As a record-breaking student-athlete, Debbie (Cobbler)Jay made her impact on the women’s track and field program during her time at Missouri Valley College in the 1990’s.  Debbie set numerous program records during her competitive years, including multiple records that still stand nearly 30 years later.  She holds the indoor 55 meter dash record at 7.04 seconds, set in 1994, along with the indoor 55 meter hurdle record at 8.23 seconds, the outdoor 110 meter hurdle record at 14.22 seconds and the outdoor 4X100 meter relay record at 47.41 seconds, all set in 1995.  Cobbler also won multiple individual event championships in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, and was a three-time All-American, earning indoor and outdoor honors in 1995 and outdoor honors again in 1996.  She was a member of the 1993 women’s indoor conference championship team and a member of four-straight outdoor conference titles from 1993 through 1996.

 

Since graduating from Missouri Valley, Debbie spent a number of years in the restaurant industry, receiving numerous awards.  She was the Golden Bell Champion multiple times along with being recognized as a top 10 performing restaurant for Zancanelli Management several years in a row.  In 2011, Debbie transitioned to Criminal Justice as a Juvenile Youth Worker, first with Jackson County, then in Johnson County.  In the spring of 2020, Debbie moved to her current position as a Probation Officer with Midwest ADP, supervising a caseload of almost 400 clients.

 

Debbie credits Jim Cox as the person responsible for bringing her to Missouri Valley, along with Jake Von Scherrer, Jan Murphy and Dixie Wescott as some of the best coaches she had the pleasure of working with for pushing everyone to their maximum potential.  She also was influenced by the ladies of Theta Phi Alpha for their sisterhood, her track and field teammates and the Case brothers for never having a dull moment.