Redefining Performer of the Year - Best of 2009
Dec 30, 2009
Its been a while since there has been middle distance runners from the US that challenged to be the best in the world.....2009 was a different story. We were bombarded with outstanding performances all year with athletes like Rowbury, Wurth-Thomas, Barringer and Vessey. However, one athlete was not only producing times but also winning international races! Anna Willard posted 5 major victories between the 800 and 1500 meter distances and helped redefine US middle distance running on the World scene. Outside of a 6th place finish at the World Championships (her highest to date), Anna placed within the top four of every race she ran. Her second place finish in the Zurich 1500 made her the third fastest American All-Time (and #1 US in '09) with her mark of 3:59.38. She set a major PR in the 800 at 1:58.80 and was just off her steeple best with a 9:26 early in May at Carson. Anna showed the world that the American women are no joke. When joined by her US teammates named above, it looks like we're going to have a lot to look forward to in years to come...
(Highlights from Universal Sports)
