Matt Sparks describes Jamie Pfister as a diamond in the rough.

Sparks, SIU’s cross country coach, recruited Pfister two years ago to become a long-distance track runner for the Salukis. But Pfister has since become one of the women’s cross country team’s top performers, an alarming notion considering Pfister had never run cross country before in her life.’

‘He wanted me to run distance (in track), so he just figured that I would run cross country too,’ Pfister said.

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Sparks said it’s nearly impossible to fathom an athlete picking up a sport for the first time and succeeding at a collegiate level. Pfister, whose high school did not even support a cross country program, has picked up the sport and become a solid contributor to a team that finished sixth place in the NCAA Regionals meet last weekend.

‘That’s one of the unique things about our sport,’ Sparks said. ‘If you can run fast, you can run fast and that often translates well in other sports. Kids that play soccer in high school will often go on to be good in track or cross country if they can run fast.’

Pfister has alternated between being the team’s third and fourth runner for this season. She finished seventh place in the Panther Open on Sept. 12 and also finished in the top-10 at the Saluki Invitational Sept. 27.

But Pfister’s success hasn’t come without difficulties.

After suffering a stress fracture in her femur last season, an injury she said was a result of not being used to running so many miles, Pfister was forced to redshirt and sit out a season.

Sparks said the injury is still something they have to monitor every day.

‘Her body isn’t used to that consistent motion of running mile after mile after mile,’ Sparks said. ‘We limit her training to running only four, maybe five days a week, whereas everybody else runs seven days a week, 350 days a year.’

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At Roanoke-Benson High School, Pfister showed her versatility by not only running the mile, but also the 100-meter dash and the long jump for the track team.

Pfister said the most difficult transition she made from running only track to cross country was the course.

‘The toughest part was the different terrain,’ Pfister said. ‘I wasn’t really used to running on grass.’

Pfister also brings her talents to the classroom. Pfister has a 4.0 GPA and Sparks said her intelligence has translated onto the course, making her constantly aware of her surroundings.

‘That’s something that’s allowed her, meet after meet this year, to get better,’ Sparks said. ‘I think she’s always going to retain that level of awareness that’s going to allow her to continue to improve.’

Pfister has also been able to learn from more experienced teammates.

Sophomore Emily Toennies, Pfister’s roommate, said Pfister’s hard work has allowed her to have a successful first season.

‘She has a great work ethic and she’s always willing to work,’ Toennies said. ‘That’s what’s really allowed her to do so well this season.’

Stile Smith can be reached at

536-3311 ext. 282 or [email protected].