Story by Tony Jones

Claire Durkin admittedly came into the FLMW Regional Championship with modest aspirations, giving her talent: “My goal coming in [here] was just to qualify,” she said.  Durkin went on to blaze the course as well as the field in meet record time.  In doing so, she not only decisively beat previously unbeaten Katie Flood (So., Des Moines, Ia.), but led an impressive contingent of Ohio girls across the line.

The much anticipated race got off well without any hitches as most of the contenders for San Diego fought for position on the rugged and famed University of Wisconsin-Parkside course.  The competitors were greeted with their first stiff course challenge just after quarter-mile mark as the first set of hills come into play.  Durkin, Flood, Emily Sisson (So., Omaha, NE), and Emily Infield (Sr., University Heights, OH) were several notables tagging along in 2:39 through the first half-mile. 

Things stayed almost identical as the same group with the addition of Stephanie Morgan (Barnesville, OH) to the first mile pack.  The opening stanza was a modest 5:45 as indicated from the lead vehicle crew.  However, things were about to change for Durkin.  She surged without hesitation and opened up a huge gap on the pack she had been seemingly content to run with.  Maybe it was impatience of being out in the horrible weather conditions, because she kept the torrid pace going as a staggering 10:57 was read aloud at the two-mile post (5:12 second mile!).  No one was in sight for almost 30 seconds until Flood and Morgan clocked 11:23 and 11:24 respectively.  The steady stream of girls moved past two miles under 12:00, setting themselves up for solid finishing times.  Meanwhile, Durkin charged on without any signs of a collapse.