SPENCE TURNS PRO

By David Monti.
(c) 2011 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
December 27, 2011

Neely Spence, the reigning NCAA Division II 5000m and cross country champion, has decided to turn professional, according to the athletics department at Shippensburg University where she competed.

"Today, Shippensburg University senior Neely Spence began her dream to become an Olympian by signing a contract with an agent to begin her career as a professional runner," read the release, dated Dec. 26.

Spence, 21, who has a 5000m personal best of 15:27.72, finished seventh in that event at the USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., last June and went on to represent the United States at the Pan Am Games, where she finished eighth.  Spence won eight NCAA Division II national championships: six in track & field and two in cross-country.

"Ever since I began my competitive career in eighth grade, I have wanted to become a professional distance runner," Spence said through the news release. "This is what I have strived for over the last eight years. Finally, I have the opportunity to embody this dream. I have climbed to the peak of one mountain, and am about to start at the base of another."

According to a written interview Spence gave to Flotrack.org, she has signed with Flynn Sports Management of Gray, Tenn.

Spence was coached during her college career by her father, Steve, the World Championships Marathon bronze medalist in 1991.

	Tell a friend about this article (Dont worry we won't email your friend(s) again. We send them a 1 time email) Enter their email address(es), separated by a comma. Enter your name: Don't Worry: We Back to Main Front Page Questions, comments or suggestions?Please email the LetsRun.com staff at suggestions@LetsRun.com.