After an outstanding performance at the state meet, Holy Trinity junior Colleen Schmidt competed in the 2009 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships at Sunken Meadow Park on Long Island. Schmidt set a Holy Trinity school record and the CHSAA course record with a time of 18:35. She finished in fourth place, and qualified the national meet.
Colleen was excited about her performance. “During the race, I felt like I was being pushed,” Schmidt said. “The last time I ran the course, I was running alone. All I thought was to just make it to San Diego. It’s a good feeling to think that of all the runners who have ever run for the CHSAA, I'm the one who holds the record.” The record had been held by Holy Trinity alum Katie DiCamillo.
Schmidt’s accomplishment wasn’t lost on Holy Trinity cross country coach James Muller. “Colleen went in with a very clear plan and executed well again,” he said. “Her ability to better her Federation performance at the Foot Locker meet is a testament to the hard work she put in over the summer and during the season.”
Schmidt will now get set for Foot Locker National Championships, which will be held on December 12th at Balboa
Park in San Diego. Holy Trinity girls track coach Justin Renna was also impressed. “Colleen went out and ran a perfect race,” Renna said. “Against the toughest competition she has faced so far she responded with a personal best. I look forward to her hopefully finishing in the top 15 at nationals.”
