Former McMurry athlete enjoys final run at St. Edwards

Marc David
Special to the Abilene Reporter-News
Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News McMurry's Kirsten DeFrance finishes ahead of the pack to win her heat in the women's 800m during the American Southwest Conference track and field championships on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at McMurry's Wilford Moore Stadium.

AUSTIN – Kirsten DeFrance had enough of running after her senior season at Midland Christian High — at least that was her mindset.

It changed when her parents told her she could either attend Texas-Permian Basin or accept the scholarship that then-Division II McMurry offered. Reluctantly, after some persuasion from McMurry coach David Chandler, DeFrance chose Abilene over staying close to home.

While her first few weeks on campus brought some tears and much what-am-I-doing-here introspection, it turned out to be a decision that DeFrance says produced some of the best experiences of her life. After a standout running career at McMurry that included her opting to sit out her freshman season in cross country, the 5-foot-3 DeFrance again was persuaded by the persistent Chandler, now the head coach at St. Edward’s University, to become a graduate student.

Now pursuing her MBA, DeFrance completed a standout season for the Hilltoppers as their No. 2 runner. A team that Chandler initially hoped would finish in the top three in the Heartland Conference and in the top 20 in a region he says is the best in the country, finished second in the Heartland Conference and a school-best 12th in the region. DeFrance, whose best time in the 6-kilometer race is 22 minutes, 47.2 seconds, was eighth in the Heartland Conference meet and 43rd in the region.

“What I liked about Kirsten (from the start) was that she brings strong academics and was obviously a strong runner,” Chandler said. “When you find someone that reliable you see if you can get her to join you. I was hoping she would run cross country her freshman season. I was happy to have her with us this fall.”

DeFrance has enjoyed the Austin experience so much that she speaks about making it her home base after school. She has no running plans, but said that is subject to change if her parents, Ron and Debbie DeFrance, follow through on their desire to compete in a half marathon. In that case, DeFrance is likely to join them.

"It was rough those first couple of years at McMurry, but I kept improving," said DeFrance, one of the Division II recruits who was able to keep her athletic scholarship for two years after the university announced it was returning to D-III. "Running was a means to an end. It got me to McMurry and got me here. I'm not that competitive but I enjoy my teammates and that it (running) kept me fit."

DeFrance lit up as she spoke about her season at St. Edward's. The transition went as smoothly as anyone could reasonably expect.

"I was so proud of the team," said DeFrance, an honors student at McMurry where she earned a business degree. "We accomplished more than we thought we could at the beginning of the season. I was happy at what I achieved and even more proud of the others. It was a great experience."

It was just another great experience she would have missed out on had she not discovered that she had speed and stamina during high school at Midland Christian. Going forward, she doesn't know what the future holds only that she will remain active.

"Maybe I'll be a ballroom dancer," she said smiling.