ST. LOUIS – Eureka senior Hannah Long ran away with Saturday’s Forest Park XC Festival title, book-ending where she began her phenomenal cross country prep career.
Long and Ste. Genevieve junior Taylor Werner have clashed in some of the most memorable races the last two years, and it was anticipated that Saturday’s Forest Park showdown would be another classic battle between two of the country’s elite distance runners. The race never fully came together for Werner, and Long was left to extend a growing lead over the final two miles of the race.
Long, who last won at Forest Park as a freshman, won the girls’ Green Division title in 17:07.5. Long said she tried not to let Werner’s presence change her approach or strategy.
“I kind of wanted to focus on myself,” Long said. “I think I really need to focus on my own race, but it was definitely good having her there because she helped push me in the beginning, and it’s always good to race against good competition.”
Long said she has begun narrowing down her college choices, and she has official visits at Georgetown, Stanford and Virginia already slated for this fall. While she begins to look to the future, Long said she’s still focused on each race and finding ways to improve during her final lap through the cross country season.
“I wanted to go sub-17 (minutes),” Long said. “I think it’s a good stepping stone to start the season. After this time we’ll know what I can run and what I can improve on in practice.
“I’m more trying to focus on staying calm and relaxed at races. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed when there’s more competition at higher-level meets. I get a little nervous, but that’s something I can work on.”
Werner won the head-to-head Forest Park matchup the last two years, including last fall when she set the course record at 16:47.2. Werner said she’s been running through some pain this summer as she’s had a growth spurt, and she’s still trying to regain her form.
“I struggled a lot this summer, and it was all about getting back,” said Werner, who finished second in 17:49.6. “Based on speed workouts from last year I knew I wasn’t quite there yet. I’ve been working hard. I’ve had confidence issues and just got over everything at the start of this week, so it’s been a real rough time.
“I’m glad I was able to get out and race today, and Hannah did great. I’m real proud of her. It’s one of those days that I’ll learn from and it’ll motivate me for the rest of the season.”
Ste. Genevieve teammate Mia Jerman was third at 18:07.9, and Nerinx Hall senior Sophia Racette took fourth (18:10.9).
The top individual finishers didn’t factor into the team scoring, and it was St. Thomas Aquinas (KS) that captured the top honor with 155 points. Without anyone in the top 10, the Saints were able to secure the low score with a tight pack that finished with a spread of just 46 seconds.
Lafayette was second with 172, and Rock Bridge was third (179).
Anna West led Lafayette with her seventh-place showing (18:17.2), and close behind was teammate Sarah Nicholson (18:25.7) in ninth.
“We’re so excited,” West said. “We didn’t really have any expectations. State last year did motivate us, and we’ve been building a really good base. Me and Sarah, we’re normally right around each other, but I think this is the first cross country race I’ve been in front of her.
“The rankings came out and we were second. It’s cool we were up there, and it’s definitely going to push us in workouts and to do well in meets, too.”
Lafayette is coming off a third-place finish at the Class 4 state meet last year, and that has added a level of expectation and motivation for 2014. Lancers head coach Scott Brandon said getting a taste of a big, tense meet early in the season will benefit the squad later when the postseason arrives.
“It’s a big pressure meet, and it gives the kids an opportunity to race under that championship season pressure early on. It’s very early, but it’s of course exciting,” Brandon said. “This gives them the chance to feel success together as a group and believe in each other.”