I haven't been able to watch an NCAA Cross Champs since like 2008/2009. Told myself, "Hey, I have a Saturday morning off for first time in years...have access to ESPN...why not?". I have watched 1000's of races from middle school to Olympics, participated in hundreds myself...what I just saw from Parker Valby was incredible. No, incredible isn't the right word. Not sure if...DECIMATING. She tore that field apart. About 800-900meters in it was like, "Bye..." It was like watching the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis, chasing down mythical prey. She attacked every hill, every rise, every decline, ran her tangents better, didn't look back, trusted her strengths. I'm not a Parker Valby 'fanboy' per se, since NC State is basically 90minutes from where I live and I root for NC teams in general in collegiate championships...I kind of hoped Tuohy could pull off another title before leaving...but wow...Valby just put on a cross country master class for anyone watching.
And NC State women...wow...I actually thought they wouldn't get it after their #2, Kelsey, was MIA...but they stepped up big time...I mean big time...so props off to them. A 3-peat in any NCAA sport, any division is tough...to keep team members working together for that long...impressive. All that said, a late Saturday morning well spent. Congrats to Ms. Valby and to NC State women. And to all the Tuohy fans...don't hang your head...that girl had an amazing collegiate career, and hopefully will transition well into the next level in time.