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DyeStat Cross Country 2000
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National Finals |
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the girls race
It's Bei! �
And the West Rolls
By Stephen (steveu) Underwood
She's been a stupendous state champion for four years, but had never quite triumphed at the national level. In her final Foot Locker Cross-Country Girls National Finals she started out in last place for a good chunk of the first mile.
But in the final stretch at the Oak Trail course in Orlando Saturday, it was, at last, the glorious end that seemed destined for Sara Bei. She overtook fellow Californian Anita Siraki in the final 20 meters and crossed the line in a course-record 16:55.
After not making it here last year (having been to the Finals as a 9th and 10th-grader), Bei has regrouped over the past year and risen to new heights. Similarly, she moved up all race before catching Siraki with about 1000 meters left. "I just said, 'I've got to go with Anita now,'" she said. "I wasn't sure I could win until the end because Anita's so strong. It could've gone either way, but I gave it all that I had. Winning was that much more exciting after what I've been through."
Despite getting passed at the end, it was a super race for Siraki to end a super senior season, as she moved up from fourth last year. "I knew she was coming up on me," she said. "When it comes down to the stretch, most of the time the one with the most speed wins, and it wasn't me."
The Montgomery HS senior also led a dominating team win by the West, as they took five of the top seven. After Bei and Siraki (16:56), Laura Zeigle of Utah took third in 17:21. Natasha Roetter of Massachusetts and Kalin Toedebusch of Michigan then broke up the potential sweep in 4th and 5th, running 17:29 and 17:32 respectively.
But Californians Liza Pasciuto - the only 9th-grader in either race and certainly one of the best kickers - and Amber Trotter ran 6th and 7th in 17:35 and 17:36. They were quickly followed by Pennsylvania's Julia Pudlin, New York's Michelle Wade (both 17:37) and Michigan's Kathryn Boyles (17:39) to round out the top ten.
The race had a decidedly different look earlier as Penny Splichal of North Dakota was an early leader, along with Maria Cicero (Ill.), Pudlin, Christa Benton (Fla.) and others. The mile went by in a quick 5:21 - in contrast to the pace 40 minutes later in the boys' race. At that point Bei was still nine seconds back, but getting in the thick of the chase group.
In the next half-mile, pre-race favorites Siraki and Alicia Craig of Wyoming worked their way into the top eight, along with Zeigle, Trotter and Wale. By the 2-mile (11:00), Siraki and Craig were together for what was expected to be a battle to the tape.
Bei, however, had been working her way up. In the third mile she closed on, then passed Zeigle. She reached the lead duo just as Siraki was about to make her big move and Craig suffer her unfortunate slow-down. The Cali. pair then pulled away, setting up the dramatic final stretch.
Zeigle was one of several runners who surprised somewhat, finishing that high in the top ten. "I started training hard later in the year this time," she said, "just to focus on this race. God really gave me the strength. I can do all things through Him."
It was a rare off day for Craig, who suffered heat-related symptoms and faded to 20th. As is the case with Bei, Zeigle and several others, she professes a strong Christian Faith, and her post-race recovery started with extensive prayers with family members and friends.
Much recovered later, she said she "felt pretty good early on. But after awhile I couldn't swallow or speak and my hands got real hot and heavy. I had trouble thinking. I guess I'm used to much colder weather."
"It's tough to have races like that," she added. "But I trust that it's part of the bigger plan of God's."
As for Bei, it's been a great year of redemption, though she's hardly a vengeful person. If anything she may be someone who once struggled with the high expectations of herself and others, but has grown into a more relaxed, confident place that allowed her to have a modest start to her season, then improve all year long to this final peak.
"It was like, 'I feel so good; what's going on,'" said Bei of her reaction to being up near the top in the final stretch. "I knew I had a kick, but I still can't believe I did it. God gave me the strength and determination."
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