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Mary Jaqua holds the unique title of Adams State's first-ever female individual national champion in cross country. Jaqua accomplished this feat at the 1981 NAIA Cross Country Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Jaqua's winning time of 18:34 led the Adams State women's program to its first-ever national title. She concluded her career as a 6-time All-American and was later selected as a member of the RMAC's All-Time Women's Cross Country Team in 2009. She earned All-American honors in cross country (1980 & 1981), indoor track & field (1981 & 1982), and outdoor track & field (1981 & 1982). At the 1982 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, she won 3000m and 5000m individual titles. Her 3000m title time was 10:04.15 while clocking a 5000m time of 16:56.97. For her performance, Jaqua was named the Herbert B. Marett Outstanding Performer for the national meet.
Regarding her athletic skillset, then head coach for women's cross country, Rock Light, said the following about Jaqua:
"She is the most dedicated runner that I've coached. She has a way of motivating the other girls."
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