Marla Hiebert Signs National Letter-of-Intent with ENMU Women's Cross Country Team

PORTALES, N.M. — Cross country runner Marla Hiebert from New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, N.M., has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to run for the Eastern New Mexico University women’s cross country team, ENMU Head Coach Joel McMullen announced today. Hiebert, who previously attended Carlsbad HS in Carlsbad, N.M., will be a junior for the Zias during the 2006-07 academic year.

McMullen, in an effort to restore the ENMU cross country program to national prominence, has recruited to add depth to Eastern’s strong core of student-athletes on the men’s and women’s cross country teams. He has focused primarily on talented runners throughout New Mexico.

The ENMU women’s cross country squad, with only one senior on the team this past fall, finished seventh out of 12 teams at the Lone Star Conference Championships. The Zias earned Academic All-American status for their efforts in the classroom. ENMU was one of only three teams in the LSC to receive the award.

“We are excited about having Marla join us next fall,” McMullen said. “She will bring priceless experience and will add good depth to our squad.”

Hiebert, 5’5”, competed in cross country for five seasons and in track and field for four years at Carlsbad HS. She qualified for the State Meet in cross country and ran distance events on the track and field team. She was a member of the choir at CHS for four years and was selected to the All-State Choir.

At New Mexico JC, Hiebert qualified for the NJCAA National Cross Country Meet as a freshman. She ran cross country for two seasons and also participated in track and field as a distance runner. She recently graduated from NMJC with an Associate of Arts degree in Vocal Performance.