Before the '07-'08 track season, North Dakota's Laura Roesler was already a growing legend in her home state. As a freshman Roesler won quadruple gold at her state track and field championships, winning the 100, 200, 400 and 800m dash events. Despite the success, Roesler wasn't as well known outside her state, but it seemed it was only a matter of time. A strong fall led to an ever impressive spring, one that saw Roesler win four more state titles, but then go on a tear at 800m, lowering her time dramatically and reaching into U.S. top ten all-time status. The capping point on the season came at the Olympic Trials, an event that saw Roesler make the semi-finals and become one of the crowd favorites amongst a field of professional runners. This is the story of her season.
Articles
With so many big invitationals and championships this past weekend, we wrap-up the weekend and move forward with our eyes focused forward towards Columbus, Ohio (USATF Junior Nationals) and Greensboro, North Carolina (Nike Outdoor Nationals). In this week's edition of News & Notes we touch upon a few meets, how Price and Roesler are dominating forces and what the week ahead brings. (Pictured left: Chanelle Price in the Pre Classic 800m, photo by Victah Sailer of PhotoRun.net)
What a fantastic weekend it's been. Big championship style invitationals (Golden South, Golden West, Great Southwest) state meets (Ohio, Minnesota, New Hampshire, etc.) and the prestigous Prefontaine Classic hosted great high school competition all weekend long. A handful of U.S. top ten all-time performances took place, including Ryann Krais' (pictured left by Alan Versaw) U.S. #2 all-time heptathlon. **Chanelle Price (PA) runs 2:01.61 in Pre Classic 800m, U.S. #2 All-Time!!! **Laura Roesler (ND) runs 2:03.08 for 800m in California, U.S. #8 All-Time!!! **Jacquelyn Coward (TN) blazes 13.00 100m hurdles at Great Southwest, U.S. #2 All-Time!!! **Ryann Krais (PA) scores 5522 points at Great Southwest in heptathlon, U.S. #2 All-Time!!! Top Boys Weekend Highlights - Luke Puskedra (UT) runs 8:46.41 in Prefontaine Classic two-mile - D'Angelo Cherry (GA) blazes 10.16w in 100m at Golden West - Trotwood-Madison (OH) runs 1:25.44 4x2, 3:13.46 4x4 at OH State - Zach Wills (OH), only a freshman, wins OH State 3200m in 9:15.34 - Zachary Mellon (MN) runs 1:49.69 800m at MN State, U.S.#3 - Apple Valley (MN) wins 4x800 at MN State in U.S.#4 of 7:45.31 - Curtis Beach (NM) wins Great SW decathlon with 7262 points - Nick Vena (NJ) beats Mike Alleman (NJ) with 65-03.50 SP in NJ - Brett Johnson (NJ) runs 56.5 last lap to win NJ 1600m in 4:09.03 Top Girls Weekend Highlights - Alitta Boyd (CA) leaps 42-00 TJ, 19-06.25 LJ at Golden West - Ebony Eutsey (FL) blazes U.S.#1 400m in 53.23 at Golden West - Ryann Krais (PA) wins 300mH in 41.20 at Great Southwest - Hannah Carson (AZ) throws 160-11 javelin at Great Southwest - Three Texas high jumpers clear 6-00 at Great Southwest - Meshawn Graham (OH) runs U.S.#2 400m at OH State in 53.30 - Aareon Payne (OH) blazes 11.78 100m, 23.88 200m at OH State - Jillian Smith (NJ) runs U.S.#3 800m of 2:05.26 in NJ, U.S.#3 - Melanie Thompson (NJ) wins NJ MOC 3200m in 10:17.18, U.S.#5 Meet Pages & Results: Great Southwest T&F Classic - NJ Meet of Champions