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Lead Stories: Sunday, November 23, 2008

Lemoncello Carries British Hopes into World Cross

Posted March 28th, 2008 at 7:07 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field

andrew lemoncello british distance and cross country runner It’s not often that a major world championship comes to Great Britain, seemingly a prime opportunity for the host country’s best athlete’s to shine. However, only a handful of Britain’s best have answered the call to run for Queen and country, and an athlete with an American father and a Scottish mother who works part-time at a restaurant in Flagstaff, Ariz., will be the U.K.’s top man when the gun sounds for the senior men’s 12 km race here on Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Lemoncello, a talented steeplechaser who starred at Florida State University and won the ACC indoor titles at 3000m and 5000m last year, is excited to compete in Holyrood Park. Rooming with Irishman Martin Fagan in high altitude Flagstaff where he is coached by American Greg McMillan, Lemoncello has come through a snowy winter with some solid training under his belt.
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Podcast 108: ANNA WILLARD Olympic Steeplechase Hopeful

Posted December 10th, 2007 at 12:32 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 108 of The Final Sprint Podcast,
the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with ANNA WILLARD; a standout at Brown and then the University of Michigan as well as one of the U.S. favorites for the first ever women’s Olympic steeplechase.

In the interview Anna talks about her exceptional year, record-setting performances at the Penn Relays, her first IAAF World Championships and the fatigue caused by the spring track season at Michigan.

Download the podcast to hear Anna discuss these topics, as well as, why she believes winning the steeplechase at the U.S. Trials may require an American record, how special it would be to compete in the first ever Olympic women’s steeplechase, waiting until to March to begin her 2008 season, and much more!

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Anna Willard
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 13.7 MB | Length: 20:02 MIN

Episode Sponsored By: Nike +

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Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress,
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Podcast 78: Olympic hopeful &
“Steeplechic” ANN GAFFIGAN

Posted September 11th, 2007 at 4:07 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years Bill Rodgers Sportswear is closing out their line of high-quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

Episode 78 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with Olympic 3000m steeplechase hopeful, former University of Nebraska star and steeplechics.com developer ANN GAFFIGAN.

In the interview, Ann talks about her current health, overcoming nagging injuries, the “relief” of not competing at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships because she knew she was unable to give her best efforts, and cutting her weekly mileage from 100 to about 55 to get back on track.

Download the podcast to hear Ann discuss these topics, as well as, thoughts of competing in the marathon, the need for more, post-collegiate track & field running groups, admiring the success of her fellow, American female steeplers, and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Ann Gaffigan
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File Size: 17.4 MB | Length: 25:23 MIN

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years Bill Rodgers Sportswear is closing out their line of high-quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

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Steeplechase popularity increasing among American women

Posted August 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Running & Training, Track & Field, Training Tips

ann gaffigan steeplechaser runner track and field The 3000m Steeplechase never has had as much of a following as have other track events. In fact, only recently did it become an official Olympic sport for women. (The inaugural women’s 3000m Steeplechase will be held in Beijing, China in 2008.) All of that is beginning to change, however, especially for women in the United States.

For you ladies interested in becoming steeplechasers, there’s a great resource for you over at Steeplechics.com, a website that “provides a medium for a growing body of information, about steeplechase for girls and women.”

The site is run by Ann Gaffigan, a steeplechaser and 2004 University of Nebraska graduate. Gaffigan was the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials champion in the 3000m Steeplechase. Gaffigan has been hindered for some time by a mysterious ailment that has kept her from performing at her best.

When I caught up with her recently, she mentioned that she was finally on her way back to top form, saying: