Joe Klecker, Makena Morley Turn Professional

Joe Klecker, Makena Morley Turn Professional

Joe Klecker and Makena Morley are the latest Colorado Buffs to turn professional.

May 8, 2020 by Lincoln Shryack
Joe Klecker, Makena Morley Turn Professional

Former Colorado All-Americans Joe Klecker and Makena Morley have joined teammate Dani Jones in turning professional despite the NCAA granting an extra spring season of eligibility in the wake of COVID-19.

Jones announced she had signed with Hawi Management agency on Monday, and on Friday Klecker and Morley made their decisions official to wade into the pro waters as well. Neither athlete has announced an agency or shoe sponsor at this time.

Klecker was a seven-time All-American at CU, including runner-up finishes in the 2019 indoor 5,000m and 2019 cross country nationals. The Minnesota native was considered a strong contender in both the NCAA 3,000m and 5,000m in March’s NCAA Indoor Championships before the championships were canceled the day before the start of the meet due to the pandemic. His altitude-converted 3:55.13 mile was the fastest in the NCAA in 2020.

"Although I feel there is a chapter left unfinished at CU I am very excited for my next step in the sport and finishing my degree," Klecker told CUBuffs.com.

Morley, a four-time All-American in Boulder, was an integral part of CU’s 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championship team. Her eighth place finish in Madison was her career best performance at cross country nationals by 35 places.

Like Jones and Klecker, Morley was excelling on the oval at the time of the NCAA cancelation. Her 15:26.22 5,000m PB was seventh-fastest in the nation in 2020.