AS A FRESHMAN: Ran in three meets for the Irish during the cross country season … opened the year at the 5K Crusader Invitational before placing 19th out of 104 runners in the JV 5K race at the National Catholic Championship (20:18.7) … closed out the year by running in the JV 5K race at the Notre Dame Invitational … competed in two meets for the Irish … ran the 1,500m at the Polytan Invitational … posted a season-best time of 5:13.40 in the 1,500m at the Spartan Invitational.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL: Graduated from Mishawaka High School in the spring of 2012 … participated in track & field and cross country, earning eight varsity letters … assisted teammates to a state qualification in the 4x800m relay (2010, 2011) … was a member of the 4x800m sectional championship team (2010, 2011) … won the 1,600m run at the sectional meet … achieved the sportsmanship award in cross-country (2010, 2011) and the Frank M. Steele Mental Attitude Award in track (2011, 2012) … named to the National Honor Society … participated in the student newspaper, church choirs and Junior Kiwanis … born to Timothy and LeAnn Balko in Mishawaka, Ind. … has a younger brother, Joshua … full name is Jessica Marie Balko.