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One of the top distance runners in West Virginia Conference history, Donald Jernigan was a major force on the track and cross country trails during the mid-1970s. He was a 4-time first-team All-WVIAC honoree in both track and cross country who won multiple individual conference titles in both sports. Jernigan broke numerous stadium records across the state in the 2-mile, 3-mile and 6-mile runs while setting school records in multiple events.
Jernigan also made his mark on the national stage. He was No. 2 in the nation (NAIA) in the 6-mile run in 1975 with a time of 29:33. He also ranked among the top 15 nationally in the 3-mile run with a clocking of 14:05. Jernigan qualified to compete at the NAIA national championship meets in cross country and track, finishing 31st overall in the 1974 cross country meet at Salina, Kan. In 1975, he finished sixth in the West Virginia National Outdoor Hall of Fame Track Classic's 2-mile run.
The Mentor, Ohio native is no stranger to Halls of Fame. He was inducted into the Mentor High School Hall of Fame in 2009 and retired after nearly four decades as a teacher in the Lee County (Fla.) school system.
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