Girls after the race

Alicia Craig 
interview after winning battle of undefeated runners 
with her good friend Anita Siraki

"It was great to race after 6 weeks off (since the Wyoming state meet). It was a very challenging race . . . so many great girls."  Did it matter if she won today? "It's always nice to win,"  but she wouldn't have left her best race here.   "In a national race, you can let it all out, but this week the main thing was to qualify."    Returning to Finals:  "It's so exciting.  The great thing is getting to meet so many wonderful girls, and the great competition."  Doug Speck asked if she was convincing Anita Siraki to go to Stanford (where Craig has already signed):  "I'm working on it."

Anita Siraki 
interview after finishing 2nd, her first loss of the year

"It was different having someone in front of me."
Did it matter that she didn't win?  "No.  I was just going for top 8.  I'd rather save my legs for next week.  I'm excited about going to finals again.  It's so awesome."   

Sara Bei interview after qualifying for the national 
finals for the third time in four years.  

"Definitely a better feeling (this year),"  said Bei, who was favored to win the region in 1999 and led the race late, but faded to 10th.  DyeStat suggested she seems to be returning to her younger form, which took her to Foot Locker finals her freshman and sophomore years and several California state titles.   "I'm trying.  I feel like racing is more exciting now.  There's less pressure.  You don't feel like you have to win every race and break all these records.  I'm really enjoying it now."  She also said she is " excited to go to Florida.  It's been a while."  (She only missed 1 year out of four!)

Laura Zeigle 
interview after winning 2nd straight trip to Orlando

"I was sick last night, but felt good today.  I knew I could qualify if I ran my race."   Re her mid-season slump when she lost a couple of races.  "I had some problems . . . physical and mental.  But I knew I'd get back up there.  I feel fine now."

Liza Pasciuto interview after 6th place finish sends her 
to the national finals as a freshman.

"It's exciting.  I thought I had a chance to get second team
 (West Regional) but I didn't think I would get sixth place."

Clara Horowitz beams after 7th place run 
earns her a trip to Disney World