IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
Christine (Wheeler) Schrott earned All-America honors in cross country while running for IUP and won a pair of PSAC championships in track, where she set numerous school records.
Schrott, who had excelled in both sports at Indiana High School, quickly made her mark at IUP, qualifying for cross country nationals as a freshman in 1986. A year later, she placed fifth in the PSAC meet and seventh at regionals. Coach Ed Fry’s team reigned as PSAC champions both seasons.
Schrott saved her best performances for last, finishing second at the PSAC meet in 1989, fourth at regionals and then sixth at the NCAA Division II meet in East Stroudsburg to earn All-America honors.
She earned accolades in track, too. Schrott won the PSAC 3,000-meter title in 1989 and the 5,000 in 1990, having set school records in both. Points she earned during her career helped IUP finish second as a team at the conference meet in 1987, first in 1988 and third in 1989.
Schrott qualified for nationals in the 5,000 in 1990, but she had to drop out during the race due to hamstring and knee injuries.
Schrott graduated from IUP in 1990 with a degree in physical education and sport. She earned a master’s degree in sport management from Old Dominion University in 1991.
Still active as a recreational runner, Schrott is a self-employed Pilates and yoga instructor in Fernandina Beach, Fla. She and her husband, 1990 IUP grad David Schrott—who also competed in track and field at his alma mater, under coach Jim Wooding—reside in Fernandina Beach. They have three children: Nicholas, 25; Julia, 23; and JT, 20.
Personal Reflection:
What an incredible honor to be inducted into the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame. It came as a complete surprise, and I am incredibly humbled and grateful. My days at IUP were some of my most cherished times, both as a student and an athlete.
As a local Indiana girl, I admired the athletes at IUP, especially the runners, not ever thinking I would run in their footsteps. If it wasn’t for Coach Fry “the Win,” I might have not run at IUP. He convinced me that I could become a great collegiate runner. Through his encouragement and training, he transformed me as a runner and supported me in every way. He was always there with a stopwatch or a snow shovel to get you to run your best.
Then there were my teammates — the ones that are there with you for every mile you run. Pushing you to go harder and faster and lifting you up when things get rough. They were my teammates on and off the track — friends who would always be there for you in every way. I couldn’t have gotten here without you. Some of my best memories are the hours we spent traveling to meets and just having fun.
And to my sister and endless teammate Tina — here’s to all the miles we have logged together … and more to come. Run TAC, that is our name. Thank you to my husband, Dave, IUP track and field high jumper/triple jumper/long jumper. I never could have imagined, back in 1987 when we met training in the weight room, where we would be today. Thanks for your endless support then and all the years since.
And to my parents, thank you for teaching me strength and to believe in myself. Thank you for encouraging me through the years and helping me to realize that I can run just as fast as the boys! When I think about my time living in Indiana and being a part of IUP athletics, I am filled with such wonderful memories and experiences and some of the best miles of my life.
