By Joe Lemire, Daily News-Record

Kendra Nissley traveled halfway around the world to rediscover her love of the sport she competed in every day back in the United States.

The junior standout at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ lived the past year in Germany to fulfill an 91¶ÌÊÓƵ requirement. While studying in Marsburg, Nissley realized how much she missed running � something she has done competitively since seventh grade � and saw a notice for a half-marathon scheduled for mid-July.

She rather spontaneously decided to begin training.

The Royals� top runner as a freshman — she finished 54th in the 2003 NCAA Division III Championships � Nissley missed the competition and found training to run 13 miles to be good inspiration.

"At first, it was hard to figure out my routine, but then last summer I decided to do a half-marathon, and that structured my running a bit more," said Nissley, who was named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Cross Country Runner of the Week on Monday. "I�m more of a competitive runner. I do it just for fun, but I need that goal, too, to work toward."

The experience, she said, was more than she could have expected and not just because she finished in 1 hour, 39 minutes and 5.6 seconds, which was good enough for fifth place among all women and for second in her age group.

"It was the most fun I�ve had running, like, ever," she said. "I have fun running cross country, but the race isn�t long enough. For 13 miles, just to be running is the most wonderful thing in the world."

For the first half of Nissely�s year abroad, she spent six months in Heuchlingen, as part of the Brethren Colleges Abroad program. A language aficionado, Nissley is majoring in German but also is working toward a second major in justice, peace and conflict studies.

Following her time in Heuchlingen, Nissely moved to Marburg, where she studied at Philipps University.

She is now back at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ for her junior year and has quickly readjusted to competitive running, taking first place by more than 13 seconds in this last weekend�s Blue Marlin Invitational at Virginia Wesleyan College.

Royals coach , in his 16th season at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, is glad to have her back and knows how important the school�s cross-cultural experiences can be in the education of his runners.

"We don�t have many students who come purely for a sport," Zook said. "There is something larger that 91¶ÌÊÓƵ is about than just the athletic program. Certainly, athletics is a bait, but they�re going to stay here and be committed if they buy into the bigger picture, which is a Christian education."

Zook then joked that Nissely�s re-debut race has made it easy to forget that she was gone.

"Last year as a coach, I lamented to see her go a whole year away," he said, "and then she comes back and wins her first race, so what do I have to regret?"

Zook added that Nissley�s recent recognition is a nice compliment for his ace runner, but that she still has work to do to reach the elite pack of ODAC runners.

"Interestingly enough, this week we�re using a passage from Philippians 4 [for the team devotion] where the apostle Paul says, �Not that I�ve already obtained perfection, but one thing I do, I keep striving on,�" Zook said. "I talked to Kendra just today and said, �That verse is remarkably apt for your situation.�"

Just as she continues to work on her running, so too is she working on formulating her post-college destination. Though she was enchanted with Germany�s natural and urban beauty, she found it difficult to be away from 91¶ÌÊÓƵ both athletically and socially.

"It was really hard," she said. "I went back and forth with [the decision to go] constantly. Even when I was there, I second-guessed it. Now that I�m back here, I feel like I�ve missed a whole year of my friends� lives."

Previously, she had visions of moving to Germany after graduating, but she�s now less sure. Like most college juniors, she�s still not certain what her future plans are.

"Concrete? No," she said with a laugh. "Maybe I�ll get my master�s in German."

Or maybe, like the idea of running a half-marathon, a new challenge will come along that she�ll just have to train toward.

Students majoring in Spanish at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ now have another option for meeting the requirement that they study the language in a foreign country.

Marie S. Morris, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ vice president and undergraduate academic dean, signed a consortium agreement with the University of Cadiz in Spain that will enable students to study there for a semester.

Prior to this agreement, Spanish majors enrolled in the Brethren Colleges Abroad program in Barcelona or took part in 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Latin American to satisfy this graduation requirement.

Cadiz is a smaller city than Barcelona and a better fit with the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ-Mennonite ethos,” said Dr. Morris. “It’s more rural and will allow students to live in local homes during their time there.

“The teachers are impressed with the language experiences and seriousness of our students,” Morris said. “They feel positive about the agreement.”

Moira R. Rogers, associate professor of Spanish at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, initiated the relationship with the University of Cadiz and is overseeing a group of nine 91¶ÌÊÓƵ students who are spending the spring semester there. They are taking a full course load at the 20,000-student university after undergoing an intensive language and culture program. The academic year ends June 15.

According to Dr. Rogers, the region of Andalucia, where Cadiz is located, “offers a unique location for exploring the rich cultural heritage that merges Arab and Spanish cultures.” She noted that the university recently opened an office for “solidary action” that offers opportunities for students to get involved in the local community and integrate their learning into their academic experience.

More information on the Cadiz program opportunities is available by contacting Dr. Rogers at moira.rogers@emu.edu.