Nov. 12, 2015
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Middle distance runner Jacqueline 'J.J.' Escalera from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, Calif. signed a National Letter-of-Intent to compete for the San José State women's cross country and track and field teams beginning in the 2016-17 academic year. Spartan cross country coach Brad Wick made the announcement.
"We are very excited to have J.J. join the squad," said Wick. "Her specialty is middle distance on the track but I know she will also be a major contributor next fall in cross country."
In six meets this fall, Escalera placed first at the season-opening 2.05-mile Firebird Invitational in Sunnyvale and at the 2.95-mile Aragon's Center Meet in Pacifica, winning by over minute and a half.
Escalera placed in the top-five in three other meets. She was fifth out of 103 runners at the 3-mile Early Bird Invitational in Salinas, second out of 361 at the 2.1-mile Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL) cluster meet #1 in San Jose and fifth out of 340 at the 2.95-mile SCVAL cluster meet #2 in Crystal Springs.
At the Artichoke Invitational in Half Moon Bay, Escalera placed 18th overall out of 663 runners in the 2.33-mile meet.
As a track athlete, Escalera specialized in the 800-meter and 1600-meter events during her sophomore and junior seasons. She turned in a personal record 2:17.06 in the Central Coast Section 800-meter semifinal. The PR, which came in her 12th meet of the year, was close to four full seconds faster than her time in the season opener. She clocked a personal-record time of 5:04.70 in the 1600 during a dual meet against Monta Vista High School on March 12, 2015. Escalera also competed on Fremont High's 4x400 relay team.
Escalera's most important cross country meets are coming up later this month at the CCS Finals and the California State Meet finals.
"She will be equally important for cross country as she will be for track," said Wick.
SOCIAL MEDIA Keep up with your San José State men's and women's cross country teams this season on social media!
Get highlights and upcoming events via Twitter by following @SanJoseStateTF
Get highlights and see post-meet pictures on Instagram by following @sjsudistance
The team is active on Facebook. See the workout and meet videos via facebook.com/sjsudistance