2025 Cause for Celebration: Jenelle Deatherage
Meet 1993 Illinois State Cross Country Champion Jenelle Deatherage of East Peoria!
Before Jenelle, East Peoria hadn’t seen a state championship in any sport since 1952 (for over 40 years). But in 1993, East Peoria dominated the high school running scene as Deatherage won for the women and her classmate, Time Broe, won for men (the first boy and girl runners from the same school to ever accomplish that feat). She then had resounding success her senior year when she was crowned 1600 meter state champion.
Graduating with a full scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, Jenelle's accolades continued with three Big Ten Conference titles and four All-American titles. Jenelle was also named the 1999 Big Ten Track and Field Athlete of the Year and the 1999 University of Wisconsin Female Athlete of the Year, and she earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 1999 World University Games in the 1500. By the time Jenelle finished her career at Wisconsin, she had been named five times Big Ten Academics in Track and Cross Country.
After college Jenelle ran for the Wisconsin Runner Racing Team and Team U.S.A. Minnesota. Among her career highlights, third place at the 2003 USA 5K indoor championships, fourth place at the 2004 U.S. Olympic trials in the 1500 (coming in at a speedy 4:07), second place at the Drake Relays, first place at the 2005 Wise Track Club Capitol Mile (4:38), second place at the Reebok Boston Indoor mile (4:32), and second place at the 2008 USA Indoor 5K Championships. Back in her hometown a decade later, she won the Steamboat Classic 4 Mile for women in 2018.
She now uses her BA in Kinesiology and master's in physical therapy to serve fellow athletes as a physical therapist in the Minneapolis area.
Jenelle's story is a gleaming example of discipline and commitment, and the SC415 Presented by PNC is honored to highlight this inspiring hometown hero! Her triumphs in running are truly Cause for Celebration.
