William Jewell College Athletics

Ajok Deng is one of the greatest success stories in William Jewell Athletics history. After coming to the United States from her home in Sudan, she transferred to Jewell from Johnson County Community College and joined cross country team after never competing in the sport. Despite her lack of experience, she was a natural and enjoyed immediate success. She made her debut with a second-place mark at the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Open and was selected the Heart of America Runner of the Week in October of 2010 after taking fifth at the Graceland Invitational and defeating all NAIA runners in attendance. She became the individual Heart of America Conference champion in her first season and followed that feat by qualifying for the NAIA Cross Country National Championships and became the first black woman in school history to earn All-America first team honors after finishing 22^nd with a time of 18:23. In the spring of 2011, she competed with the track and field team, winning individual Heart of America championships in the 5000 meters, 3000 meters and mile in the indoor competitions as well as the 1500 meters and 10,000 meters during the outdoor season.