The Prize

It's something that caught her eye on her recruiting trip.  It's something that has been so temptingly close to happening.  Yet, it was a mark that was like Stockton to Malone and an NBA title...always a near miss.  The 800 meter school record is the mark that Amanda has been chasing her whole career.  Even when her premier event became the mile her sophomore it's something she has always coveted.

Finally..today...in her first international race...she took it down...and did so with authority.  Her lifetime best of 2:06.33 was accomplished in April on a breezy day after a tough 1500 the day before.  That left her .12 short of Lucy Yates's 2011 mark of 2:06.21.  At the Drake Relays she came up short by less than half a second again.   Then began a series of eight consecutive 1500 meter races to end the collegiate season.

Her patience and focus has paid off as today in Vancouver at one of Canada's most famous track meets (and on Canada Day to boot) she ran 2:04.73 to finish second in the 800m race.  She was just out leaned at the line by season line rival Rebecca Tracy (2:04.71) for the win.  Even 400m splits of 62 seconds including a furious move down the backstretch to get into contention made the difference.

Amanda's final race of the 2013 season will be another 800m run on Wednesday night in Abbotsford, BC at the Lafarge High Performance meet.