When freshman Jayne Grebinski arrived at Marquette in late August and began training with the cross country team, she had no inkling she'd be one of the squad's strongest runners.

One month later, she found out she is exactly that, and more — she is the team's No. 1 runner.

"I didn't expect that, not at all," Grebinski said. "Totally surprised. Yeah, it caught me a little off guard."

Certainly not way off guard though, as the poised freshman placed 23rd out of 288 runners at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis on Sept. 23. Marquette's No. 2 finisher, junior Cassie Peller, was almost 29 seconds behind Grebinski, an eternity in a 6K race.

It's not as though Peller is a marginally accomplished runner, either; she helped lead Marquette to a national championship appearance last November. But a month into the season, Grebinski is the clear cut No. 1.

Before the season began, head coach Dave Uhrich said this year's freshman class was "by far" the best recruiting work of his career. If Grebinski continues running on a nationally competitive level, she will end up fulfilling her coach's prophecy.

"The Griak is a big meet with outstanding competition, and for a freshman to go out in those conditions and do what she did really showed me a lot about her," Uhrich said.

Grebinski, who attended Sheldon Williams Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan, has maintained a mild workout approach thus far. She runs 40 to 45 miles a week, compared to the 70 to 80 miles of some teammates. Grebinski's main focus is to slowly increase her mileage so that she'll peak at the Big East Championship.

Programs with drill sergeants in charge don't allow runners to determine their mileage, but such is not the case at Marquette.

"I totally didn't want that," Grebinski said. "When I met Coach Uhrich and talked to him, and hearing what he stands for, I thought that was really encouraging. He's not going to force you to do things that you don't feel comfortable with."

Uhrich's approach convinced Grebinski to choose Marquette over a number of Ivy League schools she considered. The Ivy League does not grant athletic scholarships, which made her decision even easier. In the end, it came down to Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., and Marquette. Grebinski chose Marquette for the opportunities the business school provides. She is on track to major in international business. Thus far, she's pleased with her decision.

"I love it. I really am enjoying my time here," Grebinski said. "I love being on the cross country team right now, you know the track and cross country team are a little family. I feel I'm a part of the school right now, and not just a student."

These are the words of an 18-year-old runner who has many reasons to feel pressure, but ignores them. Uhrich is enthused to have a successful runner in Grebinski right now and ecstatic about where she'll be as she gains experience.

"Oh yeah, there's definitely room for improvement," he said.