BLOG 17: Muir earns All-American honors

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State All-American cross country runner Tina Muir (left) and head coach Steve Picucci (right) pose for a picture while in Pennsylvania (Courtesy Photo)

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Ferris State University’s Tina Muir has always been a goal-oriented person, and not much beats having goals, hopes and dreams turn into reality.

Muir earned All-American honors (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) for the Ferris women’s cross country team as she finished 12th at the 2008 NCAA Division II Championships (Nov. 22). In a field of 189 runners, Muir ran with the elite in the 6K race as she clocked a time of 21:59 in a meet conducted at Cooper’s Lake Campground. Muir’s 12th-place national finish is the highest ever for a Bulldog woman cross country runner. The outstanding Jenny Irwin, the only other Bulldog woman to earn All-American cross country honors (2005) placed 20th in 2005 at the NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Championships in Pomona, Calif.

“I can’t put into words how much it means to me to achieve this honor,” Muir said as she has continued her strong running that started in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships at Katke Golf Course (Nov. 8) in Big Rapids and continued into the national meet. “It’s something that when I arrived last year I wanted to do but I would have never expected to do this well this early on. Now, I know I have three years to improve and see what I can do.”

Muir, like many of her teammates, is quick to give some of the credit for success to the efforts of interim cross country coach Steve Picucci.

“I couldn’t have done it without Steve, he pushed me to work hard, went out of his way to help me in any way possible and just believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself,” said Muir, who has proven herself deserving of all the accolades she has earned during this banner 2008 season. “This is the most proud I have ever been of myself and I have to keep reminding myself that I actually achieved 12th place as it hasn’t sunken in yet.”

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com