By Bill Morgal ‘07

Nonchalance.

It is the ultimate by-product of Neely Spence, an extraordinary freshman whose ability to do the incredible just comes with her daily routine.

Nearing the end of her first year in college, Neely has been named PSAC’s Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, Women’s Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year, Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, and Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year.

Neely was the national runner-up at the Division II Cross Country Championships. In March, she competed in her second national championship meet, and the reward was so much sweeter.

Shippensburg ran the distance medley relay to perfection, but received quite a fright on Friday the 13th in Houston. Late in the race a lap was counted twice by an official, resulting in mass confusion.

The situation was resolved and the Lady Raiders had made history. They obliterated the national championship meet record with a time of 11:24.54. Neely ran an incredible anchor leg that distanced the Lady Raiders from the rest of the field.

Yet when asked about the race, Neely’s only thought was that her team was able to achieve this greatness together. “The beauty of a relay is it takes four pieces and we just had each piece. Everyone showed up.

“My team here at Ship has become a family to me,” she said. “I am so thankful to have their support and love.”

Perhaps her most impressive individual feat was achieved on a blustery day in February. Neely won a 6K meet and was crowned the 2009 USA Junior World Cross Country Champion.

As a result, Neely was an automatic qualifier for the United States delegation at the 2009 IIAF World Cross Country Championships held this past March in Amman, Jordan. Her first trip overseas including her first flight was capped by being voted captain of the American squad by her teammates.

Spence woke up on the morning of March 28 prepared for the ultimate mission — running for the United States of America.

“Being on the starting line wearing the United States of America jersey was pure exultation,” Spence said. “I could sense the importance of what was about to happen, and it was amazing.”

Despite a race that featured “flying elbows” and a runner who stopped to tie a shoe, Neely finished nineteenth — the highest U.S. finisher.

Neely competed in her first outdoor meet eleven days after her return and shattered an 11-year-old school record in the 5,000-meters to qualify for the Division II championships.

“Running is my lifestyle,” she said. “It consumes much of my time and thought and has helped develop me into who I am today. Running does not define me, but it greatly influences my life.”

Neely ran her leg of the relay in exceptional time ensuring the Lady Raider win. Above: Neely is proud of her role as junior captain on the U.S. team that competed in the World Championship in March.