Grinnell College Athletics

Shavaun Adams '87-dominated the middle-distance running events in three sports during her Grinnell career. As the first female Grinnell harrier to qualify for cross country nationals, Shavaun was the leading member of the women's cross country team in the mid-'80s. During her sophomore and junior season she finished first in nine meets, including the conference championships. Her individual titles helped her team win back-to-back league titles in 1984 and 1985. As a junior she placed fourth at regionals and 39th at nationals. Adams was twice voted most valuable runner and selected as a captain her senior year. Shavaun's talents extended beyond the open roads of the cross country 5K, as is evidenced by the school records she set in indoor and outdoor track. As a rookie Shavaun claimed the conference title in the indoor 1,500 and was a member of he championship 3,200 relay squad. Voted the team's most valuable runner, Adams set school marks in the outdoor 1,500 and 3,000. Her prowess continued into her sophomore year when she set a Grinnell mark in the indoor 3,000 and helped to better the 3,200 relay time. The final record of Shavaun's career came as a senior when she finished the outdoor 3,000 in 10:36.6. Adams currently works as an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. She continues to find time to pursue her passion for running and has completed three marathons.