Elise Cranny commits to Stanford
Elise Cranny commits to Stanford
Niwot High School star and Colorado standout Elise Cranny has committed to Stanford University. Cranny shortened her list of potential destinations to the University of Colorado, the University of Oregon, and Stanford before finally choosing Chris Miltenberg’s squad in Palo Alto.
"It was a very difficult decision because I liked Colorado and the coaching staff there," Cranny told Flotrack. "I also liked coach [Maurica] Powell at Oregon. However, Stanford was the best fit for me both athletically and academically. The team was super friendly on my visit and they are all such incredible people. I also love coach [Chris] Miltenberg and coach [Mary Jo] Pruitt. I chose Stanford because I believe that I can grow as a student, athlete, and person there."
"It was a very difficult decision because I liked Colorado and the coaching staff there," Cranny told Flotrack. "I also liked coach [Maurica] Powell at Oregon. However, Stanford was the best fit for me both athletically and academically. The team was super friendly on my visit and they are all such incredible people. I also love coach [Chris] Miltenberg and coach [Mary Jo] Pruitt. I chose Stanford because I believe that I can grow as a student, athlete, and person there."
For Cranny, 2013 was a breakout season, to say the least. As a junior, she ran 4:58 at altitude before dropping an 18-second personal best with her 4:40.62 win at New Balance Indoor Nationals. That time ranks #5 all-time for high school girls.
Her skyward progression continued outdoors. Against some of the top collegians in the NCAA, Cranny set a new 1500m personal best with her 4:15.07 third place finish at the Payton Jordan Invitational. The mark made her #3 on the all-time 1500m list for high school girls.
Justine Fedronic, Cranny's soon-to-be teammate at Stanford, finished second in the same race in 4:14.69. That time is #7 in Stanford school history.
Justine Fedronic, Cranny's soon-to-be teammate at Stanford, finished second in the same race in 4:14.69. That time is #7 in Stanford school history.
Cranny competed against professional athletes on two occasions, running 4:15.86 at the Portland Track Festival (finishing fourth) and 4:16.58 at the American Milers Club (third).
This past fall at Nike Cross Nationals, the 1500m specialist finished second behind Camas High School's Alexa Efraimson in 16:53.8. Cranny's finishing time was well under the previous course record of 17:27, held by Chelsea Sveinsson of Texas.
The talented Cranny has had some coaching help from from a former Niwot assistant coach and current Boulder, CO resident, Jason Hartmann. During the summer of 2012, Cranny was privately coached by the 2:11 marathoner.
“[He's] been most influential to my success in cross country. He has always been there for me,” she told Milesplit last fall.
The sky's the limit for the future Cardinal. She's an accomplished swimmer, the daughter of two experienced triathletes, and has run fairly low mileage in her career (Runner's World had her around 30 to 35 miles last April). Only time will tell whether Cranny and her wealth of untapped potential will contribute to the Stanford record books, which includes the likes of Lauren Fleshman and Sara (Bei) Hall.
“[He's] been most influential to my success in cross country. He has always been there for me,” she told Milesplit last fall.
The sky's the limit for the future Cardinal. She's an accomplished swimmer, the daughter of two experienced triathletes, and has run fairly low mileage in her career (Runner's World had her around 30 to 35 miles last April). Only time will tell whether Cranny and her wealth of untapped potential will contribute to the Stanford record books, which includes the likes of Lauren Fleshman and Sara (Bei) Hall.