National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

This is the second Fall 2013 edition of our new NSAF weekly feature on nationalscholastic.org: the Emerging Elites of the Week.  The New Balance Nationals Indoor and Outdoor meets have become known for the ever-expanding and improving competition in the divisions of the same name.  Similarly, the NSAF seeks to give weekly recognition to track and field and cross-country athletes reaching new and exciting competitive levels with their recent performances.

Today, we honor two harriers from the Midwest, one with a completely dominant course-record performance and the other who scored a narrow upset win over a top rival – and both whose victories came in “Spartan” invitationals ...

Female – Audrey Belf, Seaholm HS Class of 2015, Birmingham MI

It became quickly apparent late last winter that not only was Audrey Belf the clear leader of an outstanding Seaholm (Birmingham, MI) distance crew as a soph, but that she was quickly ascending into national class territory.  Belf had actually struggled and was just #5 girl a few months earlier when Seaholm had captured the Michigan D1 XC title in November.  But in January and February, she got her 3,200 times down to 10:56.94, 10:41.93, and then 10:37.38.  Then at New Balance Nationals Indoor, she rocked a 10:22.46 to take a shocking third in the 2-mile.

Belf’s performances weren’t quite as eye-popping in the spring.  She hit 4:56 and 10:38 for 1,600 and 3,200, but then ran just 6th at state with 10:56.47.  But she wrapped it up in solid fashion in June with a 16:54.83 in the NBN Outdoor 5,000 for 7th, then 9:59.83 for 3k in the heat at the USATF Junior 3k in Des Moines for 5th. 

Now, however, Belf’s form is even better than it was in March.  In her second race of the season, last Friday’s MSU Spartan Invitational in East Lansing, she stunned even her biggest fans with a scintillating course record 17:14 on the lush 5k layout, winning by more than 30 seconds.  And “course record” is hugely significant for this meet, given that recently-graduated Michigan legends Erin Finn (17:16 in 2011) and Megan Goethals (17:22 in 2009) – national class stars who piled up NBN and Foot Locker honors – were the two previous CR setters.  If she keeps it up, she herself could be battling for a national title come December.

A few of Audrey's thoughts:

On her summer training and how it compared to previous years:  My summer training was excellent.  I increased my mileage from last year, as well as focused on developing a more structured running schedule.  I learned that running the exact same mileage every day was not the best approach. Also, I added additional cross training and worked on getting physically stronger.

On her course record at Spartans and surpassing two all-time greats on the course:  I feel absolutely amazing about my performance and new PR; it is still surreal.  Megan Goethals and Erin Finn are two Michigan runners I have always admired; they are not only fabulous runners but display admirable drive and determination.  When I began running, my goal was to one day compete at their level.  Realizing I now have that opportunity is more than I could ever imagine.

On her goals this fall, for her team and individually:  I would like to help my team defend our state championship and achieve an individual state title.  We have excellent competition in Michigan and clinching another victory will be challenging.  I would also like to qualify for the Foot Locker National Finals; competing at this meet has always been one of my dreams.  In addition to Foot Locker, earning a place on an international USA Cross Country Team would be phenomenal.

Male – Mark Hadley, Boardman HS Class of 2014, Youngstown, OH

For an awful lot of sub-elite and even elite runners, a 15:01.17 5,000 (19th overall at NBNO) would have been a pretty decent way to end a junior-year track season, especially one that had already included a 9:05.66 3,200 (3rd at D1 state), a 4:14.12 mile, and a 4:12.80 1,600 indoors.  But Boardman (Youngstown, Ohio) senior Mark Hadley was not impressed.  He was on a mission this summer and the first four meets of his senior year have been a testament to his motivation to improve significantly.

After solid victories in the OHSAA Pre-Season, Glen Oak Golden Eagle and Frank Gibas invites in August, Hadley and his team hosted a field at last Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Invitational that included the state’s top returning distance runner – rival Nick Elswick, a Chardon senior.  Hadley daringly led most of the first two miles, was overtaken by Elswick in the third mile, but emerged victorious with an outstanding kick in the final 400.  His 15:07.8 was an XC PR and reportedly beat the old course record by more than 20 seconds.

Elswick beat the old CR, too, with his 15:08.7.  The Chadron senior was ranked US#7 (DyeStat.com) to start the season off the strength of a 2nd in the NBNO 5,000 in 14:28.73, a 9:00.43 3,200 best and being a Foot Locker Finals returnee.  That’s all to say that Hadley, not really on most folks’ national radar after last spring, has now earned the right to be in the national conversation, as well.

A few of Mark's thoughts:

On his summer training and how it compared to previous years:  Following my mediocre performance at New Balance in the 5k, I took a week off, sat down with my coach, and tried to evaluate the areas where I needed to improve.  We decided I was lacking aerobically, more than anything, and that a bigger base would probably be beneficial.  With this in mind, we bumped up my miles from 55-60 to 75 miles a week and worked in a lot of long tempo runs.

We also thought it was necessary to begin workouts later in the summer than we usually do.  Normally we pick up quality days the week after New Balance, but this year we pushed them back into August with the expectation that it would keep me healthier and allow me to peak in November, when the races count.  We also added an extra speed day to my weekly schedule.  In the past, we would do a workout every Tuesday and race every Saturday, but this year we moved the first workout to Monday, put a second one on Wednesday and continued running Saturday races.  Despite all of these increases in volume and intensity, I have stayed happy and healthy and overall feel more confident than I ever have in the past.

On his course record and beating a top rival:  The Spartan Invitational was an amazing experience.  Blowing away my PR like that was great, and setting the course record in front of my home crowd was even better.  And I was really pretty surprised that I ran such a fast time on what is usually a pretty slow course.  That being said, I don't like dwelling on how great it was, because I have a long season ahead of me with bigger and better races to come.

And I can only take some of the credit, anyway. I owe Nick Elswick a big thank you for being such a great competitor and driving me to run such a fast time last weekend.  I'll be seeing him pretty much every week from now until the end of November, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Of course, I would love to win every race I'm in, but I know that pushing myself in a race and getting second to one of the best athletes in the nation will make me much better than racing slower competition.  I get great enjoyment out of racing with somebody who is so close to my fitness level, and the fact that we're able to run against each other on a weekly basis and drive each other to run fast times is pretty exciting.

On his goals this fall, for his team and individually:  As a team this year, our focus is getting up on the podium at state (top two finish).  If we can make this happen, we're considering trying our luck at the NXN Midwest Regional meet in Terre Haute.

Individually, I would love to win a state championship and qualify to the Foot Locker Finals in San Diego.  But most importantly, this year my goal is to use my running to Glorify God.  Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and it's my belief that it's my purpose to use the abilities he's given me to the fullest, whether I win or lose.  This year I'm trying to work on not only staying humble when I win, but staying gracious and respectful to my competition when I lose.  This has definitely been an area that I have struggled with in the past, but I'm really trying to put an emphasis on it this year.  I feel that keeping a level head and honoring God are far more important than winning races.

Photos by Vic Sailer, Photorun.net (Belf) and Paul Underwood (Elswick).