Lister not afraid to go extra mile

It's a long way between the wooded trails of South Jefferson and the NCAA cross-country championship course in Terre Haute, Ind.

Then again, Nichole Lister has never had much trouble covering long distances.

On Sept. 16, 2000, Lister — competing as an eighth-grader — participated in her first varsity cross-country race. She won the South Jefferson Invitational that day, finishing in 19 minutes, 41 seconds, shattering the course record by 14 seconds.

After that, she was off and running.

While she dominated Frontier League and Section 3 competition for most of the rest of her running career at South Jefferson, Lister's highlights came against the state's — and nation's — best.

In 2003, she won the state Class C cross-country title, crossing the finish line more than 44 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor. Lister followed that up with the 2004 Class B championship, finishing comfortably ahead once again. Her margin of victory in that race was estimated at more than 200 yards.

Also in 2004, Lister took on the country's elite at the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships in San Diego. She placed 12th, completing a 5-kilometer course in 18:22.

Lister also owns a pair of state outdoor track titles. In 2005, she was the state Division II champ in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter events.

After graduating as South Jefferson's valedictorian in 2005, Lister moved on to Boston College, where she's about to begin her senior season with the Eagles' cross country squad.

She has competed in the last three NCAA championship meets in Terre Haute. She placed 90th individually in 2007, 181st in 2006, and 157th in 2005.

Last season, she served as a team captain.

Lister, 21, also competes in indoor and outdoor track for the Eagles. She is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences at BC.

Sisters Jennifer, Kristin, Melissa and Jessica also ran for South Jefferson.

To read about previous selections to the Times' list of The North Country's Greatest 100 Athletes of All time, log on to www.watertowndailytimes.com