"Go, Molly" the signs said - and Molly did
by John Dye
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WAPPINGER FALLS NY 11/17/01
- Molly Huddle races to 18:02.52 win, #2 all time at Bowdoin
Park, just 6 seconds behind the course record (Erin Davis,
Saratoga, 17:56.6 in 1993). Molly was disappointed at not
breaking the record, "I wanted it so bad," but she
thought the race set her up nicely for the Foot Locker Northeast
regional next week. She confessed to being a little nervous
about her first run at famed Van Cortlandt Park in New York
City, but most observors thought the hills she conquered today
are tougher than the hills of VCP.
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Huddle sprinted out immediately
and had daylight already heading for the hills after the 500-meter
opening straightaway. "My coach (dad, Bob Huddle) said
to get out fast. It's a big field and the course narrows down
in the hills."
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It's more crowded in the
pack.
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After a first mile in 5:30,
Huddle started feeling lactic effects in the hills. "I
tried to make up time on the downhills, but not enough to
be out of control."
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With 1000 meters to go, Huddle took a peek
(left) to see if anyone was close. "I heard so
many people shouting for Nicole (Blood) that I thought she
might be close."
But there was a 10-second gap
before Saratoga ace Blood (right) led a chase trio
that also included Laurel Burdick, Fayetteville-Manius (left)
and Tracey Brauksieck, Homer. Appearing strongest, Brauksieck
won the stretch run to finish 2nd.
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Next: The Finish, top 25
NY Federation meet
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