Despite graduating from SIUC, track and field standout Jennie Horner has not given up on taking her talent to the next level of competition.

Horner, a 1995 graduate in speech communication, is now focusing her attention on qualifying for the 1996 Olympic Team Trials, despite having to overcome an injury which has slowed her progress somewhat.

Right now I’m unable to run for the next couple of weeks due to a leg injury, but the trials are something I definitely have my sights set on, Horner said. This has always been a long term goal of mine.

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Horner, who returned to SIUC Dec. 1 to begin training for the trials held in Atlanta this June, said it was important to her to return to the SIUC campus in order to train alongside her former teammates and coach.

She said she had not been running very much prior to her return and took on too much too soon, resulting in a strained tendon in her leg.

I was in Colorado and I wasn’t used to running a lot everyday and jumped back into it too fast, she said. So to get healthy, I’m doing cross training on the bike, Stair master and the pool to help my injury heal.

Horner said she hopes to return to running regularly in about two weeks.

SIUC women’s track and field coach Don DeNoon, who is helping train Horner in her trial bid, said she has a strong opportunity for success.

At this point, she is trying to get injury free and condition herself, DeNoon said. She has a very good chance at making the trials.

Jenny is a great athlete and has been successful here in the past and hopefully she will rise to the occasion once more.

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While Horner stands a strong chance at making the trials, DeNoon said a shot at qualifying for the Olympics may have to wait.

DeNoon said there are very competitive and skilled runners at the Olympic level who have a lot of experience.

She has a good chance at the trials, but at this point, she is probably too far away to make the Olympic team, DeNoon said. Normally it takes two or three Olympic efforts to gain the confidence to compete at that level.

DeNoon said runners train for years to make the Olympic team, rarely achieving that goal the first time out. He said if Horner sticks with her bid to make the Olympics for four to five years, she can make the team.

In order to get to the trials, Horner will have to meet the standard qualifying time of 4:17 in the 1,500 meter run. Last year Horner ran the 1,500 in 4:22 and ranked 50th in the nation among 1500 meter competitors.

Only 36 runners will qualify for the trial team out of a field of approximately 150. However, only three will advance to the Olympic Team.

Although the qualifying standard is 4:17, DeNoon said many runners will run below 4:05.

Really all you have to do is meet the qualifying time in an official meet, Horner said. I only need to trim five seconds from my time of last year, so it’s within reach. But, my time has to be among the fastest to qualify.

Horner was one of SIUC’s top scorers last season, and among other honors, was named the Most Valuable Track Athlete at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship in Normal, Ill.

Horner’s career as a runner began at an early age, said her father, Al Horner.

She began to run at about the age of five, he said. I knew she would continue after graduation.

There was never any doubt in my mind that she would continue because she is such a competitor. Even if she doesn’t make the Olympics she will continue running.

Horner said she will travel with the Saluki track and field team this spring and hopes to be able to compete in a couple of meets against good competition. She said she can compete in any contest, just so long as it’s an open meet.

DeNoon said the number of races Horner competes in is not nearly important as the quality of the race and facing tough competition.

He also said it’s sometimes tough finding good competition. He said a team travels to a meet expecting to face stiff competition, but sometimes no one shows up.

I have no idea what will happen, but I do need to face good competition to determine where I stand, Horner said. Some people say this may be a long shot. That may be true but it’s definitely a once in a lifetime chance and a great experience.

What’s in store next for Horner if she does not make it this time around?

If I don’t make it this time I’ll try in 2000, she said.