Kathleen (Monaghan) Jorgenson (2008) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Kathleen (Monaghan) Jorgenson

Induction:
2008
Class:
1991

Kathleen Jorgenson Women’s Track and Cross Country, 1986-91 Years at MSU: 1986-91 Honors: 11-time All-Big Sky 11-time Big Sky All-Academic Set MSU record for points in Big Sky competition Hometown: Miles City, Montana “Kathleen is one of the greatest representatives to ever come through the doors at MSU in terms of being a student-athlete.” –MSU coach Dale Kennedy If a statue was commissioned to be placed outside of the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in honor of Montana State student-athletes, Kathleen Monaghan Jorgenson could easily be the sculptors’ model. Monaghan, a graduate of Custer County High School in Miles City, was part of the MSU Track and Field/Cross Country seen from 1986-91. During her tenure with the Bobcats, she earned 11 All-Big Sky Conference Academic kudos. “Kathleen is one of the greatest representatives to ever come through the doors at Montana State University in terms of being a student-athlete,” said MSU track and field/cross county head coach Dale Kennedy, who has seen a lot of individuals come and go during his 28 seasons at MSU. Monaghan is the only cross country performer, male or female, to be named All-Big Sky Conference on four occasions in Montana State history. Her highest finish at the Big Sky meet came in 989 with a fourth place showing. That same season, she qualified for the NCAA National Cross Country Championships – where she placed 55th overall. In addition, Monaghan was a member of the 1986 Big Sky Conference Championship team. Her indoor track and field resume includes winning the 988 Big Sky title at the 3000-meters. She finished fourth at the 1990 Big Sky meet at 3000 and 5000-meters. “The thing you need to remember about Kathleen is that she was a tremendous team player,” Kennedy said. “We could’ve just had her run one race, and she would have been the best in the conference; however, she doubled and tripled up in the distance races to score more points for her team.” Monaghan left Montana State as MSU all-time point scorer in Big Sky Conference championship meets, until it was broken recently by Lacy Hinzpeter. And, unlike Hinzpeter, Monaghan was shorted a season in indoor track and field because it was not a Big Sky Conferences sport at the time. “Kathleen had an incredible career,” Kennedy said. “She was very devoted and committed to her sport.” In the classroom, Monaghan earned her degree in electrical engineering, where she was named the department’s student of the year. She went on to medical school and is currently an orthopedic surgeon. Along with her husband Jim, the couple and there two children, Nathan and Natalie, reside in Duluth, Minnesota.