DLN ALL-AREA: Henderson’s Mulhern is top runner for third straight year, with another still to come

West Chester Henderson junior Jenna Mulhern, winner of the Daily Local News All-Area Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award for the third year in a row, didn’t take up the sport until seventh grade.

“I started out as a swimmer when I was about 5 years old, and swam competitively for seven years,” said Mulhern. “I started running just as cross training for swimming. I definitely did not love it at first. I decided to do cross country in seventh grade for cross training to swimming and that’s when I really started to enjoy it. I ended up quitting swimming later that year and focusing all my attention on running.”

Mulhern was a quick study — as a freshman, she finished first at the PIAA Class 3A cross country championships. The following year, she placed third at states.

The 2020 cross country season was a different slice of cake, as the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to cancel the entire fall campaign, but despite the challenges, Mulhern won the Ches-Mont Championship (for the third consecutive year), finished first at districts, and placed sixth at States.

“COVID-19 definitely posed some challenges to training this past spring, summer and fall,” said Mulhern. “In the spring, training was all on my own. My coach sent out a training plan and it was up to me to follow it as best as I could. It was hard, but I got in a really good training block. The summer was great because we were able to train in small groups. It was very nice to get to run with my teammates. In the fall we still had to keep our group limited but I was so grateful that I could have a training group to push me.”

At the 2020 Ches-Mont Championships at Unionville High School, Mulhern’s winning time of 18:55.3 was 49 seconds faster than the second-place finisher.

Then at the District 1 Championships, Mulhern posted a clocking of 18:18.20, more than a minute faster than the runner-up, Claire Zubey of Owen J. Roberts (19:19.70).

“It was super windy and cold on the day of Districts,” said Mulhern. “My plan was to just go out relaxed and run a smart race. States was only five days after Districts, so I wanted to make sure I conserved enough energy for that. It was a strong race but I wouldn’t say it was my best race because I had a lot more in me.”

The West Chester Henderson girls finished first at the team competition at the District 1 girls meet, and Mulhern’s favorite memory of the day was watching teammate Liesl Scherrer achieve a strong third-place finish.

“My most vivid memory was watching Liesl coming down the final stretch towards the finish line,” said Mulhern. “She has improved so much this season and I was so happy for her.”

The 2020 PIAA 3A state championships were a mixed bag for Mulhern. She finished a disappointing (for her) sixth, but enjoyed seeing the Henderson girls place third in the team competition.

“The [2020] state meet was a tough day,” said Mulhern. “It was very weird having the race split up into four different heats. My biggest competition was not in my heat so I did not know how fast I would have to run to win. Because of that, I decided to go out really hard.

“I felt great until about 400 meters to go. My legs all of the sudden went out and I collapsed. It was a struggle to the finish line. That was really frustrating for me because I had been working really hard all season just for something to go wrong.

“What made the day better was watching my teammates succeed. They all ran great and we were able to place third as a team. They have all been working so hard since the spring and it was awesome seeing that pay off for them.”

Currently, Mulhern is working most on her finishing kick.

“The kick at the end of the race is so important and I have been trying to improve my speed so I can have a faster kick,” said Mulhern.

The Henderson junior’s favorite running venue is Singer Farms.

“I love to run there – it’s a two mile grass loop that has some serious hills,” said Mulhern. “My team goes there once a week for a workout and it is always a hard day. It’s not always fun while you’re there but once you’re done you know that you got in a great day of training. I think a lot of Henderson’s success in cross country comes from training at Singer.”

Off the cross country trails, Mulhern is a member of Team CMMD Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit charity and fundraising club for cancer patients in the area. She is also part of a Red Cross Club. While she has not committed to a college yet or decided on a future college major, she is thinking about possibly majoring in nutrition or exercise science.

Fun facts – Jenna Mulhern

Favorite book: We Were Liars.

Favorite author: J.K Rowling.

Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead.

Favorite movie: Get Out.

Favorite athlete: Shalane Flanagan.

Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: “Levitating by Dua Lipa is one of my favorite pre meet songs. My teammates and I blast it before a race.”

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Disney World.

Favorite pre-meet meal: Salmon, rice and potatoes.

Favorite running shoe: “I run in Brooks. I got fitted at the Chester County Running Store when I first got into serious training and the Brooks Ravennas were the right fit for me. They provide just enough support without being too heavy.”

Person I most admire, and why: “It is hard to pick someone that I admire most because there are a lot of influential people in my life. I would have to say that I admire my teammates the most. They are the hardest working people I know. Every day they put in 100 percent no matter what. I would not be as successful without them because they motivate me to push myself in every practice and race that we have.”

Family members: parents Patrick and Anne, sister Kira, brother Nate.