Henderson State University Athletics

A  member of the  GSC All-Decade Team, Penny Whelchel ran cross country from 2000 to 2003 at HSU and earned All-GSC honors three-times. During her career Whelchel was Henderson’s top runner winning numerous meets and finishing in the top ten in a host of others. Some of Whelchel’s most noted accomplishments were a third place finish out of 36,000 competitors in the Little Rock Race for the Cure in 2003 as well as a first place finish out of more than 6,000 runners in the Texarkana Race For the Cure. Whelchel also placed in the top 20 at two NCAA South Region Cross Country meets.  Her personal best time for the 5K distance is 17:36.  Currently on staff at HSU as an assistant professor/director of the dietetics program, Whelchel maintained a grade point average of 4.0 through her entire college career, earning a spot on the All-GSC All-Academic Team three times.  Also during her time at HSU, Whelchel competed in many sprint and international-distance triathlons during the summer months.  Her results were good enough to earn her a USA Triathlon sanction to race in the elite athlete category. Since graduating from HSU, Whelchel has continued to run.  She has completed five marathons, most recently the prestigious Boston Marathon in April 2011.   She qualified for Boston with a personal best time of 3:33:00 run at the MemphisMarathon in December 2009.  Over the years, Whelchel has motivated many friends, family members, and students to become runners or to take up her other beloved sport: long-distance cycling.