Jamie Shrader emerged as one of the top cross country runners in the nation last season, but a hip injury put an early end to it.
Now she's healthy and trying to pick up where she left off.
"That is the goal," Pima coach Greg Wenneborg said. "I know that she's not at peak performance shape, but I know she's very talented and has a lot of heart."
The Star recently sat down with Shrader to take a look back at her time with Pima leading up to Friday's ACCAC championship meet in Glendale as she tries to defend her conference title:
• What: 2011 George Kyte Invitational, Sept. 3, Flagstaff
• The details: Shrader graduated from Flagstaff High School, so this was her homecoming and first collegiate race. She was the top junior college finisher by 43 seconds. Her time of 18 minutes, 34.1 seconds was also No.1 in the country for a few weeks.
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• She said it: "My goal was to break 20 minutes and then I looked up at the time and I was so shocked. It was the best feeling in the world."
• What: 2011 ACCAC conference championships, Sept. 30, Coolidge
• The details: Leading up to the race, Shrader said she felt a little pull in her hip but didn't think anything of it. She ran a 19:22.2 to win Pima's first conference title in at least 12 years and possibly since the 1980s, according to Wenneborg.
• She said it: "After that race I couldn't even move. I was crawling around my house and finally I got some crutches."
• What: 2011 NJCCA National Championships, Nov. 12, Hobbs, N.M.
• The details: Even though Shrader was still dealing with her hip injury she decided she could try to run off adrenaline. However, she pulled out about 500 meters in because the pain was too much.
• She said it: "I just stopped because I couldn't handle it. That was before I knew I had a stress fracture. I went back to the doctor and found out it was."
• What: 2012 George Kyte Invitational, Sept. 1, Flagstaff
• The details: This was her first cross country race back since the ACCAC meet - and only meet so far this season - so she wasn't surprised she ran a slower 19:59.2. However, she'd rather see her best times come later in the year for nationals.
• She said it: "I know I still have a long ways to go, whereas last year I ran super fast and ended up getting hurt. I'd rather make it to nationals this year."
Other sports
• In volleyball, freshman libero Courtney Pitts received all-tournament honors in last week's San Diego City College Tournament as Pima finished third. Since starting the season 2-7, the Aztecs have won seven straight matches and play at South Mountain CC today. Pima hosts Yavapai on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the first of four consecutive home dates.
• In men's soccer, the offense has scored 12 total goals in its last two games. Pima closes out a three-game road stretch against Glendale CC today.
• In women's soccer, Pima will try to end its four-game skid at Glendale CC today. The Aztecs (5-4) have been outscored 11-3 in their losing streak.
• In football, the Aztecs (1-4) travel to Mesa on Saturday hoping to end a two-game skid. Four of Pima's six remaining games will be on the road.
