Monday, May 13, 2013

Final thoughts: IC4A 10,000, Will Griffin

IC4A Championships, 137th annual
Friday, May 10, 2013
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
10,000-meter run
10-Will Griffin 31:05.69
70, 2:24 (74), 3:37 (73), 4:49 (72)
6:01 (72), 7:13 (72), 8:25 (72), 9:37 (72)
10:49 (72), 12:04 (75), 13:18 (74), 14:53 (75)
15:48 (75), 17:03 (75), 18:17 (74), 19:33 (76)
20:49 (76), 22:06 (77), 23:23 (77), 24:41 (78)
26:00 (79), 27:18 (78), 28:36 (78), 29:53 (77)
31:05.69 (72.69)
5km split: 15:10
Final comments: Will leaves our program after five years with several school records (indoor DMR, outdoor 4x800, outdoor 5,000, outdoor 10,000). More than that, he leaves a “good guy” legacy that will be impossible to replace. Will achieved his greatness over many years and over many injuries. Never, not once, did he let the injuries – usually devastating stress fractures – deter him from his goal of being the best distance runner he could be. And, just last week, in one final act of selflessness, Will stepped up and stepped into an epic 3,200-meter relay at MAACs. How many elite level 10,000-meter runners out there (Will owns the only sub-30:00 in school history) will take a break from their event to blast out a two-lap relay leg for their team? This past year has been bonus time as Will returned for his fifth year. He was an integral part of the team, and he extends his legacy to the current freshmen class. Fare well, Will, we will miss you.