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Log inFull speed ahead to Olympics
Full speed ahead to Olympics
by Outspoken on Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:19 am
Full speed ahead to Olympics
Maine native Anna Willard sets a U.S. record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to qualify for the Games.
By MIKE LOWE
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
The conditions were perfect. The setting was perfect.
So Anna Willard ran the perfect race.
Willard, the 24-year-old Greenwood native, not only qualified for the U.S. Olympic track and field team, but also set an American record in winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase early Friday morning in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Willard stayed close to the leaders for all of the race, then came from behind in the final 600 meters to take the lead on the next-to-last barrier and win the race in 9:27.59 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. She won by more than three seconds over second-place finisher Lindsey Anderson of Utah. Jennifer Barringer of Colorado rounded out the team that will go to Beijing.
The race ended sometime around 1 a.m. Friday.
"It was pretty special," said Mike McGuire, her coach. "Physically and mentally, Anna was prepared for this race. Obviously she was facing great competition it was a perfect night to run the atmosphere was incredible all the ingredients were there.
"And when the race began, it was Anna being Anna."
Willard, a 2002 graduate of Telstar High in Bethel, is the fifth Maine native who has qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics, to be held in China beginning Aug. 8. She will compete on Aug. 15 at Beijing's National Stadium.
It will be the first women's steeplechase in Olympic history, a fact not lost on Willard after she finished. In speaking to reporters after her win, she said, "It's pretty cool to be part of history. The Olympics is pretty cool alone. This is a pretty neat addition."
Willard, who was unavailable for comment Friday, joins rowers Wyatt Allen of Portland, Anna Goodale of Camden and Elle Logan of Boothbay Harbor, and mountain biker Adam Craig of Exeter on this year's U.S. Olympic Team.
Not bad for someone who just took up the event four years ago.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=197747&ac=PHnws
The Associated Press
Maine native Anna Willard sets a U.S. record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to qualify for the Games.
By MIKE LOWE
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
The conditions were perfect. The setting was perfect.
So Anna Willard ran the perfect race.
Willard, the 24-year-old Greenwood native, not only qualified for the U.S. Olympic track and field team, but also set an American record in winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase early Friday morning in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Willard stayed close to the leaders for all of the race, then came from behind in the final 600 meters to take the lead on the next-to-last barrier and win the race in 9:27.59 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. She won by more than three seconds over second-place finisher Lindsey Anderson of Utah. Jennifer Barringer of Colorado rounded out the team that will go to Beijing.
The race ended sometime around 1 a.m. Friday.
"It was pretty special," said Mike McGuire, her coach. "Physically and mentally, Anna was prepared for this race. Obviously she was facing great competition it was a perfect night to run the atmosphere was incredible all the ingredients were there.
"And when the race began, it was Anna being Anna."
Willard, a 2002 graduate of Telstar High in Bethel, is the fifth Maine native who has qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics, to be held in China beginning Aug. 8. She will compete on Aug. 15 at Beijing's National Stadium.
It will be the first women's steeplechase in Olympic history, a fact not lost on Willard after she finished. In speaking to reporters after her win, she said, "It's pretty cool to be part of history. The Olympics is pretty cool alone. This is a pretty neat addition."
Willard, who was unavailable for comment Friday, joins rowers Wyatt Allen of Portland, Anna Goodale of Camden and Elle Logan of Boothbay Harbor, and mountain biker Adam Craig of Exeter on this year's U.S. Olympic Team.
Not bad for someone who just took up the event four years ago.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=197747&ac=PHnws
The Associated Press
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
