An old Iowa saying is that if the corn is growing right then it should be "knee high by the fourth of July". Another is that "days like these are corn growing days" in reference to the heat and humidity mixed with the thunderstorms. Well I've seen corn as high as my chest and the heat and humidity for this year's US Championship meet is more reminiscent of August than late June.
However, our athletes are handling it well. Our final three junior athletes all competed earlier today and the outcome was pretty much what we expected in regards to making finals. In the 1500 Amanda Mergaert and Megan Combe were both in heat one. The pace was quite slow through 800 meters (2:32), but then Amanda was able to move with the leaders and finish second in her heat (4:32) and advance to tomorrows final. Megan had not raced since the conference meet and just didn't look as sharp. Her final time was 4:50 which I know she was disappointed with. However, to be here and get this experience was a big step forward for her as a freshman.
Lauryn McKay gave her usual strong effort in the open 400 meters. Her time of 56.90 was good enough for 25th overall. I thought she opened well and looked strong down the homestretch. She is another gal who hadn't raced since the conference championship meet back in mid May. It is very difficult to come to this meet not being race sharp, however, if your unable to qualify for the NCAA meet there are no other options for races. That means race simulations in practice and trying to provide the best atmosphere possible even the majority of your teammates are done for the year and have gone home for the summer.
Again....this experience, regardless of how these junior athletes finish, will be invaluable as we make our move to the PAC 10 conference a year from now as well as future NCAA /US championship events.
Amanda will run the final of the 1500 meters tomorrow night at 5:25pm. See my previous post for links to watch the race on the internet.
No comments:
Post a Comment