University of Minnesota Athletics
Jody Eder Zdechlik - M Club Hall of Fame
Jody Eder Zdechlik
Women’s Cross Country, 1982-85
Women’s Track & Field, 1982-85
HOF Class of 2000
One of the University of Minnesota’s best-ever runners, Jody Eder Zdechlik was a four-time track and field All-American and two-time cross country All-American.
Eder was the first female Gopher student-athlete to qualify in the same year for the cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field championships. She was also the first runner in Minnesota women’s cross country history to earn all-region honors in four consecutive years.
Her 5,000 meter cross country time of 16:32.6 at the 1984 regional set a longstanding school record. At her graduation she also held school records for the indoor 1000, 1500 and mile run, and the outdoor 1500, 3000 and 4 x 800 relay.
In 1983, Eder led Minnesota to its first appearance at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, where she placed 35th and the team placed tenth. She won the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1986 for athletic and academic achievement.