Friday, May. 16, 2008

Freshman Tracks Down Silver at State

CHHS Runner Impresses in 3,200; GHS Vaulters Take 5th, 7th

By Zach Warner

Staff Writer

For most freshmen that qualify to compete at the state track and field meet, just getting to Austin is a big deal. It’s strictly a learning experience.

For Colleyville Heritage freshman runner Ali Nielson, state was an educational process. But it was also one that informed others that she’s an athlete to watch out for over the next three years.

Nielson came away with knowledge and a silver medal to boot, finishing second in the 3,200 (two-mile) race at state May 10. Nielson trailed only Sarah Andrews of The Woodlands, who clinched gold in the event.

"For a freshman to get the silver medal, that was pretty impressive," said Bill Anderson, Colleyville Heritage track coach. "She definitely won’t surprise anybody anymore.

"When you’re talking about the good distance runners in Texas, she will definitely be mentioned in that company," he said.

Nielson was Colleyville’s only representative at the state track meet and one of three Grapevine-Colleyville school district athletes that made the trip to Austin. Grapevine pole vaulters David Taylor and Monte Willett were also on hand as two of eight finalists from across Texas to participate in the event in Class 5A.

Nielson’s time of 10 minutes, 54.48 seconds was second to Andrews, who finished just under 11 seconds ahead to win. The Colleyville runner also competed in the 1,600, finishing seventh with a time of 5:13.77, just over 15 seconds behind the winning time.

"Everyone was so fast, and I was just so happy to be there," said Nielson, who also runs cross country for the Panthers. "I had the second-best time coming into the state meet for the season [in the 3,200], but my regional time was No. 3. I was hoping to get at least a bronze, but a silver medal is even better."

Nielson said finishing second at state is something that has yet to completely sink in. She’s still trying to grasp all the progress she’s made since last year when she was in middle school.

"Last year in eighth grade, I couldn’t break 13 minutes in the two mile, and now I’m running under 11," she said. "It’s crazy."

Colleyville Heritage cross country coach Lindy Lombard, who coached Nielson in the fall and continued to work with her during the track season, said the freshman’s work ethic and high training level were evident when she started the school year. Nielson runs during school, on her own and with her club team, the Metroplex Striders.

"I’ve had people tell me several times that they’ve seen Ali running down the road," Lombard said. "We had to put a stop to all the extra running, because she was going to run herself ragged. She was already up to 50 miles a week when I got her [in the fall].

"It’s amazing for such a young athlete to be as dedicated to her training as she’s been," she said.

Nielson, who hopes to take gold at state in track and reach state in cross country before her high school career is through, said she enjoys the training process.

"I just like the feeling I have while I’m running," she said.

For Grapevine, Willett’s second consecutive trip to state and Taylor’s first in the pole vault did not produce their desired results, as their top jumps were lower than their past showings.

However, both finished in the top seven at state, which is a strong showing for any athlete and something Grapevine pole vault coach Cody Koontz hopes they’ll keep in mind.

"They were disappointed to see that 15-6 was the winning height, which they had matched or surpassed before," Koontz said. "They looked good in warm-ups, but it didn’t play out the same way in the actual competition."

Willett and Taylor finished tied, along with two other athletes, with top jumps of 15-0, but due to tiebreakers based on amount of times hitting the bar, Willett finished fifth and Taylor finished seventh.

Three athletes tied for the top jump at 15-6, but David McKenzie of Katy Taylor won the gold on tiebreakers. Taylor set Grapevine’s school record with a jump of 16-0 at region and Willett hit a best of 15-6 at region as well.

Koontz, who also advanced to state as a Grapevine vaulter a few years ago, said he expects the athletes to eventually put their experience in perspective and continue to look strong in the event at the college level.

"Right now, it’s hard for them to see past it," he said. "I think they will with time. … They both realized [state] is not something that many get to experience."