Richardson Tops Elite Field
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 Blake senior Claire Richardson was among outstanding athletes that ran in the Twilight Elite Meet at Hamline University of April 27th.
The meet features many of the best track and field athletes from across the state, giving them the opportunity to run in "prime-time", under the lights in Klas Stadium.
Richardson, who has been honored as an All State runner in cross-country and Track a total of nine times, captured the Elite Meet 3200 meter crown with a time of 11:09.58.
According to distance coach Gary Lee the plan was to, "Come through the first lap in 3rd or 4th place with a time of about 80 seconds. She came through in 4th place in 78 seconds." Lee continues, "Claire sat in 4th for 2 laps and then moved up to second right behind Danielle Berndt of Bloomington Kennedy. Claire and Danielle pulled away from the other competitors. Claire was content to let Danielle break the wind until the backstretch of the last lap. Claire then blew by her and won by about 3 or 4 seconds. Her last lap was a 76."
3200 Meter recap:
at 400 meters -- Berndt ... 77
at @800 meters -- Berndt ... 2:42
at @1200 meters -- Berndt, Richardson ... 4:08 ... then Stack, Peterson
at @1600 meters -- Berndt, Richardson ... 5:35 ... then Stack, Peterson
at @2000 meters -- Berndt, Richardson ... 7:01 ... then Peterson
at @2400 meters -- Berndt, Richardson ... 8:29 ... then Peterson
at @2800 meters -- Berndt, Richardson ... 9:53
Finish - Claire Richardson (Blake) wins in 11:09.58 ... 2nd Danielle Berndt (Kennedy) 11:12.20 ... 3rd Heidi Peterson (Sartell) 11:29.31
Claire Richardson has earned top five finishes at the Minnesota State Cross Country meet every year since she was in 8th grade, helping her team to top four finishes the last three years. Claire has placed every year in Minnesota State Track and Field Meet as well. Richardson's state meet performances were highlighted last year with a second place finish in the 3200-meter race and placing fifth in the 1600. The Blake Bears were crowned the 2006 state champions with Claire earning 15 of the 52 points.
Claire Richardson has recently committed to attend Harvard University and run both cross-country and track for the Crimson.
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