Angie Saterstad nearly goes down, but perseveres,
thanks to some help from a friend.
This story is repeated many times at virtually every cross country race in the country. But this one occurred in a championship race, in the midst of fierce competition, and involved an athlete and the coach of a competitor.
Hershey's Angie Saterstad was one of the favorites prior to this year's Girls AAA PIAA championship race. She had been 3rd in 2000, and was the reigning District 3 champ, having run a 19:18 in high winds on the same course the week before.
But in this race, she found herself in an unusual spot. Council Rock's Jessica Cickay took it out hard from the gun. Those in the chase pack had a choice to make. Pick it up or lose any chance at the individual championship. Saterstad, eventual champ Stephanie Madia, Kelly O'Connell, Jessica Perry, Erin Franklin, and Kim Malcolm picked the former.
They gave chase, just trying to maintain contact in hopes that Cickay would come back to them. They chased through the up and down first mile, and through the mostly up second mile. They gave chase through the dirt path leading to the final short climb to the top when something happened to Saterstad. Her legs buckled, and she almost went down.
Madia, O'Connell, Franklin, Malcolm, Saterstad, Perry give chase.
In the line of fans was Steve Koons, the head coach of Cumberland Valley's XC team. Koons leapt to his feet and gave Angie a verbal boost that kept her moving.
"I have no idea what happened. I was through the worst part of the course and with the lead pack. But when I almost went down, I really wanted to stop. And someone yelled my name. Everyone helped me get back into it. Then I nearly went down again, but somehow kept it going."
Angie would finish 15th. Well off personal expectations and goals. But her memory of the day will be the encouragement she received at a crucial time in the race.
"I'm so happy I didn't quit."
The experience should only serve to strengthen the resolve of one of PA's favorites to qualify for the Foot Locker Championships at the Northeast Regional in New York November 24. Saterstad was 10th in the regional race a year ago as a sophomore.
She now knows, without a doubt, that she's a finisher.