(Wednesday, January 25; Sioux Center, Iowa) Jennifer Burtis has announced her intention to attend Dordt and join the Defender cross country and track and field program. She competed for Owatonna  High School (Minnesota).

"Jennifer is a great addition to our cross country and track and field programs.  She is a strong student and disciplined runner. Her faith is important to her and she is a wonderful fit for Dordt University, and our program.  I look forward to working with Jennifer for the next four years," said Dordt cross country head coach and assistant track and field coach Nate Wolf.

Burtis has personal bests of 1:06 in the 400 meters; 2:35 in the 800 meters, 6:00 in the 1600 and 13:08 in the 3200.  She has a personal best of 20:33 on a 5,000 meter cross country course. Burtis earned a total of nine varsity letters while running for Owatonna and earned all-conference honorable mention notice.

"I chose Dordt University because of the Christian atmosphere. When I visited I loved how welcoming everyone was and how at home I felt. They have a great agriculture program for my intended major. The cross country team is very welcoming to everyone and made me feel part of the team when I visited." said Burtis.

Jaci is the daughter of Jeff and Michelle Burtis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She plans to study agriculture.  

Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive Christian college rooted in the Reformed tradition. The Defender athletic program is a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA).?   

U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review all list Dordt on their best colleges lists. Dordt is home to approximately 1,500 students.