Mary Jayne Harrelson (1996-2001) of Appalachian State is one of the most accomplished individual athletes in the history of the Southern Conference. A six-time all-American in outdoor track and field, Harrelson capped her career by becoming the first female in league history to win two individual national titles as she captured the 1,500-meter crown at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 1999 and 2001. She was the first SoCon athlete in more than 50 years to win two national titles and only the fourth two-time national champion in the league’s 87-year history.
Harrelson’s long list of accolades includes 23 individual SoCon championships, two SoCon Female Athlete of the Year awards (1999, 2001), the 2001 NCAA Woman of the Year award for the state of North Carolina and a silver medal in the 1,500 at the 2003 PanAm Games. She also holds countless ASU records and two Southern Conference all-time marks. In addition, Harrelson was the SoCon cross country champion for three consecutive years (1998-2000) and an NCAA cross country qualifier in each of those seasons.
Harrelson is currently training in Eugene, Ore. in preparation for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials.
The following Appalachian State student-athletes join Harrelson on the Southern Conference’s 25th Anniversary Teams:
Valorie Whiteside (1984-88), Basketball ? Holds 42 school records and still ranks 7th in NCAA history in scoring
Whitney Ball (1986-90), Cross Country ? Two-time SoCon champion who helped ASU to four team titles
Angie Ridgeway (1984-87), Golf ? Two-time individual medalist; competed for 12 years on the LPGA Tour
Melissa Morrison (1990-93), Indoor Track & Field ? Two-time Olympic bronze medalist (2000, ’04) in the 100-meter hurdles
Jennifer Rudy (2001-04), Soccer ? ASU’s all-time leader in goals, points and matches played
Lindsay Glover (2004-07), Softball ? School record holder in 12 categories; two-time first-team All-SoCon
Susan Love (1979-83), Tennis ? Was ASU team captain and top player during the first SoCon season
Traci Blankenship (1982-85, Head Coach 1987-91), Volleyball ? Three-time SoCon Player of the Year and 1988 SoCon Coach of the Year