Track people, especially the ones over a certain undisclosed age, tend to compare athletes to other athletes they have either heard about or seen perform. That's a good thing. That's what makes us track people. But when you consider the thousands who participate from year to year, there are relatively few legends. One such legend is Upper Dublin's Kim Gallagher.
What does it feel like to run 2:04.96 and reach
a major goal? In five seconds, Price said it all.
Her outdoor best of 2:00.07 in the 800 from 1982 remains the best prep time ever. And as a sophomore, she set three PA-all-time indoor records, 2:32.4 for 1000 yards, 2:09.5 for 800 meters, and the mile at 4:47.77. Her indoor 800 record lasted 24 years. The other records remain intact. As stated... she is a legend.
Now she is being mentioned when track people, new and older, look for someone to compare with Easton junior Chanelle Price.
With a 4:50.65 mile this winter, those comparisons picked up some steam.
But with Saturday's 5:06.74 mile (controlled back), a 2:04.96 #3 all-time 800, and splits in the 4x800 and 4x400 of 2:08 and 53.6, those comparisons have spread across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Most coaches on the infield mentioned Gallagher's name when looking for comparable athletes. Tim Hickey - himself a coaching legend - said he had never seen a better single day indoor performance in Pennsylvania.
And after a winter of surprising herself with PR-after-PR, even Price is starting to see some similarities. "I have heard a lot about her. People compare me to her." Then, without hesitation, she adds... "I think today really proved I am on her level."
There, it's official.
But to understand that the statement comes from a growing confidence, and NOT arrogance, Price followed up her blunt assessment with, "I didn't expect to do this well. I'm only 16."
That's right. At 16 she can run 53.6, rip an 800 in under 2:05 (which would have been an auto-qualifier for the 2005 USATF Championships), and even finish 3rd in a state cross country meet. She is indeed in the same class as Gallagher.
And like Gallagher, Price makes her team better. Gallagher's 4x800 still holds the National High School Federation record in the 4x800 of 8:58.43. And Price's Easton squad is now the 2007 PTFCA Indoor State Champion in that relay and the 4x400.
Price contributed 20 individual points, and anchored for 20 more, for a share in 40 of their winning 64 point total.
She started her four-gold day with the mile. With a fast 800 in the plans and in the back of her mind, she was hoping to catch a break. She did. "I know they were all planning on me taking it out. I was happy with what they did," Price said. What they did was go out in 2:40, a mere jog for Price. She waited for the final 300 to put the race away, and then coasted to her 5:06.74 win.
Not only was Price looking for a quick 800, she also wanted to have something left for the relays. But she committed everything to the 800 right from the gun. By the time she split under 30 for the 200, the race was over. She came through the 400 at 1:00.7, and kept the effort at max through a 32 and a 32.1. She RAN THROUGH THE FINISH, and DIDN'T LOOK AT THE CLOCK until she had passed. 2:04.96. Indoor goal accomplished.
And when one goal is reached, another is set. "I hope to run under 2:04 at Nike Indoor. I think it's a reasonable goal."
Photo by Megan Zeller
Both relays proved to be for the win, and then for time. In 2006, Price was chasing from 100 meters down in the 4x800. Not this time. Allyse Barlow opened in 2:23. Abbie Dubin-Rhodin went 2:21. And Jenna Liew (slicing a huge 8 seconds off her previous season-best) handed off to Price after a 2:22 and the lead. Price's 2:08 and the resulting 9:18 was five seconds better than last year. Coach Andy Messa, in his first year at the Easton helm after taking over for his retired father, had told the girls after their 9:33 at Lehigh in early February that they could beat 2006's time. "They didn't believe me. Two girls PRed big. They ran great."
Price didn't have to run 2:08 to win. She says she had to run that for her teammates, despite the incredible work she had already done. "They asked me why I went so fast, and I said I just wanted to get you girls a good time. You guys go out there and bust yourself, so why should I back off."
The 4x400 was equally as impressive. Dubin-Rhodin leads off in 60.5. Jessica Dorsey goes 58, and hands off to transfer Tenesia Simpson, who splits 59. It's left to Price to put the final touches on their state title... so she caps it with a PR split of 53.6. She didn't believe that either. "I thought they had the wrong person." Price says her closing speed was due in large part to the presence in the race of Methacton anchor Ryann Krais. "We're pretty equal in the 400, but you never know what that girl is going to pull. I just ran for my life."
Following NIN, Price will continue pursuing and training for her ultimate goal of breaking 2 minutes in the 800 by the end of her senior year. That will buy her a ticket to the 2008 Olympic Trials. "It will be a hard challenge, and I am working for it."
Let the comparisons begin.
