Nov. 9, 2011

Lee College of Engineering alumna Cassie Ficken Slade represented the United States in the 10,000 meter run at the recent Pan Am games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Cassie is a Civil Engineering graduate of the Lee College of Engineering, with both a bachelor and master’s degree. She is now working as a transportation engineer at Fehr and Peers in Colorado and training as a top distance runner.

At the Pan Am Games, Cassie finished seventh with a time of 36:14.96 in the women’s 10,000 meters.

“It was a little different than I expected,” Cassie said. “I thought it would go out a lot faster, so it was a little tough for me to go to the lead because I was kind of nervous. I thought, ‘This is a big race. I don’t know if I should go to the lead.’ But I did what I wanted to do and get the race a little faster. Looking back on it I probably should have stayed back a little bit more.”

Cassie has also qualified for the US Olympic Trials in both the marathon and the 10,000-meters. She will compete in the marathon trials this January in Houston, TX, and the 10,000-meters in June 2012, in hopes of making the U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in the London 2012 Games.

In her time at UNC Charlotte, Cassie was a record setter on the track, winning eight conference titles, two All-Region honors, qualifying for four national meets and securing the first women's All-America accolade in Charlotte 49ers history. Earning All-America status in the 3000-meters during the 2005 indoor season, Cassie remains the school record holder at that distance.

Cassie currently resides in Highlands Ranch, CO, with her husband, former 49er miler Russell Slade. "I still have my Charlotte 49ers sticker on the back of my car," Cassie said. "