The gun sounded for the start of the Girl’s Relay (Swedish; 100-200-300-400) and immediately a tall woman who’d sneaked into the Press section began cheering wildly for the American team.
“C’mom baby…”
“Watch those handoffs...”
“That’s it, that’s it…”
And so it went for the entire 2:07.93 it took to run the race.
After the race I asked her name, “Mrs. Mary Cross and that’s my grandbaby,” as she pointed excitedly towards BRANDI CROSS, anchor girl for the US. She and Brandi’s Dad, Tyrone, traveled here from California arriving last Friday.
“I’m very proud of her,” stated a beaming Dad. She was pretty down the other day after the 400 (Cross finished 4th) so I bought her a lollipop and she came around.”
Indeed she did! She anchored her team to the gold medal with a solid 53.1 leg. The team was comprised of KRYSTAL CARTER, EBONY COLLINS, BIANCA KNIGHT and Cross. In the prelims, ELAN HILAIRE took over for Knight.
Brandi started running when she was seven. Asked when he thought she might be something special he laughed and answered, “When she started beating me.” When she was 12, Brandi turned in a 55.1 performance, the best in the world at the time.
When she did so well this year my wife (she works for the airline and couldn’t get off to come here!) thought it might be too much for her. Coming here and then traveling to Canada to compete in the Pan-Am Games but she begged and pleaded and we gave in.”
Thanks Dad, the United States appreciates your soft-heartedness.
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