BOULDER - After a brilliant four-year running career at Seattle Pacific University, Jessica Pixler set her sights on a graduate degree and bridging the gap between Division II track and a possible professional career.

At Colorado, she's gotten that and much more . . . the least of which is a new last name. In December 2011, Jessica Pixler became Jessica Tebo after meeting and eventually marrying former CU track standout Matt Tebo.

"I guess I'm coming away with a bunch of pretty good things - a grad degree and a husband," Tebo said last week, grinning broadly. "I can't complain; CU has treated me well."

There's an abundance of truth in that last statement.

At Seattle Pacific, Tebo played soccer and ran track until midway through her freshman year when she concluded that running without kicking a ball might be her calling. But competing in both sports for most of her first year did more than sap her energy and leave her listless at times.