Willis and the 4x400m relay team added runner-up finishes.
Career Highlights: Seventh all-time in the outdoor 5,000m at 16:31.17 • seventh all-time in the indoor 3,000m at 9:29.86.
2012 Season - Indoor: Placed seventh in the Jack Johnson Classic mile (4:59.17) • ran 4:58.28 in the Iowa State Classic mile, good for seventh place • took fourth at the Northwest Open 3000 meters (10:12.65).
2011 Season-Indoor:placed second in the 1,000m at the Meyo Inv. (2:49.90) • finished fourth in the 3,000m at the Iowa State Classic with a time of 9:29.86 • placed eighth at the Big Ten championships (9:38.96) in the 3,000m.Outdoor:best time in the 5,000m came at the Mt. Sac Open where she ran a 16:31.17 • finished 15th at the Big Ten championships (16:55.76) • qualified for the NCAA West Prelims in the 5,000m.
2010 Season:Redshirted the indoor and outdoor seasons.
High School:A 2009 graduate of Montevideo High School · high school coach was Sue Heikes · 2008 and 2009 Minnesota Division 1 state champion in the 800 meters · 800m state runner-up in 2007 · four-time all-state track honoree · state runner-up in 1,600m as a senior (5:10.38) · ran high school best of 2:14.42 in 800 meters · did not compete in cross country · five-time letterwinner in track and swimming · also participated in band, choir and speech · a member of the National Honor Society.
Personal:Born July 20, 1990 · given name is Melissa ·majoring in Family Social Science · daughter of Lee and Sue Varpness · has brothers Jameson and Joe and sister Mollie · enjoys cooking, reading and spending time at the lake.
