Katie Weiler ’13
Sports Editor
THE ELITE MEET
One mile. 1609 meters. Five and one-third laps around Grand Valley State University’s indoor track.
Goals were high and doubts were nonexistent.
“My main goal going into the race was just to win and put down a solid time,” explained Connor Mora ‘13.
The Gazelle Sports Elite Meet took place on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Grand Valley State University. The top nine long jumpers, hurdlers, and dash finalists received an elite meet shirt. The top 15 milers in the state for men and women were also present, adding prestige to the 2nd annual Elite Mile. Cedar Springs had two representatives: Mora and Kenzie Weiler ’15.
Mora’s personal best time in the mile ranked him first by over ten seconds, making him the clear favorite going into the race.
“My goal was to improve from last year’s place and time,” commented Weiler. “[Also] to show people I could keep up with the best in Michigan.”
The race doubled as a marker for their training efforts this winter. Both agree that they are performing at a higher level than at the event last year. This is also a confidence booster going into their next workouts because it shows that their hard work is paying off.
As for the outcome, Mora defended his Elite Mile title with a 4:15.05, six seconds ahead of second place.
“The hardest part was probably the last 200 meters,” said Mora.
Weiler passed three girls in the final lap to place sixth with a time of 5:03.23. The finish was not the most difficult part of the race for her.
“[It was] thirty seconds in the middle of the race when it wasn’t the beginning or end and I just had to keep my pace and keep with the girls,” explained Weiler.
LOOKING AHEAD
Being part of the best in the state means more than doing well at races. The runners must look ahead and set their goals for the coming races.
“My goal for indoor state is to break 5:00 for the 1600m,” comments Weiler. “It is a goal that I have wanted for two and a half years.”
Weiler will be running the 1600m run at the Michigan Indoor Track Series State Championship. The event will take place at Central Michigan University on Saturday, Feb. 23. After that, outdoor track begins in March, and she is prepared to chase down her goals for the season.
“I want to improve on my PR’s and school records from last season and place higher at state than I did last year,” said Weiler.
Forgoing the state meet, Mora has accepted a special invitation to the Brooks PR meet in Seattle, Washington. He will race the mile on Sunday, Feb. 24 against some of the best boys in the nation. His race will be aired on a live stream at 6:35 PST on www.flotrack.org.
“I’d like to run a fast time at Brooks PR and finish near the top of the pack,” said Mora. “For outdoor, I would like to win state again and get in the low four minutes.”
Emerging Elite: Connor Mora ’13 and Kenzie Weiler ’15 wearing their Elite Meet shirts. They performed extremely well against the elite fields. Photo by Julie Weiler
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