November 10, 2012

• Cross-Country

  Today was the Pacific Northwest Association of USA Track & Field's Junior Olympic Cross-Country championships. The top 35 finishers and top 3 teams in each age division advance to the Region 13 finals in Spokane next week.

  Veronica had her best 3k time ever, 13:17, (warning, pdf) at the Rain City Flyers' home meet two weeks ago. She had the 7th best time for RCF Midget Girls, so was running on the "A" team. (RCF has so many 11 & 12 year old girls that they fielded two teams of 8.)

  Today's meet was on the same course, but there were 54 Midget Girls entered so we knew Veronica had to work hard. Also, Cousin Jane spent the night to test out the guest room and see Veronica run. It was a chilly morning, just under 40°F when Steve, Jane, and Veronica left for Woodland Park. Veronica and her friend Emma are ready to run with the Midget Girls! (Emma's sisters, twins Grace & Clara, run in the Bantam group.)

  

  It was a beautiful clear dry day in Seattle. Grace and Clara!

  

  The Midget Girls line up at the start. See how many there are!

  

  This video is from about the halfway point. Veronica, in pink shoes, comes into view at about 0:19, and Emma (also in a white RCF jersey) at about 0:27.

  The finish!

  

  Veronica is giving it her all. Note that her foot is clearly across the line at 13:12, but her official time was 13:13. Oh well, she still beat her best time by 4 seconds!

  We're waiting for the official results, but believe she finished 27th, and with the 6th best time for RCF Midget Girls, so it looks like she'll be headed to Spokane next weekend.

  RCF Midget Girls "A" team also got 2nd place for teams, so Veronica finally got the big ribbon she's been waiting for all season!

  

  Jane took Veronica out for some celebratory shopping & dinner. We are very proud of her!

  • 5:38 pm
  • 1 Comment