7th in the Country

As great as 3rd in the NCAA sounds, 7th in the country might sound even better.  Sorry for the long delay with this posting.  I saved it as a draft and forgot to post it after such an exciting trip.  The final of the women's 1500 at the US Championships featured three collegians and nine professionals.  The winning time was the third slowest in the meets history due to no one being willing to lead on a hot and windy day.  They went out slower than the 10K gals did two nights before.  That, of course, favored the kickers and those who were not afraid to fail.  That perfectly describes how Amanda has run this year.  She led the early laps in front of national TV audience.  With 600 meters to go the pace started to pick up and she held off the pack.  With 400 to go she found herself surrounded and on the rail.  At 350 m to go she tripped, but quickly regained her stride and was able to hang on to the main pack that was now beginning to move hard down the backstretch.  Down the homestretch is was total chaos with runners in weaving in and out trying to secure the highest position they could.  Amanda landed in 7th and less than a full second from third.  It was that close!  Three first team All American honors and now 7th at the US National meet...what a season!