlantic Conference Committee as the 2021 MAC Women’s Cross Country Senior Scholar-Athlete of the year. 

“Although participating in college athletics takes time from your schedule, I think that running cross country and track has actually improved my performance in academics,” Jones said. “Running in college has helped me better manage my time and served as a great outlet from the stress of PT school.”

Jones was inspired by her five siblings, who have each ran or are currently running cross country and track, to take up the sport, and she has now been running for ten years. She made the decision to attend LVC based on the physical therapy program, the campus community and, of course, the opportunity to participate in both cross country and track throughout her schooling. 

Throughout her athletic career at LVC, Jones has been recognized as the MAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year, named LVC’s second-ever individual runner to win their championship at MAC’s and placed fifth among nearly 350 runners at NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Meet, securing a spot in the national tournament. 

“One of my favorite memories was cross country MAC’s in 2019 when both the women’s and men’s teams ran really well,” Jones said. “Another special memory was when my teammates surprised Lauren Wick and I by driving to Kentucky to support us at Nationals!”

Jones has one more year of eligibility left as a student athlete, and she will continue to compete with the cross country and track teams next year as she finishes her doctorate in physical therapy. 

“My best advice for balancing academics and athletics is to stay organized with both your daily and weekly schedules,” Jones said. “As athletes we have extra time commitments with practices and competitions, so keeping an organized schedule can help you plan accordingly for athletic events and exams.”

After completing school, Jones intends to work in an outpatient orthopedic therapy setting.