The Gophers look to improve upon last year's 27th-place finish.
2012 • Junior Season: The Gophers' fifth finisher (178th overall) at the NCAA Championships with a time of 21:21.3 • earned All-Midwest Region honors by finishing 20th (third on the team) at the region meet (21:23.12) • finished 35th (fourth on the team) at the Big Ten Championships (21:12.9) • posted her fastest time of the season at the Wisconsin adidas Invite (141st, 21:02) • finished 18th at the Griak Invitational • raced at seven meets overall • Academic All-Big Ten.
2011 • Sophomore Season: Competed in seven meets • second runner for Minnesota at the 2011 NCAA Championships, running 21:12 • earned a role on the Gophers' Midwest Regional squad, placing twelfth overall and second on the team with a time of 21:29.12 • raced the third-best time for the Gophers at the Big Ten Championships and placed 26th overall with a season-best time of 20:59 • ran a 21:24 at the Wisconsin Adidas 6K, finishing third on the team • placed fifth on the team and sixth overall with a 17:48.0 race at the SDSU Invite • ran Minnesota's second-best time at the Roy Griak Invitational with a 21:24.40 • earned second-place team and overall honors at the Oz Memorial, running 22:21.35
2010 • Freshman Season: Minnesota's second finisher at the NCAA Championships • posted her best time of 20:52.6 at the Big Ten Championships, where she finished 29th overall and fourth among Gophers • named the team's Freshman of the Year • letterwinner.
High School: A 2010 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School • high school coach was Fr. Jim Kirby • 2008 Iowa Class 4A cross country state champion • helped her 4x800m relay team to a state title in 2010 • earned all-state honors in both cross country and track all four years of high school • finished fourth at the 2009 Nike Cross Nationals (17:55.80) • finished ninth at the 2009 Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals (17:44) • also a two-time letterwinner in softball • Presidential Honor Roll award recipient • a National Honor Society member.
Personal: Born October 20, 1991 • intends to major in sport management • daughter of Jerry and Mac Decker • has two older siblings, Ryan and Lynndi, and a younger brother, Cole • Cole runs at Central College in Iowa • sister Lynndi played softball for Minnesota State (2004-08) • uncle Jeff Decker ran cross country and track for Loras College (1997-01) • enjoys watching "Modern Family," grilling out, and painting.
