(Updated: 07/16/2014)
MIZZOU PERSONAL RECORDS
Cross Country
5000m Run - 18:18.58 | Greater Louisville Classic | 09/29/2012
6000m Run - 22:03 | Wisconsin Adidas Invite | 10/12/2012
Indoor Track & Field
3000m Run - 10:13.07 | Tyson Invite | 02/15/2014
Outdoor Track & Field
5000m Run - 16:55.21 | Mt. SAC Relays | 04/19/2014
2013-14
Seasons' Bests
3000m Run (Ind.) - 10:13.07 | Tyson Invite (02/15)
5000m Run (Out.) - 16:55.21 | Mt. SAC Relays (04/19)
Cross Country - Did not compete.
Indoor - Maria took to the track twice during the indoor season, both times finishing the 3000-meter run under her PR mark from 2013...She started the seasno at home with the Missouri Invitational, where she placed third with a final time of 10:14.90...She bumped that time down another notch at the Tyson Invitational, where she crossed with a new PR mark of 10:13.07.
Outdoor - Maria focused on the 5000-meter run during the outdoor season, once again bumping down her PR time from 2013...She staretd the season with a 17:07.31 performance at the Crimson Tide Invitational, before breaking the 17-minute barrier at the Mt. SAC Relays...She closed her season in California at Mt. SAC with a career-best time of 16:55.21.
2012-13
Seasons' Bests
5000m Run (XC) - 18:18.58 | Greater Louisville Classic (09/29)
6000m Run (XC) - 22:04 | Wisconsin Adidas Invite (10/12)
3000m Run (Ind.) - 10:29.18 | Collegiate Challenge (02/15)
5000m Run (Out.) - 17:10.58 | Ole Miss Invite (04/13)
Cross Country - Maria was consistently in the top seven for the Tigers throughout the 2012 cross country season, starting with the Iowa State Invitational where she finished second for the team, eighth overall, in 18:47...Hit a PR time of 18:18.58 at the Greater Louisville Classic...Earned another PR in the 6000-meter run the following meet, finishing fifth for the team at the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational in 22:03...Ended her season at the SEC Championships in Nashville, Tenn., where she navigated the 6000-meter course in 22:48.66.
Indoor - Maria's lone meet of the indoor season was the Missouri Collegiate Challenge, where she finished third in the 3000-meters with a final time of 10:29.18.
Outdoor - Maria started her season at the Missouri Relays, where she finished third in the 5000-meters...Ran to a new 5000-meter PR at the Ole Miss Invitational, finishing fifth in 17:10.58...Ended the season at the SEC Championships, hosted by Missouri, running 17:20.18 in the 5000-meters.
2011-12
Seasons' Bests
5000m Run (XC) - 19:50.24 | Mizzou Cross Country Challenge (09/10)
6000m Run (XC) - 22:27.37 | Bradley Classic (10/14)
Cross Country - Finished ninth at the Saluki Early Bird, completing the 4000-meter course in 15:27.20...Came in 18th at the Missouri Cross Country Challenge, clocking a final time of 19:50.24...Took 44th in the 6000-meter race at the Bradley Classic, crossing in 22:27.37.
Indoor - Did not compete.
Outdoor - Ran unattached in the 1500-meter run at the Kansas Relays, where she finished seventh in 4:47.41.
HIGH SCHOOL
Bests
1600m - 5:08 | 3-mile (XC) - 17:42
Maria ran for Belleville East HS for coach Bryan Mitchell...CROSS COUNTRY...She was a three-time Conference and Regional Champion (2008-10)...Two-time MSHSAA State Championships qualifier (2008, 2010)...TRACK & FIELD...Maria was a four-time MSHSAA State Championships qualifier for the 1600-meter run (2007-10)...She was also a member of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Team (2008-10).
PERSONAL
Parents are Kevin and Ramona...Born May 20, 1993 in Belleville, Ill...Graduated high school Cum Laude...Was the 2011 Young Women of Achievement Award winner...Won the Bob Baldwin Award...Post-Dispatch Scholar-Athlete Award recipient (2011)...Made the Spring 2012 Dean's List...Aunt, Julie Effinger Merrill, was a five-time All-American swimmer at Mizzou (1977-1981) and was inducted into the Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006...Is studying Elementary Education.