Three Buffs Heading Pro Following Canceled Season
May 08, 2020 | Cross Country, Track and Field
BOULDER – Colorado track stars and redshirt seniors Dani Jones, Joe Klecker and Makena Morley are all heading pro after the cancelation of the NCAA Indoor Championships and outdoor season, the individuals announced this week.
"Dani, Joe and Makena have been important contributors to the CU program, and to our lasting legacy," said head coach Mark Wetmore. "It will be impossible to replace them. The problem with saying 'Go Buffs' is that, eventually, they have to go. They are now heading off in varying directions, but we will proudly watch them excel in their coming adventures."
The three combined for 19 First Team All-American finishes, including a top-eight finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships for each and a school record by each.
Jones concludes her career at Colorado as just the third Buffalo runner to capture four national titles, joining Jenny Simpson and Adam Goucher. She was a two-time National Athlete of the Year, earning her final one this winter with two NCAA top-10 times and a school record in the indoor 800.
"I'm thrilled to be on a team with such driven, successful women," said Jones on turning pro. "That's what I had at CU and what made me successful there. At Colorado I was surrounded by people with high goals and expectations, and who worked extremely hard to reach them. I know Colorado made me the athlete I am today and is the reason I have a great opportunity to continue my running career."
Klecker concludes his career as an 11-time NCAA qualifier and seven-time First Team All-American. He put together three top-three finishes at NCAA Championships, including scoring 14 points at the 2019 Indoor Championships, the most by a CU male runner at either indoors or outdoors. He is the school record holder in the indoor 5,000 and the 2019 NCAA Cross Runner-Up.
"Although I feel there is a chapter left unfinished at CU I am very excited for my next step in the sport and finishing my degree," said Klecker. "I'm forever grateful for the coaches that turned me into the best runner I could be."
Morley was a huge part of capturing the 2018 women's NCAA Cross Country Championships with an eighth-place finish. She also holds the school record in the 10,000 and a pair of top-three times in school history in the indoor 3,000 and 5,000. In just four championships on the track, Morley was a three-time First Team All-American.
"Thank you to my teammates, coaches and fellow Buffs for pushing me to be my best and for showing me the power of teamwork and teammates," said Morley. "Go Buffs forever!"
"Dani, Joe and Makena have been important contributors to the CU program, and to our lasting legacy," said head coach Mark Wetmore. "It will be impossible to replace them. The problem with saying 'Go Buffs' is that, eventually, they have to go. They are now heading off in varying directions, but we will proudly watch them excel in their coming adventures."
The three combined for 19 First Team All-American finishes, including a top-eight finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships for each and a school record by each.
Jones concludes her career at Colorado as just the third Buffalo runner to capture four national titles, joining Jenny Simpson and Adam Goucher. She was a two-time National Athlete of the Year, earning her final one this winter with two NCAA top-10 times and a school record in the indoor 800.
"I'm thrilled to be on a team with such driven, successful women," said Jones on turning pro. "That's what I had at CU and what made me successful there. At Colorado I was surrounded by people with high goals and expectations, and who worked extremely hard to reach them. I know Colorado made me the athlete I am today and is the reason I have a great opportunity to continue my running career."
Klecker concludes his career as an 11-time NCAA qualifier and seven-time First Team All-American. He put together three top-three finishes at NCAA Championships, including scoring 14 points at the 2019 Indoor Championships, the most by a CU male runner at either indoors or outdoors. He is the school record holder in the indoor 5,000 and the 2019 NCAA Cross Runner-Up.
"Although I feel there is a chapter left unfinished at CU I am very excited for my next step in the sport and finishing my degree," said Klecker. "I'm forever grateful for the coaches that turned me into the best runner I could be."
Morley was a huge part of capturing the 2018 women's NCAA Cross Country Championships with an eighth-place finish. She also holds the school record in the 10,000 and a pair of top-three times in school history in the indoor 3,000 and 5,000. In just four championships on the track, Morley was a three-time First Team All-American.
"Thank you to my teammates, coaches and fellow Buffs for pushing me to be my best and for showing me the power of teamwork and teammates," said Morley. "Go Buffs forever!"
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