A NOTE FROM NATIONALS This is the first in a series by Jenny Folgers, one of three Cardinal athletes taking part in this weekend's NCAA Division III Outdoor National championships in Decatur, Ill.

Tuesday, May 25, Decatur, Ill. — Remember when you were young with maybe an ounce of patience, and Christmas was just around the corner?

Remember seeing the presents under the Christmas tree decorated with beautiful ribbons, but no name tags, and you waited — waited to see if one of the gifts belonged to you?

Well, it's definitely far from being Christmas time, but this is the feeling I've had for the past two or three weeks — wait, make that the feeling I've had for the past three years of collegiate track and field.

But why? Aren't the joys of competing and winning races supposed to bring a sense of happiness and pride?

For me, not lately. But let me explain why.

Two or three weeks ago, I provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. I ran a school record time in the 100-meter hurdles, winning the MIAC Championships in 14.86 — a time well below the NCAA provisional standard of 15.10.

Right away, the time ranked me 13th in the nation. But with different Division III hurdlers improving their qualifying times for the past few weeks around the nation, my name and time kept getting bumped down the list!

I'm known to have very little patience, but when the NCAA usually takes 18 competitors, and your name drops to No. 18 in the nation the day before the official competitor list is announced, the wait becomes unbearable — and the chance of making an NCAA appearance seems to drift farther and farther away.

For the past two seasons of collegiate track and field, I was one of those unlucky people who was told, "Sorry, try again next year."

But this season was different.

This past Monday night, I, and my teammates Ellen Koranda (1,500) and Todd Yankowski (decathlon), were finally told our qualifying marks were good enough to compete in the meet.

Tuesday, we found ourselves in a mini-van for over six hours on our way to Decatur, Ill. — my home state, not to mention the home of Millikin University, the host school for this year's national championships.

And now we can breathe again.

The wait has been one of the most stressful waits I've faced in my athletic career, but it was also the most exciting.

Finally, the years of painful workouts, sweat, tears, smiles, hugs, wipeouts on the track and shin splints will pay off — and for what? The simple opportunity to represent Saint Mary's University at the national level.

But as of right now, the three of us are cooped up in the Country Inns and Suites, and the anticipation and excitement of what's to come is becoming overwhelming.

I'll keep you updated.