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Lisa Galaviz would not have picked herself for the USA Steeplechase champion. "Carrie Messner won in Brazil in 9:41, so I expected her to win," Galaviz said after taking the victory in 9:57.58. "I'm surprised I won, between the heat and my training."
Galaviz's training suffered due to a strain in her glutes earlier this year, and she wasn't confident enough in her preparation to pursue Messner's brisk early pace. When Messner began to struggle in the heat during the closing laps, though, Galaviz was there to take the opportunity. "It's a slower time than I expected the winner to run," she said.
After being part of the US team for the first-ever World Championship steeplechase last year, Galaviz has found herself, along with other female steeplechasers, in increased demand around the track circuit. "I ran at Stanford, Qatar, and Brazil so far this year. The preliminaries were my fourth race, and this was my fifth." Galaviz plans a four-week training break before heading back to Europe for at least two races, at Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, and Thessaloniki, Greece, but now with the national championship she may find other doors open.
Another athlete who can expect to find new doors opening is runner-up Kristin Anderson. Anderson, the 2005 NCAA Division II steeple champ, who finished out her eligibility at Central Missouri State University in December and was competing unattached. "I won Division II with a 10:31 last year," she said. "I had to run a last chance meet to get qualified for this one; I didn't expect to make the final, and I didn't expect to place second. I'm still looking for a coach," said Anderson afterward. "I knew I had a lot of people praying for me, and I decided I had to take risks and not leave anything on the track." Anderson moved from fifth to second in the last lap, and almost caught Galaviz at the line. "I want to keep running until it's not fun anymore," she said. (Look for more on Anderson on this site soon.)
Posted by Parker Morse at 6:47 p.m. | Tags: Athlete Features, 2006 USA Outdoor T&F Champs
Branden Zavala commented, on June 4, 2007 at 2:45 p.m.:
You are an amazing athlete,the best of wishes to you for upcoming races.Im very thankful that i get to train with your husband. He tells me how much he admires you as an athlete.
CINDY GALAVIA commented, on July 8, 2006 at 5:09 a.m.:
POST A COMMENT??? THIS GIRL / WOMAN IS MY NIECE AND I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY ..........SHE IS AWESOME.
WE ARE SOOOO PROUD OF HER .. GO LISA GO LISA
LOVE YOU NINA