XC Journal: Courtney Smith, Unionville - Entry #5 - October 28 - Good times. Some bad news.

Unionville senior Courtney Smith entered her third year of XC with a resume that has been growing season-to-season. As a sophomore, she was 4th in AAA at Hershey. Then last year, she won her first state title, setting a meet and course record. In the winter, she broke the state record in the 3000 meter run, but had to settle for 2nd place. She more than made up for it by twice outsprinting the same competitor, first for 3rd place in the Girls 3000 Invitational at the Penn Relays, and then in the finals of the AAA 3200 meter run at the PIAA State Championships. Smith led her team to a qualifying spot and trip to NXN after winning the Northeast Regional. But in the first 1000 meters in Portland, she fell and was spiked. She recovered for 10th. Then during indoor, and despite an injury, Smith captured 3rd in an incredible 3000 at PTFCA Indoor States, and anchored her DMR to a state title. Two weeks later, she anchored that DMR to a 6th place finish in the New Balance Nationals Indoor champs in a time ten seconds better than their state title... and anchored the 4xmile the next day to a 3rd place finish - both earning all-American recognition. But the injury endured. She went through PT, and returned to racing at the Henderson Invitational on May 2nd. Beyond happy to be back.



 

Outdoor Track:

Entry #10 5/5  |
 

Indoor Track

Entry #9 3/26
 

Cross Country: 

Entry #1 9/2  |  Entry #2 9/30  |  Entry #3 10/7  |  Entry #4 10/14  |  Entry #5 10/28  |  Entry #6 11/10  |  Entry #7 12/5  |  Entry #8 12/10

 

 

Courtney Smith
SR. Unionville HS, PA


 

Journal Entry #5 (October 28, 2013)
Good times. Some bad news.

 


Hi everyone!

Last Friday, Unionville hosted the Ches-mont League Championships. Although a few parts overlapped, the leagues course was different from our normal home course. Over 2000m took place on the steeplechase area next to our school that isn't part of our home course.  The first two miles were basically flat or downhill and then the entire third mile was uphill into the wind. I ran with Aislinn Devlin, a freshman from Downingtown West, the first mile. We came through the mile together in 5:37 and then my goal was to maintain that pace through the two mile (I think I did a 5:33) and push the hill for the last mile.  As a team, Unionville showed its depth today going 1-3 in the JV race and 7 in the top 15 of the varsity race (without Emily).

 

Here is a picture of our team's cutest fan Bella!
(Bella photo by Linda Fisher)

This past Friday we had Districts at Lehigh.  It was really nice having a race in the morning so we didn't have to wait around all day like McQuaid and Manhattan. We knew there is always great competition in District 1 and that Lehigh is a fast course so we were excited to set PRs.  

 

We also got to see Anne Birkenmaier who stopped by the meet after she finished classes at Lehigh for the day. We got a picture that was just like old times (minus Abby Dorrell - we love you!!). (Photo below by Martha Young)

 

 

 


Unfortunately, the day before districts Emily found out that she had tested positive for mono.  She decided she still wanted to give the race a try and see if she could help the team.  Without Emily as a scorer, Gretchen Mills really stepped up and finished 10th and as our 4th runner.  Kacie and Elizabeth set big PRs with the help of their "group leaders" Olivia and Bridgette respectively. For my race, I started out a lot farther back than I had hoped and came through the mile in 5:39.  I knew I had to pick it up to get the time I wanted so after the mile I took the lead. For most of the race, I could hear people cheering for "Olivia" behind me but when it switched from Pennsbury voices to Unionville ones the last mile, I knew we were going 1-2!  Also, shout out to Matt Stalford who went 17:01 in the JV race from Unionville for a 36 second PR and Colin McDonald for qualifying for states with a PR as well!

Up next, of course, is states!!  This is going to be an awesome meet since the field is loaded this year and not many of us have raced each other yet!  Like always, Pennsbury put up a tough fight last week and the scoring was really close. Next week should be an exciting rematch!

Go PA!  And Happy Halloween!
Courtney