2001
presented by

Gallery of Finalists:
Northeast
Girls

4. Laurel Burdick NY

Laurel says:

I was really happy when the race in Van Cortlandt was over and I knew I had qualified again for Orlando. I was not really going into it with winning or any specific finishing place in mind - just qualifying.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional one of your best races of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

I don't think it was my best race of the year, although I did have my best time ever on the 5K course there (a few seconds better than in 1999 when I also finished fourth). I think my best race was probably the NY Federation meet at Bowdoin Park a week earlier - also a really competitive race where I finished third behind Molly Huddle and Tracy Brauksieck (just like the Northeast Regional!).

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

I have a great coach in Bill Aris. He has worked closely with me over the past four years and has slowly increased the difficulty of my workouts and intensified my training over that time. I think he has me running at my best this year and I feel I am just now peaking. I developed a good base this summer and have concentrated on increasing my speed workouts as the season progressed. We also ran more races on flatter courses as our league, sectional, and state meets were all on relatively flat terrains (like Orlando will be--I hope it helps!). The Regional at Van Cortlandt is a pretty demanding course, with the hills in the middle, which have always been a strong point for me. I have always run well there (3 Foot Locker quals, 1 Eastern States title and 1 Eastern States runner-up).

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to improve your placing from last year?

One of my goals since my first Footlocker in 1999 has been to make all-American (top-fifteen). Last year was tough as I was battling an IT band problem most of the season - so just getting to Orlando was a huge thrill and I was not expecting to get top 15. This year I hope I can. As far as the race is concerned, I think I need to get out harder at the beginning and stay with the pack through the race. Usually, I take a more conservative start, make up ground in the middle of the race, and try to have something left at the end to finish it. This race is like nothing else - everyone is so good you can't afford to get behind as it is difficult, if not impossible, to make it up in the middle of the race. Plus there are no hills to work - it's more like a track meet.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

My family and coach are the most important influences. My family is very supportive and help me to keep running in perspective. It is obviously an important part of my life, but it is not all encompassing for me. My coach is also very supportive and understanding. He does a great job of meeting my training needs, while building and maintaining a competitive and close team. This has made XC such an enjoyable experience - there is nothing like the camaraderie and fun of being on a close team.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Schoolwork and playing the violin pretty much take up the rest of my time.

5. Liz Gesel NH

Liz says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished fifth and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise at all, or something you were shooting for all year?

I was trying to remain confident through the race because I knew I should be in the top eight. It was just a matter of if I could do it on that given day. I was so relieved and excited to finish in the top eight and to finally see what Foot Locker nationals is all about.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional one of your best races of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

Personally, I don't think regionals was the best race of my season. I think the New England championship race was my best. The course was really flat and I cruised to my season best of 17:38. It was also fun to finally run on a flat course instead of the hills in New Hampshire.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

The beginning of the season I had a couple of different coaches until finally Kristine Haveles-Pelletier, Maureen O'Neil, and Therese Gesel (my sister) took my team under their wings. These three women and a slight increase in mileage over my summer training (10 more miles per week) definitely helped me make it to Orlando.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get All-American, top 10 or better?

For Saturday, I really just want to go out their and see how I compare to all these other athletes around the country. There is no pressure for me to do well, so I plan to run my own race and just see how I finish. Top 10 might be a reach for me but if I'm having a good day and I run the same or better than my New England race I might have a small chance.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

The most important influences on me would have to be my sister Therese and my former coach, Joe O'Neil. These two people have made a huge impact on me and my running, and still do. My favorite pro athlete would definitely have to be Regina Jacobs.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Outside of running, I would say that my interests would be listening to music and watching movies. I was never really a fan before, but lately I have been hooked.

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	5K-XC	#5 18:20	5k - Van Cortlandt Pk, NYC	NY FL NE Seeded
2001-11-10	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	5K-XC	#2 17:38	5k - Goddard Pk, Warwick RI	RI New England Ch
2001-11-03	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	5K-XC	#2 18:57	5k -	NH Meet of Champions
2001-10-27	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	5K-XC	#1 18:21	5k -	NH State Meet
2001-10-20	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	5K-XC	#2 17:51	5k -	RI Brown Inv
2001-09-29	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	5K-XC	#1 18:23	5k -	NH Manchester Inv
2001-06-09	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	G-Mile	#3 5:00.10	c -	NH New England Ch.
2001-04-28	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	G-Mile	#7 5:04.77	-	PA Penn Relays fin
2001-03-02	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	G-Mile	#1 5:08.05	N: c - @ReggieLewis	MA New England Ch.
2001-02-18	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	G-Mile	# 4:59.30	N: - @BU	MA USATF New Engl
2001-02-10	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	G-1500	#1 4:55.92	N: - @UNH	NH State Meet
2001-02-10	Gesel, Liz G(2002 NH)	Manchester Cen	G-3000	#1 10:31.47	N: - @UNH	NH State Meet

6. Jessica Cickay PA

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#6 18:21	5k - Van Cortlandt Pk, NYC	NY FL NE Seeded
2001-11-03	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#2 19:05	5k - Hershey	PA State 3A
2001-10-19	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	# 18:22	5k - Wm Tennent HS	PA Suburban One Nat
2001-10-03	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#1 18:18	5k -	PA Council Rock dual
2001-09-29	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#1 17:39	3.06m - Tyler State Park	PA Council Rock Inv
2001-09-15	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#1 18:26	3.1m - Belmont Plateau, Phila	PA Briarwood
2001-09-08	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#1 17:50	3.1m -	PA CB East Inv
2001-09-01	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)	Council Rock	5K-XC	#1 18:22	5k -	PA Cliff Robbins Inv
2001-05-26	Cickay, Jessica G(2004 PA)		G-Mile	#3 4:59.90	c -	PA State 3A

7. Lindsay Van Alstine NJ

Lindsay say:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished in the top eight and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

I was so happy. I thought that I might have a chance of qualifying, but I knew it was a very slim chance and I would have to run the best race of my season (time wise). But I did qualify and I'm so thankful and excited for this fun opportunity.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional your best race of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

The NJ state meet of champions was probably a little more exciting because it was more locally oriented. I was not the top seed so it was fun to surprise everyone.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

My coaches were my school nurse, Chi Chi Van Dyke, my father, Dave, and the coach of another local Christian school helped me out a lot. Towards the end of my season, I focused on speed a lot more and less on mileage and this did seem to help me for my state meets and regionals.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get All-American or better?

On Saturday, I am just hoping to have a good time. I'm hoping that if my time is good then my place will show it. But there are going to be so many excellent runners at this race and it is going to be quite a challenge to obtain All-American, but I'm going to try my best.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

My most important influences in my running life are God, my family, and my coach. My family has been so supportive of me and my running schedules, which almost always ended up affecting them in some way. My coach is the nicest, most encouraging person you will ever meet. She continually encourages me and prays for me. Everyone has been so supportive of me and prayed for me. Family, friends, fellow cross country runners, even my "rivals" have been so supportive and genuinely happy for me. I am so thankful for everyone's support.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

My biggest interest outside of running is not exactly an interest. It just consumes all my extra time and it is SCHOOL! I know I sound like a loser, but I honestly don't have much time for anything else with running and school. But when I do have a little extra time, I usually spend it hanging out with my sisters.

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Van Alstine, Lindsay G(2003 NJ)	Midland Park	5K-XC	#7 18:25	5k - Van Cortlandt Pk, NYC	NY FL NE Seeded
2001-10-13	Van Alstine, Lindsay G(2003 NJ)	Midland Park	5K-XC	#1 19:05	5.15k - Veterans Field	NJ Ridgewood Inv
2001-09-28	Van Alstine, Lindsay G(2003 NJ)	Midland Park	5K-XC	#1 18:52	5k - Garret Mountain; 60, dry,	NJ Maroon Inv
2000-11-25	Van Alstine, Lindsay G(2003 NJ)	Midland Park	5K-XC	#20 18:58	C: 5k - cold - VCPark	NY FL NE Seeded

8. Stephanie Madia PA

Stephanie says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished in the top eight and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

Going to Footlocker Nationals was a goal I had going into the race. I felt relieved and excited at the end of regionals.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional your best race of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

I feel my best race of the season was the Mid East Cross Country Championships. I ran my best time of 18:12. I just felt smooth for the entire race.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

Staying confident and positive was my main goal to help me get to Footlocker. I trust in my training program and I feel that is a big part of being a good athlete.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get All-American or better?

My goal for Saturday is to run my best race and fully rely on the gifts God has given me.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

The strongest influence in my running has been Coach Bollens. She has inspired me to challenge myself beyond what I knew was possible.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Outside of running I like to play the violin.

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Madia, Stephanie G(2002 PA)	N. Allegheny	5K-XC	#8 18:27	5k - Van Cortlandt Pk, NYC	NY FL NE Seeded
2001-11-17	Madia, Stephanie G(2002 PA)	N. Allegheny	5K-XC	#4 18:13	5k - Indian Riffle Pk, Ketteri	OH Mid East Ch.
2001-11-03	Madia, Stephanie G(2002 PA)	N. Allegheny	5K-XC	#1 19:04	5k - Hershey	PA State 3A
2001-10-06	Madia, Stephanie G(2001 PA)	N. Allegheny	5K-XC	#1 19:02	5k - Pittsburgh	PA Central Catholic
2001-05-26	Madia, Stephanie G(2001 PA)	N. Allegheny	G-Mile	#1 4:59.68	c -	PA State 3A
2001-05-04	Madia, Stephanie G(2001 PA)	N. Allegheny	G-Mile	#2 5:02.64	c -	PA Baldwin Inv

10. Kristin Coon NY

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Coon, Kristen G(2002 NY)	Webster	5K-XC	#10 18:32	5k - Van Cortlandt Pk, NYC	NY FL NE Seeded
2001-11-17	Coon, Kristen G(2002 NY)	Webster	5K-XC	#7 18:41	5k - Bowdoin Park	NY Federation Meet
2001-11-10	Coon, Kristen G(2002 NY)	Webster	5K-XC	#3 18:43	5k - Elma Meadows	NY PHSAA Class A
2001-11-03	Coon, Kristen G(2002 NY)	Webster	5K-XC	#1 18:40	5k -	NY Section
2001-09-29	Coon, Kristen G(2002 NY)	Webster	3M-XC	#4 17:57	3m - soggy, new, tougher cours	NY McQuaid Inv

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