One of the fine set of results this winter All-Comers season has been the Steeplechasing of Lindsay (or Linzy as she likes to be referred to now a days) Allen from College Park HS, who has raced as fast as 7:13.09 during a couple of attempts at the two kilometer distance (works out to 86 seconds per 400 for the five lap regular track distance). One of the more challenging events on the track/field/cross-country circuit, we asked Linzy some questions about her efforts in that event, and some on her general running. As one of a great group of runners from Northern California, 4th in last June's State Meet 1600, Allen is just an eleventh grader. With the Steeplechase gaining full acceptance at the NCAA and Olympic level, she certainly may have a future in the tough event that is an interesting test of general atheltic and conditioning abilities!! Interestingly, North Coast Section star Jenny Aldridge set what is believed to be a national prep all-time best for the full 3000 meter distance at 10:49.63 for third in the US Junior Nationals last June. Linzy's 86 second per lap pace works out to a time in the mid-10:40's should she be able to keep it going the next two and a half laps (to the 3000 meter distance) in the future! Shiloh Whiting (Univ Arkansas/San Lorenzo Valley HS, Felton) was the Junior National Champ last year at 10:42.09, so it appears Allen has a competitive future here should she continue.

Linzy goes over the water jump (Spencer Allen photo)

1) Tell us briefly about your recent steeplechasing results?
At the DVC all-comers meets I ran the 2000m steeple chase twice, my best
was a 7:13.

2) What preparation did you have for the races?
For the past 2 years I have gone to Humboldt State running camp over the
summer and each year they had a steeple chase workshop. We started out on
hurdles and did drills and worked on our form, we also jumped over the
water barrier a few times, but onto grass.

3) What interested you in the event?
When I started high school track I really wanted to run the hurdles, but the
shortest race is 300m and our team is full of good hurdlers and sprinters so
they never needed me to run it. Then I went up to Eugene, Oregon with my dad
and sister and we watched the Division 1 NCAAs. I saw the steeple for the
first time and it looked like so much fun! Instead of running lap after lap,
you get to mix it up and jump over a few things! And the water is always
exciting!

4) What goals do you have for the steeplechase event this year and in the
future?
This year I just want to qualify for the Junior Nationals in June. I have
never really raced it in a competitive race but I hope to break 7 minutes. I
don't know if I'll be doing steeple chase in college, but I hope so!

5) Do you have any sense that success in the Steeple will make you more
recruitable for college?
I hadn't really thought about that, the few times I've done it I haven't
been going for time, just practice and fun. That would be great if it
helped!

6) How do you think the steeplechase helps your other flat running?
I don't think learning to hurdle and jump directly help my running, but it
does motivate me to become a better runner so I can do well in both.

7) Great 2002 Track and Cross-Country seasons - congrats? What are some
thoughts as you look ahead to this spring?
As you know, the junior class has so many great girls! I'm just focusing on
MOC and qualifying for state.

8) Any ideas on college - thinking of staying close to home or would be
willing to wander somewhere around the country to continue your
college/running?
I am definitely willing to wander out of state, but I haven't really had a
chance to see out of state schools. I've seen a lot of California and
hopefully this summer I'll go see other schools.

9) Where do you see yourself in a decade?
That's so far away! I'll have a job, but I'm not sure what kind,and I'll
definitely be running. I'll probably join a club team and do road race for
fun.

Thanks
Linzy Allen

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