MileSplit Best of 2008
For us here at MileSplit and hopefully the rest of the prep X-C and track and field world, 2008 was a year like no other. It was an Olympic year. A historic year. Simply an amazing 365 days.
It was a year in which we not only saw the prep stars that we cover on a daily basis qualify for the Olympic Trials, but one in which they announced their presence with authority.
It was a year in which we witnessed five new national standards on the track; six more all-time No. 2 performances were also recorded.
Pictured right in photo by Margot Kelly, Elijah Greer (OR) winning the 800 meters in a stunning 1:47.68, U.S. #4 all-time
It was a year where several cross country teams and athletes competed for the moniker of best ever; not to mention a myriad of other truly mind-boggling performances.
As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008. Today we revisit the moment voted #5 by our staff and webmasters.
Wayne Davis (NC), pictured below in photo by John Herzog, winning the 55m hurdles in 7.08, U.S. #2 all-time
Front page photos by Tim O'Dowd, Victah Sailor and Don Rich
#5
June 8, 2008 - Chanelle Price (PA) runs 2:01.61 in Pre Classic 800m, U.S. #2 all-time
By Don Rich (PennTrackXC.com)
Running stride for stride with Olympic Gold medalist Maria Mutola could have been unnerving for recent Easton grad Chanelle Price. After all, it was 650 meters into the biggest 800 of her young career, and Price had been in her trademark position since the cut-in off the waterfall start – the lead.
"It was a little nerve-wracking" Price said this week a few days after her US#2 all-time 2:01.61 at the Prefontaine Classic. But Price didn't back down, and stayed with Mutola through much of the final curve.
Photos by Victah Sailor - PhotoRun.net
It was the furthest Price had gone with the lead in a race with this level of competition. In last year's USATF Championships, where Price raced all three rounds before placing 7th in the finals... she had been caught and passed at the 600 meter mark.
Pre was different. All week and weekend, her coach, Ken Abney, had encouraged her to act like she belonged. And Price did her best to fit in. After all, last year's US Champs rounds had given her valuable experience with the pros. A few of the pros had even given her encouraging words after each race.
And at this winter's USATF Indoor Championships, when Price had fallen off the pace early and did not advance to the finals, those same pros would remind her that she did belong... and that everyone has a bad race. She found the words comforting. But she redoubled her efforts in training, and when she popped a solo 2:02.90 to win the PA state title and break a meet record held by all-time prep best Kim Gallagher, and a Federation record held by Joetta Clark, her confidence was peaking at the right time.
But nearly two weeks later, Price found herself sitting within a few feet of Mutola at dinner before Prefontaine. And on Sunday, the day of the meet, Price again found herself looking for a corner to make camp as she prepared for the race. Again, she walked by the pros - Nicole Teeter, Alice Schmidt, Hazel Clark-Riley, and the icon of the event, Mutola. "This is not Shippensburg," Price says she was thinking.
Price reminded herself that she did belong with this group. "We found our own spot. I listened to my music, and kept to myself."
Abney had told her that she would have the lead at 400 if she came through in 57-58. She did.
And he told her she would still be in the lead at 600 if she came through in 1:28. She did.
"I thought they would come by me at 600, but at 650, I still had the lead, I just prayed I could keep it" Price said.
Mutola was the first to go by. Then Clark. Then Schmidt. "But last year, they took over at 600. I actually stuck with them to 700." Price continued, "I'm getting close. It's how I wanted to run the race, even if it's not the time. I really wanted two minutes. So, yes, it's a little disappointing."
But Price says that the race was immensely fun. "This time I felt a lot stronger. I felt the best I've ever felt. I tried to pump my arms, stay on my toes and relax," Price said. "I have to get a little stronger. But at least this time, the pain didn't start until 775 meters."
After the race, Price says she was congratulated by most of the pros. "Hazel (Clark) gave me a hug. And Alice (Schmidt) always talks to me. She said 'way to run with heart', Price shared.
Price wanted to meet Mutola, but the opportunity never was there. But the post-race was almost as much fun as the race itself. "Little kids were asking me for my autograph. And it was cool to hear it announced for the #2 all-time."
Chanelle Price with 100m to go in her PIAA record-setting 800, PennTrackXC photo by Don Rich.
Price will not race in either Nike Outdoor Nationals to defend her title, or in the the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships this weekend, to focus instead, on the Olympic Trials the following weekend.
Her 2:01.61 now ranks her #5 on the US list. And the additional experience and success in Pre will help her as she prepares for what she hopes are her three best races of the year.
But don't necessarily expect to see Price in the lead. "I can't go out in 57 or 58 in every round. I don't want the rounds to kill me," Price says. "But I'll do what my coach tells me."
Her coach told her to act like she belonged at Pre. And Price did exactly that.
Read more about Price from PennTrackXC.com
Video interview with Chanelle Price
#6 Fayetteville-Manlius captures third consecutive national championship
#7 Eleanor Roosevelt (MD) runs U.S. record 4x800 at Penn
#8 Hasay beats Chetelat, 9:52.13-9:52.51, 3200m, U.S. #2 & #3 A-T
#9 Christine Babcock US #2 all-time 1600/Mile
#10 Ryann Krais US #2 all-time heptathlon
