Christopher Newport senior women’s cross country standout Jess McClelland is among several hundred student-athletes preparing for the 2013 CAC Championship Saturday at Winter Place Park in Salisbury, Md. She has studied the mechanics of the body, has a role model who was (and is?) one of the greatest women’s distance runners in history, and when the starting gun fires Saturday, she can think of her favorite football team’s moto for inspiration.  INTRODUCING … Jess McClelland.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?   I started running cross country my freshman year of high school.  I had no idea what it was, but my middle school track coach, Mr. Brooks, told me that he thought I would be good at it and that I should give it a try.  I loved it and have been running ever since, through high school and now all through college.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I am a biology major and I would like to become a distance running coach after I graduate.  The most important, and interesting, class that I have taken here has been anatomy and physiology.  It was an important class for me because I learned all about how the body works, how the muscles work and respond to stress, and what the body needs to recover.  All of these things are crucial to understand in the world of athletics and will help me to develop into a better coach.  It also helped me to gain a better understanding as an athlete of why we do some of the things we do.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus is our outdoor track, shocking I know.  We meet for practice out on the track, and being with my teammates and running is my favorite part of the day.  It is located sort of on the edge of campus so it is not right in the middle of everything.  When you stand on the track after practice you have a perfect view of the sunset over campus, or of the stars at night.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?  This past summer, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work a Nike running camp in Boulder, Colo.  I had never been to Colorado before this trip but I absolutely loved it during the two weeks that I was there.  The Rocky Mountains are gorgeous and there is always perfect running weather! Not to mention, there are running and bike trails everywhere so there seemed to always be new places to explore.  I’m looking forward to the next time I get to visit there again.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  Our track team started a program last year called “Getting on Track” that works with one of the local high school track teams.  A few of the college runners go to their track practice once or twice a week and work with the high school runners on their drills and form etc., while also being available as mentors for anyone who was considering becoming a student athlete themselves in college.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   That’s an easy one.  The last race of my spring track season sophomore year was a huge breakthrough for me in my favorite event, the 1500.  It was a night race under the lights, and it started raining as I was doing my final strides to prep for my race (my favorite running weather).  It was a big meet and I was incredibly nervous to be racing against the other talent that was there and hoped I wouldn’t get dropped by the pack.  The gun went off and I ran a great race; it felt smooth and easy for the first time and I crossed the finish line in second place with about a 10 second PR.  My coach came sprinting across the infield and lifted me up out of excitement for my great race.  It was an awesome feeling and one that I will remember for a long time.

What is your favorite source of information (TV, book, magazine, website, friends in dining hall, etc.)?    Honestly, my favorite source of information would probably have to be my teammates in the dining hall.  I am not big into technology so I am always behind everyone else on learning “what’s new”, and my teammates always seem to know.  They bring me up to speed and are probably the quickest way for me to learn new information.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?   I would tell them not to be afraid to try new things.  There are two types of kids, the really outgoing ones that are willing to throw themselves into any opportunity; and the ones like I was that are shy and cautious of anything new.  I was afraid of my own shadow as a kid, but when I finally started getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things, I had a lot more fun - and what’s life without a little fun.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  My favorite sports team is the Alabama football team, and they have been ever since I was old enough to say “Roll Tide.”  I was born in Alabama and everyone on my dad’s side of the family still lives there, so I visit often and Alabama football runs in the family.  My dad has had season tickets for as long as I can remember and I usually make it to a game each year in Bryant-Denny Stadium.  I love going to the games or even just watching them play on TV wearing my Alabama jersey and hat.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    

Joan Benoit Samuelson- She is an amazing woman that won the first women’s Olympic marathon in 1984. After watching her documentary and learning more about her she absolutely seems like someone I want to meet.  She is almost 60 and she still runs more millage than I do at a faster pace than I can.  She just enjoys running and being alive.

Brad Paisley- Country music is my favorite type of music and he is my favorite artist.  “She’s Everything” is a song that he sings and it is my all-time favorite song. I would love to meet him.

Aladdin- He was my carton crush when I was a kid; and growing up it was always a dream of mine to go on a magic carpet ride.  It looked like so much fun in the movie!  I would play that scene over and over again.