HOUSTON, TEXAS—Former SUNY Potsdam cross country runner Jodie Schoppmann Robertson '06 will compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team at the Olympic Trials Marathon in Houston on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Robertson, an All-American runner with the Bears, is one of 227 runners that will vie for three spots on the Olympic squad. She qualified for the trials marathon after posting a course-record time of 2:42:54 at the Long Island Marathon back on May 1.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Trials and run with the best in the nation,” said Robertson. I'm looking forward to competing and hopefully running a personal best.”

After earning All-American honors at the 2004 NCAA Division III Championships, Roberston battled through injuries that severely limited her running over the next three years. Healthy again by the fall of 2008, she continued competition after graduating from Potsdam.

Just under two months prior to qualifying for the Olympic Trials, Robertson won the USA Track & Field 50-kilometer Road Championships with a course-record time of 3:20:12 at Caumsett State Historic Park in Lloyd Neck, N.Y.

After qualifying for the trials, Robertson fought to overcome injury again. 

“An injury kept me from running from June-September, but I'm glad to be able to toe the line healthy Saturday,” Robertson said. “I've made some adjustments to my training and have been able to put in a lot more consistent and quality running than in the past.”

Robertson, an elementary music teacher and Long Island native, graduated from SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of music with a degree in music education and performance in 2006. She currently resides in Albany with her husband Aaron '02, another former Bears runner. Robertson was inducted into the Bears Hall of Fame last July.

Bears fans and alumni can watch Robertson compete for a trip to the 2012 Olympics in London during NBC's broadcast from 3-5 p.m. on Jan. 14.