Osborne will run for MSU Billings

Columbia Falls High School senior Jinise Osborne will run track and cross-country on a scholarship at Montana State University-Billings starting next fall.

The NCAA Division II Yellowjackets are coached by Dave Coppock, a former cross-country and track runner at the University of Northern Iowa and University of Montana. Coppock has produced 16 All-Conference and three NCAA All-Region runners.

“She has everything we’re looking for as a student-athlete,” he said of Osborne. “She’ll add a lot to our team, not just as an athlete. She’s focused and intelligent.”

Osborne holds the Columbia Falls High School record in the 3,200 meters with a time of 11:29 and the school record in cross country with a time of 19:19.

“I’m really excited,” Osborne said. “I love to run. I was going to run after high school anyway. I might as well go to a school where I get a scholarship to run.”

Osborne is also one of the top academic students in the class of 2012, with a weighted grade point average of 4.292.

With academic and sports scholarships combined, Osborne will basically have an expense-free college experience.

She plans to major in health and human performance in the pre-physical therapy program.