University of Wyoming Athletics

2009-10... Francis, a letterwinner, should be one of the senior leaders for the Cowgirls this year, and will look to improve on her times from last season. She led the team at the Rocky Mountain Shootout, finishing 21st with a time of 22:48, and added a 36th-place finish at the Mountain West Championships. She was second among Wyoming runners at NCAA Regionals, Her time of 23:15 was good for 95th. Francis also set the top marks for the Cowgirls for the year in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. Her academic honors were numerous, as well. She was on the UW President's Honor Roll, Academic All-MWC team and was in the UW Honors program.

2008-09... While at Johnson County Community College she was a 10-time NJCAA All-American while also earning All-Region and All-Conference honors. In 2008, she finished 16th at the NJCAA National Cross Country Championships. She also placed fourth at the NJCAA National Half Marathon Championships, which helped propel her team to first place. Academically, she was named the Women's Cross Country and Track Academic Athlete of the Year.

Personal... Francis was born on March 14, in Kansas City, Mo., to her parents Veva and Dwight Gipson. She intends to major in criminal justice and hopes to become a lawyer.

Gipson's Best:
1,500m - 5:01
1-Mile - 5:34
3,000m - 10:45
5,000m - 18:14.16
10,000m - 38:49.79