THAT'S A WINN-ER

Blakelee Winn finishes standout career at PSU

The long jump is Blakelee Winn's favorite event, and she ended her Pittsburg State career by winning the national championship in the event at the NCAA Division II outdoor track and field meet in May at Emporia, Kan. COURTESY DEREK LIVINGSTON / PSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

By Jim Henry

The name says it all.

Blakelee Winn did a lot of winning during her Pittsburg State track and field career, highlighted by three NCAA Division II national championships among a dozen All-America performances plus six MIAA titles among 15 all-league efforts.

“A lot of people would be like, ‘what’s your last name?’ ’’ she said. “I’m like, it’s Winn.

“Then they would say how ironic, or they would joke to me, Blakelee lose. It’s funny. It’s a good last name for sure.”

After ending her career last month, Winn was named the D2 Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

This week she was named one of 11 finalists for the D2 Honda Athlete of the Year Award for track and field.

“To be nominated for the Honda Athlete of the Year award is humbling because it reflects the support and belief that so many people have poured into me throughout my journey,” Winn said. “I’m proud to represent Pitt State, my teammates and everyone who helped me reach this point.”

SOFTBALL FIRST

At Pea Ridge (Ark.) High School, most of Winn’s time during the spring was devoted to softball, not track and field although she did win state championships in long jump, 100-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles.

“Ever since I was little, I was wanting to play softball,” Winn said. “But I knew if I chose track, that was the sport that I had a lot of potential. I just took a chance on that, and it ended up working out.”

Her first contact with Pittsburg State actually came through softball.

“One of my teammates on my travel softball team was from Pittsburg actually,” Winn said. “She set up a visit for me, introduced me to (coach Kyle) Rutledge, and he gave me a tour and everything. That’s how I came to realize that Pitt State was a successful program. That’s one of the reasons I chose them.”

Winn chose PSU even though track and field power Arkansas was just 35 minutes from home.

“Of course, the end goal would be to go D1, go to Arkansas, my home state,” she said. “But I think I had a lot of developing to do still, so that’s why I chose Pitt State. That’s the place I knew I would be able to improve.”

‘CULTURE SHOCK’

It was quite the change for Winn when she devoted her entire athletic career to track and field.

“I went to Pitt State, and the first practice was kind of a culture shock,” she said. “But I made it through, and I was expecting it to be my second home. And fortunately, it became that.

“I don’t think I even had expectations (coming into college). I didn’t even know the whole track world. I didn’t even know how high I could go in this sport.”

Rutledge introduced her to the multi events – five events for the pentathlon indoors and seven events for the heptathlon outdoors.

“I didn’t even know what that was until I got there,” Winn said. “He was like this is what I have planned for you, and he explained to me what it was about. I put my trust in him, and he put his trust in me by recruiting me.”

Long jump is her favorite event, and the 800 meters is the least favorite.

“I do enjoy it,” she said. “It’s definitely the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life, but I think it’s also made me who I am and made me a hard worker.”
Winn developed into one of the nation’s best multi athletes. She has one national title and a third place in the pentathlon, and a first place, two seconds and a third in the heptathlon.

Her other national championship came in the long jump at last month’s outdoor meet in Emporia.

“Blakelee has been one of the most dominant and versatile athletes in Division II since she was a true freshman,” Rutledge said. “She has been a three-time national champion and a 12-time All-American with the heptathlon, pentathlon, long jump, hurdles and relays.

“Blakelee didn’t just shine on the track, but she has been a valuable part of the program off the track with her leadership and her work ethic. Her leadership went far beyond her performance. This team would not have had the success it did if it wasn’t for her guidance and leadership that she demonstrated every day at practice.”

FROM ATHLETE TO COACH

Winn has a 4.0 grade point average as she completes work on her master’s degree in health, human performance and recreation this summer. She has been hired as head track and field coach and teacher at Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Ark.

Looking back on her career, “I’ll definitely remember all the friendships and relationships I’ve made,” she said. “All the memories, the people I’ve been around the past five years.”

“There will never be another Blakelee Winn,” Rutledge said, “and it has been an honor to have her part of this program for the past five years.”

BY THE NUMBERS

Blakelee Winn’s college bests:

60 meters – 7.51 seconds;

60 hurdles – 8.33 seconds;

100 hurdles – 13.59 seconds;

200 meters – 23.61 seconds;

400 meters – 57.65 seconds;

800 meters – 2:19.81;

High jump – 5 feet, 5.25 inches;

Long jump – 20-9.75;

Shot put – 44-11;