Sammy Laurenzo opened up her 2012 XC season with a win at the Liberty Invitational on Saturday. Here's a few snapshots of Sammy's performance and her comments.
Q: How did the wet conditions impact your race?
A: There wasn't really much to do with the conditions. I felt that I just had to work with the hand that I was dealt, and for this particular meet, I just decided to go out there run, and have fun.
Q: I heard all the Liberty North Girls ran with mud under their eyes. How did that get started?
A: We were all eye-balling the mud before the race. Then, as a team we decided to put it on after the race to look like warriors, enjoy ourselves (we were already muddy anyways) and to have it for the awards ceremony.
Q:Those who were at the meet said you were strong throughout had a great kick to close – Is closing something you have been working on?
A: The closing hasn't been my main focus, but yes, over the summer I was trying to make it so that I could finish my races at least about as strong as I start them.
Q: I know last year didn’t end the way you wanted because of a late season illness – How has that motivated you for this season?
A: Last season, was unlucky. I believe in "everything happens for a reason"; and so this season I am just going to go out there and try my best, again. I feel that I have done everything that I could do to prepare myself for this season, after the upset that I had last year.
Q: Where are you racing next?
A:Next weekend my team and I are racing at the Ray-Pec Invitational.
Thanks Sammy - MoMileSplit looks forward to providing SnapShots of athletes of all classes. Submit photos to peverett@milesplit.com
Photo credit: Greg Hall