Hall of Fame Spotlight: Track & Field's Mollie DeFrancesco Turner

James Madison will welcome its newest class into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, November 20. As we approach induction day, JMUSports.com will feature members of the new class each week. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner are still available.

Today's focus is on All-American track and field star Mollie DeFrancesco Turner.

Mollie DeFrancesco Turner

Representing the James Madison track and field and cross country programs from 1999 to 2003, Mollie DeFrancesco, as she was known during her time at JMU, was the first JMU student-athlete to earn three All-America honors in the same year.

The East Greenbush, N.Y. native garnered success at the highest level of competition. In her junior season, she placed first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the POWERade North America, Central America & Caribbean (NACAC) Under-25 Championships, fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships and sixth in the 5,000-meter run at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Her success led to many recognitions, including being named 2002 Mondo/U.S. Track Coaches Association Southeast Region Athlete of the Year after winning the ECAC indoor 5,000-meter and 3,000-meter steeplechase. She was also tabbed as CAA Track and Field Athlete of the Year, JMU Female Athlete of the Year and more.

DeFrancesco's career began in style with a third place finish in the 5,000-meter run at the 2000 CAA Championships and flourished from there. She became a NCAA provisional qualifier, CAA Champion and 10th-place finisher at the USA Track & Field Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2000-01 as a sophomore.

At the time of her graduation, DeFrancesco held the JMU record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:56.07), the 5,000-meter run (16:03.97), was on three of the top six all-time JMU 6,000-meter relay teams, was fourth in the indoor mile (4:53.02), second in the 3,000-meter run (9:40.10 and held the 5,000-meter indoor record (16:22.64).

She has since been named to the CAA Silver Anniversary Team and will be inducted into the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame alongside four other distinguished former student-athletes.

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