Chris Solinsky
Stevens Point WI senior

Nicole Blood
Saratoga NY freshman

100x100

That was Chris Solinsky's training formula as he prepared for his senior campaign. He ran 100 miles a week and lifted 100-pound bags at his summer job at a farm store. The work is paying off as the brawniest of the country's leading runners is undefeated this season, including his win September 28 at Great American. His 16:04 5k time in the Seeded Invitational was his slowest time in 2 years, but it was the fastest of the day on the tough Ballantyne Resort course made tougher by rain and mud.

Solinsky's goal for this year was formed last December when he finished a close third in the Foot Locker national finals to Tim Moore and Bobby Lockhart. Although he wants to win the Wisconsin state meet again, the big prize is the Foot Locker national finals at San Diego in December.

In Wisconsin, Chris is known as "the Rocket," and he appears to be going into orbit. Solinsky's season to date:

Time Dist Runner Pos/Meet
15:11 5k Solinsky, Chris 2003, Stevens Point WI 1 @ SPASH Inv WI 9/14/2002
15:20 5k Solinsky, Chris 2003, Stevens Point WI 1 @ DC Everest Inv WI 9/17/2002
15:34 5k Solinsky, Chris 2003, Stevens Point WI 1 @ Neenah Inv WI 9/7/2002
15:36 5k Solinsky, Chris 2003, Stevens Point WI 1 @ Smiley Inv WI 9/21/2002
16:05 5k Solinsky, Chris 2003, Stevens Point WI 1 @ Great American Inv NC 9/28/2002

Only a freshman and already in her second year leading the best girls team in the nation, Nicole Blood proved at the Great American October 5 that she is also one of the very best individual high school runners in the US. Not only good, but gutty.

Over hill and dale, mile after mile, Blood and Amber Harper of Utah could not be separated in the Girls Race of Champions. First one and then the other would edge ahead, but mostly it was side by side, stride for stride, and still that way as they pounded through the last 100 meters. Those who saw Blood outkick Molly Huddle at 1600 meters in the Loucks Games last May put their money on the New Yorker, and they were right. The Finish Lynx cameras caught Blood in 19:02.6 and Harper in 19:03.1, fastest times of the day over the rugged and muddy Ballantyne Resort course.

This will be Blood's first year in the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, and she is already tabbed as one of the favorites to take it all in December at Balboa Park in San Diego.

 

photos by Mike Leary

Honorable Mention
Alphabetical order - Includes meets through September 28