NCAA DIVISION III WEEK STORY (NCAA.ORG)
MIAC DIVISION III WEEK PAGE
During the week of April 9-15, the NCAA and its partners are celebrating Division III Week. Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement.
Jennifer Pulscher (SR, Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty HS) is an eight-time letter winner as a member of the Augsburg cross country and track and field teams. A four-year veteran of the the Augsburg women's cross country team, Pulscher participated in 26 meets during her career, including six this season. As one of the Auggies' most consistent runners, Pulscher has finished as one of team's top-five runners in all six of the team's races this season. Pulscher recorded a career-best time of 25:58 (6,000 meters) at the Minnesota Inercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships during her senior season.
Pulscher was selected to the MIAC All-Sportsmanship team at the conclusion of her senior season as part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative. In addition to her performance as a student-athlete, Pulscher has been a member of Augsburg's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the past two seasons, and attended the first-ever MIAC Student-Athlete Leadership Conference this past summer at St. Mary's University. Pulscher is a business management major at Augsburg.
Question-Answer with Jennifer Pulscher:
Q: What have been the benefits to participating in a D-III athletic program?
A: I have benefited from a program that lets me grow as an athlete and as a leader. I like the strong emphasis on sportsmanship and dedication to our studies outside of sports. I also had the opportunity to be involved in the
MIAC Leadership Conference during the summer of 2011. I was able to bring back a lot of ideas from the leadership conference that I was able to use with my cross country team that helped us become a closer group.
Q: Why did you choose D-III?
A: I chose Division III because I wanted to keep running in college, but I also wanted to focus on my education.
Q: Why did you choose Augsburg?
A: I chose Augsburg because I wanted a small school, preferably in a city. Augsburg had the academic programs I wanted, and I liked that it was a Lutheran school. During my visit, I liked the friendly atmosphere, got along with the coach and could see myself running here. Over all it was a place I could see challenging me academically and athletically.
Q: What will you take away from your Augsburg athletic experience?
A: Augsburg has taught me how to work hard, on and off the course. I also learned that through dedication and the dream to go farther, you will do the unthinkable. Augsburg has shown me the power of a team. If teammates work together, they can accomplish more than individuals working alone.
Q: What does it mean to you to be an Auggie?
A: To be an Auggie is to be always giving your best and then some. We are always running the extra mile to perform at our very best. An Auggie is a friend off the course, but a competitor on the course. We are leaders and always ready to serve.
Q: What would you tell a prospective student-athlete about Augsburg?
A: Augsburg is a school that will challenge you, help you perform at your very best, help you grow as a person and over the years, turn into your family.
