KENOSHA, Wis. - From teammates to competitors, Jessica Monson (Lamp), Naomi Fulton (Bong) and Jessica Watychowicz have qualified to compete for a spot on the United States Olympic Marathon team. Two of the three, Monson and Fulton, are headed to Atlanta, Ga., for the Olympic Marathon Trials taking place this Saturday, Feb. 29 at Centennial Olympic Park. The competition will start at 11 a.m. CT, and is being broadcasted on NBC across the country.
 
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All three were standouts for the Rangers during their time at Parkside, racking up a plethora of All-Conference and All-American awards:
 
Jessica Monson (2005-09)
Collegiate Honors:

• 14x NCAA Division II All-American
  • 7x Indoor Track & Field All-American
  • 4x Outdoor Track & Field All-American
  • 3x Cross Country All-American (Highest Finish & Highest in Program History - 5th Place)
• 16x NCAA National Qualifier
• 2x Outdoor Track & Field National Runner Up in the 1,500-meters
• 3x All-GLVC Cross Country
• 2x GLVC Cross Country Champion
• 11x GLVC Track & Field Champion
  • 2009 (Indoor – 800 & DMR) (Outdoor - 1500)
  • 2008 (Indoor - 800)* Current Conference Meet Record (Outdoor – 800 & 1,500 meters)
  • 2007 (Indoor - Mile & 800) (Outdoor - 800)
  • 2006 (Indoor - 800) (Outdoor - 800)
• 1x GLVC Track & Field Runner Up
  • 2008 (Indoors – Mile)
• 4x All-GLVC Indoor Track & Field
• 4x All-GLVC Outdoor Track & Field
• 4 School records (3 Indoor/ 1 Outdoor (NCAA Championship Events Only)
• 3x Parkside Female Athlete of the Year
• Parkside Career Achievement Winner

 
Post College Highlights:

• 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier
• 23rd place overall female at Houston Marathon
• Marathon PR - 2:42:15

Naomi Fulton (2004-08)
Collegiate Honors:

• 9x NCAA Division II All-American
  • 5x Indoor Track & Field All-American
  • 3x Outdoor Track & Field All-American
  • 1x Cross Country All-American
• 12x NCAA National Qualifier
• 3x Cross Country All-GLVC
• 3x All-GLVC Indoor Track & Field
• 3x All-GLVC Outdoor Track & Field
• 2x GLVC Track & Field Champion
  • 2008 (Indoor – Mile)
  • 2006 (Indoor - Mile)
• 7x GLVC Runner Up
  • 2007 (Indoor - 1 mile & 800 meters) (Outdoor - 1,500 meters)
  • 2006 (Indoor - 800 meters) (Outdoor - 1,500 meters)
  • 2005 (Indoor – 800 meters) (Outdoor - 1,500 meters)
• UWP Career Achievement Winner
• 1x UWP Female Athlete of the Year

 
Post-College Highlights:

• 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier
• 18th Overall Female Finisher at 2018 Boston Marathon
• Marathon PR - 2:40:58

 
Jessica Watychowicz (2009-14)
Collegiate Honors:

• 2x NCAA All American DII
  • 1x NCAA Cross Country All-American (2012)
  • 1x NCAA Outdoor (2014 - 10,000 meters)
• NCAA DII Runner Up 10,000m
• 3x GLVC Track & Field Champion
  • 2014 (Outdoor - 10,000 meters) *Current Conference Meet Record
  • 2013 (Indoor - 3,000 meters) *Former Conference Meet Record
  • 2012 (Outdoor - 5,000 meters)
• 2x All-GLVC Cross Country
• 4x All-GLVC Indoor Track & Field
• 2x All-GLVC Outdoor Track & Field
• 2014 GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
• 7x NCAA National Qualifier
• Former school record holder in the Indoor 5,000 meters
• Parkside Career Achievement Winner
• 1x Parkside Female Athlete of the Year

 
Post-College Highlights:

• 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier
• 2019 USATF 10,000m finalist
• Half Marathon PR - 1:12:35

 
Jessica Monson and her husband Josh, along with their daughters Alivia and Josh, currently reside in Wheatland, Wis. She works at Westosha Central High School as the school nurse and head cross country coach. Monson qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials after competing at the 2019 Houston Marathon.
 
"This was a bucket list item for me in my running career. God has truly blessed me with a great running career," said Monson. "It has brought me so much joy and memories that will last a lifetime. I am looking forward to the next stage of my life that consists of a little more balance between my running and personal life."
 
"Running has been a predominant focus for almost two decades," she continued. "This journey would have never happened without my wonderful support system of my parents, husband, Coach DeWitt, family, and friends."
 
Naomi and her husband, along with their children Quinn and Amelia, currently reside in Hartland, Wis. Fulton is a middle school math teacher at Christian Education Leadership Academy. In her recent running, she placed as the 18^th overall female in the 2018 Boston Marathon, and qualified after a PR (2:40:57) in the 2018 Chicago Marathon.

"I coach cross country and running has always been a big part of my life," Fulton said. "I am blessed to have such a supportive family in giving me the time to pursue my dream of qualifying for trials. Also, Coach DeWitt continued to work with me throughout the years. It's been such a journey and I have tried to enjoy every moment."
 
Current Head Coach Nick Maas on the Pair
"While I haven't had the opportunity to meet any of the three, it's pretty awesome having former Rangers competing at such a high level. It's an amazing opportunity to be on the line for a chance at the Olympics. Runners will work their whole lives to get a chance to run in the trials and make their dreams a reality. To have two of our own accomplish this feet is extra special for us here at Parkside. I think the timing is especially perfect as we head into our indoor conference championships as well this weekend. It shows the young men and women in our program that anything is possible. I wish Jessica and Naomi the very best and will be rooting for them this weekend! GO RANGERS!!!"
 
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