ROGERS — Deirdre Sheets leaves Rogers Heritage as one of the most decorated cross country runners in the school's short history. It's no wonder she will continue her running career in college.
Sheets signed a letter of intent to run cross country at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., at a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
The senior helped lead the Lady War Eagles to the first state cross country title last season and helped them to a runner-up finish this season.
Heritage cross country coach Jeff Shaw said Sheets' honors are plentiful. She earned all-state honors three times in cross country and twice in track and field. Sheets was a four-year all-conference selection in cross country and earned the honor three times in track.
She also holds the school record indoors and outdoors in the mile and two-mile runs. Sheets is also part of the school record relay teams in the 4x800 both indoors and outdoors, the 4x400 indoors and distance medley relay.
"She was the leader the last couple of years and no doubt one of the top runners in the state this year," Shaw said. "She finished in the top five in the state once. We probably wouldn't have won a state championship without her. We're very happy she came out and ran for Heritage."
Sheets chose the Catholic liberal arts school, which competes at the NCAA Division II level, over Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, Tenn., Central Arkansas and Marymount University in Arlington, Va.
"It's Catholic and that was important to me and I really liked the camps, the team and the town," Sheets said.
Sports on 03/20/2014