photos by Vinny Dusovic, Photo Run
It is time to take the phenom label off Nicole Blood.
Since her Junior Olympic races as a 6th grader, the diminutive
New Yorker has been tabbed a star of the future. Well, the future
is now, and she is adding muscle and height as her body matures.
Still only a freshman, Blood already has three years
experience leading the nation's Number 1 cross country team. At
the Millrose Games,
she ran with the poise and smarts of a seasoned veteran. After
losing the lead in the middle to seniors Arie Lambie and Katy
Trotter, Blood appeared to be in trouble with the tight turns
of Madison Square Garden working against a come from behind runner.
But Blood bided her time until the next to last lap. Then she
surged quickly to the front and could not be caught as she hung
up the second fastest mile of the season (4:52.00) at one of the
toughest venues to get a fast time.
The gutty race recalled earlier stretch runs where
Nicole refused to lose -- against Amber Harper in the Great American
Cross Country Festival last September and against Molly Huddle
at the Loucks Games last May.
Nicole
Blood past performances
Event Mark Meet
2003 Indoor
G-Mile 4:52 2/8/2003, Millrose Games NY, # 1
G-1000 2:53.6 2/2/2003, TriCounty League NY, # 2
G-Mile 4:54.78 1/25/2003, New Balance Games NY, # 1
G-3000 9:48.35 1/18/2003, Yale Classic CT, # 1
G-Mile 4:57.4 12/28/2002, Brown Inv RI, # 1
2002 Cross Country
17:52 5k 9 @ FootLocker nationals CA 12/14/2002
17:48 5k 2 @ FootLocker NE seeded NY 11/30/2002
18:09 5k 1 @ Federation Ch. NY 11/16/2002
16:52 3.05m 1 @ Section 2 NY 11/1/2002
17:04 5k 1 @ Suburban Council NY 10/26/2002
19:03 5k 1 @ Great American ROC NC 9/28/2002
17:54 5k 1 @ Spiked Shoe PA 9/7/2002
2002 Outdoor
G-Mile 4:50.15 6/15/2002, AOC National NC, # 3
G-3000 9:38.04 6/8/2002, Statemeet Class A NY, # 1
G-Mile 4:52.6 c 5/11/2002, Loucks Games NY, # 1
2001 Cross Country
Time, Date, Meet, Pos
18 18.00 11/17/2001 Federation Meet 4
18 11.00 11/10/2001 PHSAA Class A 1
17 26.00 11/3/2001 Section 1
17 15.00 10/27/2001 Suburban Council 1
16 50.00 10/6/2001 Baldwinsville 1
17 56.00 9/25/2001 Saratoga 3-way 1
18 14.00 9/22/2001 GreatAm ROC 8
18 10.00 9/8/2001 Great Bay Race 4
Q
and A with Nicole Blood
1. Describe the Millrose Mile race.
The Millrose race was the most exciting race I have ever competed
in. From the start of the race to the finish, I was focused and
determined.
2. In Loucks 2002, Brown 2002, Great
American 2002, and Millrose 2003 among others, you showed the
ability to dig deep and win a tough stretch fight. What goes through
your mind at such moments?
When I think of these races, I remember to never
give up until I cross the finish line.
3. What is your proudest accomplishment
to date?
Winning the Millrose Mile.
4. What is your biggest goal for this
year? for your high school career?
Always do my best & never give up. The biggest
goal for my high school career is to continue to work hard and
stay healthy.
5. What person (athlete or otherwise)
would you most like to meet? Why?
Mary Decker, because she is a role model and I want
to follow in her footsteps.
6. How do you prepare yourself mentally
for a big race? Do you have a favorite song?
I keep focused and try not to pressure myself. One
of my favorite songs to pump me up is "Let's get ready to
RUMBLE!!" by Jock Jams.
7. What do you like to do when you
have spare time from school work and running?
Hang out with my family and friends. I enjoy 4-wheeling
in the summer.
|
Matt DeBole seemed to be dawdling in early meets this
season, with unimpressive times. But he was just getting into shape
and shaking off some ailments. At the Millrose
Games in Madison Square Garden, DeBole showed again
that he is a big meet performer as he beat a good field just as
he had done last April at the Penn Relays.
DeBole settled into third place behind Andrew Keino
and Brian Dalpiaz, maintaining contact through a swift pace. With
2.5 laps to go, DeBole made his winning move and won decisively,.
Matt
DeBole past performances
Event Mark Meet
2003 Indoor
B-1000 2:33.99 2/15/2003, State Meet NC, # 1
B-Mile 4:12.97 c 2/15/2003, State Meet NC, # 2
B-Mile 4:16.5 2/8/2003, Millrose Games NY, # 1
B-1000 2:33.65 2/1/2003, Virginia Tech VA, # 5
B-500 1:07.39 2/1/2003, Virginia Tech VA, # 9
B-Mile 4:22.16 c 1/18/2003, Eastern Challenge NC, # 1
B-1000 2:33.15 1/18/2003, Eastern Challenge NC, # 1
2002 Cross Country
15:12.7 5k 5 @ FootLocker nationals CA 12/14/2002
14:56 5k 2 @ FootLocker SO seeded NC 11/30/2002
15:34 5k 1 @ State Meet 4A NC 11/2/2002
15:18 5k 1 @ Regionals NC 10/26/2002
15:03 3.1m 1 @ UNC-Wilmington NC 9/7/2002
2002 Outdoor
B-Mile 4:11.8 6/15/2002, AOC National NC, # 4
B-Mile 4:13.01 6/8/2002, Golden West Inv CA, # 7
B-Mile 4:15.25 c 5/18/2002, 4A State Meet NC, # 1
B-800 1:52.4 5/11/2002, Regional NC, # 1
B-Mile 4:09.73 4/27/2002, Penn Relays PA, # 1
B-Mile 4:15.46 4/20/2002, Taco Bell SC, # 1
2001 Cross Country
Time, Date, Meet, Pos
15 21.00 12/8/2001 FL Nationals 16
14 49.00 11/24/2001 FL SO Seeded 2
15 2.00 11/3/2001 State 4A 1
15 56.00 10/13/2001 Furman Inv 8
15 12.00 10/6/2001 Wendy's Inv 1
15 45.00 9/22/2001 GreatAm Inv Seed 3
15 54.00 9/15/2001 Cougar Inv 1
15 1.00 9/8/2001 Omega Inv 1
15 10.00 8/25/2001 Brenner Hospital 1
Q and
A with Matt DeBole
1. Describe the Millrose Mile race.
I had a fairly good start but still encountered a lot of physical
running. I let Kippy make a very big move and I think he separated
further from me than I expected or wanted. I spent a lot trying
to catch up but I knew that neither he nor Brian have big finishes
at the end. I made a big move with 2.5 laps left to catch up and
eventually pass them. I knew that if I had the lead going into the
last lap it was going to be hard for anyone to pass me.
2. What accounts for Mt. Tabor producing such good
teams year after year?
Certainly Mike Esposito, our coach, has to be the
main factor. I think that we have an incredible work ethic and very
strong faith as a team. We work extremely well as a team both on
the men's and women's side which helps for support. It comes down
to being tremendously blessed in having great athletes come together
in a great enviornment.
3. What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
I couldn't really say. I think winning the Penn Relays
Mile last year because it was in an electric environment and it
still is my mile PR.
4. What is your biggest goal for this year?
I am really focusing on running under 1:50 in the 800 and 8:50 in
the 2mile this year. It is something that hardly anyone has been
able to accomplish in one season.
5. How do you prepare yourself mentally for a big race?
Do you have a favorite song?
I come up with a race plan the week before and then try not to think
about the race until I warm up. I don't usually listen to music
to pump me up, but I like going through an Allman Brother's CD on
my way up to the meet.
6. What do you like to do when you have spare time
from school work and running?
I work at a sporting goods store- but I like to go to concerts and
play Ultimate and Disc Golf with my friends.
7. Anything else you would like to say to DyeStat fans?
You can't smoke DeBole!!! |
