HONORS AND AWARDS
MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award: 2015, 2017
MVC Honor Roll: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll (7): Spring '14, Fall '14, Spring '15, Fall '15, Spring '16, Fall '16, Spring '17
2016-17 SEASON
Cross Country: Ran three times for the Braves • Set PRs in the 5K (20:23.1 at the Illini Classic) and 6K (24:56.7 at the Bradley Classic).
Indoor: Set her PR in the mile run at the EIU Friday Night Special with a time of 5:29.05 • Also ran the 800m during the year with a mark of 2:29.23 at Illinois.
Outdoor: Ran the 1,500m run, setting her career-best time of 5:00.07 at the Illinois Twilight.
2015-16 SEASON
Cross Country: Finished 10th at the season-opening Western Illinois Early Bird to start the cross country season • Closed out the fall with a career-best 5K time of 20:27.63 at the Illini Open.
Indoor: Ran a career-best 2:26.01 in the 800m at the Fred Wilt Invitational during the indoor season.
Outdoor: Competed in the 800m during the outdoor season in the spring.
2014-15 SEASON
Cross Country: Did not run during the 2014 cross country season.
Indoor: Made her only appearance during the indoor track season at the Orange & Blue Open in Champaign, Ill., running in the 800m.
Outdoor: Clocked a career-best 800 meter time of 2:23.53 at the Redbird Invitational during the outdoor season.
2013-14 SEASON
Cross Country: Missed the first three cross country meets of the year, before making her debut at the Bradley Classic.
Indoor: Ran in the 400m and 600m during the indoor season.
Outdoor: Competed in the 200m, 400m and 800m during the outdoor campaign.
HIGH SCHOOL
Cross country team MVP three of her four years • Qualified for sectional three times • Helped the Bucs to a sectional appearance as a senior • Also earned four letters in track.
PERSONAL
The daughter of Melvin and Ana Mercado, Melody was born Aurora, Ill • Has two younger siblings: Joyce and Michael • Majoring in journalism.
CAREER BESTS
Cross Country
4K: 15:55.8 || WIU Early Bird / Charleston, Ill. || Sept. 4, 2015
3 Miles: 18:58.6 || Bradley Intercollegiate / Peoria, Ill. || Sept. 11, 2015
5K: 20:23.1 || Illini Open / Champaign, Ill. || Oct. 21, 2016
6K: 24:56.7 || Bradley Open / Peoria, Ill. || Oct. 14, 2016
Indoor Track
400m: 1:06.09 || SIU Invitational / Carbondale, Ill. Feb. 8, 2014
600m: 1:45.45 || Illini Classic / Champaign, Ill. || Jan. 16, 2016
800m: 2:26.01 || Fred Wilt Invitational / West Lafayette, Ind. || Feb. 13, 2016
Mile: 5:29.05 || EIU Friday Night Special / Charleston, Ill. || Feb. 17, 2017
Outdoor Track
200m: 29:37 || Cougar Classic / Edwardsville, Ill. || Mar. 22, 2014
400: 1:05.82 || EIU Big Blue Classic / Charleston, Ill. || Apr. 2, 2016
800m: 2:23.53 || Redbird Invitational / Normal, Ill. || May 2, 2015
1,500m: 5:00.07 || Illinois Twilight / Champaign, Ill. || Apr. 22, 2017
