Final view on a busy weekend

After numerous posts before, during and after the two meets this weekend -- Kristen Traub and Michelle Gaye and Coach Chuck out at Stanford, and Coach Terry and most of the rest of the team from Colonial Relays in Virginia -- I leave you with this photo of the undisputed highlight event of the weekend: Michelle Gaye's record-shattering performance at 10,000 meters in Stanford.

Her mom texted me this photo of her at the starting line, surrounded by elite runners from all over the country. She commented at how calm and relaxed Michelle was at the starting line, a far cry from the nervous and jittery young runner from earlier in her career. The race was another signature moment in Michelle's maturation into an elite-level performer, one who represents our school and our program so well.

34:20.07. Wow. Less than two months ago, the indoor 5km school record of 17:24 seemed unattainable to her. On Friday night, her 5km split of 17:09 is faster than any woman has run in program history for 5km races -- excepting her two school-record runs at the end of the indoor track season. She's come a long way, and she went a long way out to Stanford to prove it. As always, we remain extremely proud of her, and we look forward to what the rest of the outdoor track season brings -- for her, and for all of our athletes.