This post has a LOT of Mary Cain material.
But who can deny she was America's "track darling" this past year?!
Several were faster, won more often, but when you look back at 2013 in USA track & field, her name was everywhere!
Ten HSR's, two wins (Seattle & USATF indoor), youngest ever finalist in WC, and signed as a pro at age 17!
So no apologies for spotlighting Ms Cain in this post.
Mary Cain's Best Races
1. The 4:28.25. Second to Sheila Reid in fastest US mile, indoors or out! Also 2nd massive breaking of indoor HS record. Beat some good runners.
2. The 4:04.62. Broke HSR (Her's!!) by 6.15 seconds! Don't think anyone, female or male, has ever broken a major mile record by that much! Also, she sprinted from 6th or so at 150 to go, to a very close 2nd!
3. The 1:59.51. Even CainSanity folks had hard time believing she could break Kim Gallagher's iconic standard, then 31 years old! But she did it!! And reduced her PR from 2:01.68!
Best Mary Cain Photo Op
Seeing Mary on the line at Boston, prior to the start of the 2 mile.
Right next to her was the "Baby Faced Destroyer", aka the greatest female distance runner of all time, the inimitable Tirunesh Dibaba.
Cain later joked about it, but I'm certain it's a moment she'll not soon forget!
Best Mary Cain Moments
Actually, there's 2 of them, and they came just moments apart!
The first was when Coach Salazar came on the track in Eugene at the Pre Classic to inform Mary she'd just become the first HS girl to go under two minutes in the 800.
She yelped a shocked "YES!!", then kneeled on the track and pounded her fist on Hayward's storied oval, truly lost in the pure joy of her achievement. Raw emotions for all of us to share in!
The second happened just moments later when Alysia Montano, track's Flower Girl, hugged Mary in congratulations.
Mary told her how much she loved her flower.
Do you want it?
Before she could reply, Alysia was removing her flower, and pinning it to Mary's hair!
A truly remarkable moment.
Other great "off track" moments
The huge outpouring of love given to Yelena Isinbayeva by the Moscow crowd.
She may be somewhat controversial, but her pure joy at winning, and Russia's response, brought tears to my eyes, and her's!
And how can anyone forget Amanda Bingson's cartwheels after breaking the American Record (Twice!!) in the Hammer Throw!!
We all shared in her happiness, as that video went viral!!
Most Shocking American
Several.
Jordan Hasay, for her seemingly effortless transition from 1500 gal to 10000 runner.
Not really a shocker, but nice to see Brenda Martinez reach SOME of her potential!
Treniere Moser making a "comeback". (But sad she had to pull out of the WC at the last minute.)
On the UNhappy side, I have to mention Tyson Gay's drug charges. It's still being adjudicated, but this was definitely the WORST news for the USA this year!
Quite different, but another sad moment was when Alysia Montano, in a heroic effort to medal, sprawled to the track at the finish line of the Moscow 800, then remained there, crying her heart out! (It was nice to see young Ajee Wilson go to her and try to comfort her.)
More to come.
I agree with your evaluation of Mary Cain as the brightest light of USA track and field in 2013. I like you choice of great moments and highlights from her spectacular year, and I can think of several more that could also be mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to mention another bright spot for USA track and field in 2013, also on the women's side. (This may anticipate some of what you're going to say in part 2 -- sorry.)
I refer to the emergence of a whole new great crop of American collegiate women in the sprints and hurdles. This includes English Gardner, Octavius Freeman, Kimberlyn Duncan, Ashley Spencer, Brianna Rollins, and Kori Carter. I'm probably forgetting some others that belong on this list, but those six already promise a great future for the USA in the sprints and hurdles for a long time to come. Brianna Rollins, the most accomplished of the group, is already the best short hurdler in the world.
Actually not sure what will be in Part 2. And there MIGHT even be a Part 3!! Since I only started this blog less than 3 weeks ago, I missed almost the entire 2013 year of T&F! (At least HERE! I commented LOTS on T&FN Message Board!!) And since 2014 indoor track has yet to get REALLY started, there's time to review 2013. Also, in my "private" life, I LOVE doing year-end wrap-ups.....of everything, not just in sports!
ReplyDeleteThe next part....or parts....will come no later than the 31st!!