2004 FOOT LOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Post-race interview with Marie Lawrence

by Ricky Quintana

Marie Lawrence, a sophomore at Reno High School in Reno, Nevada, finished second at the 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 17:39. She also finished second at the 2003 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

Marie Lawrence (Photo: Alison Wade/NYRR)

Fast-Women.com: How did the race go?
Marie Lawrence: It went pretty good. I'm happy with what I did. I'm glad I got second again.

FW: How did you feel?
ML: It felt pretty good. I think my race last weekend [the Foot Locker West Regional] was hard on me. It's hard when you have to run a race and then run another hard one again the following week. But I felt pretty good. Now, I'm a little sore and tight, but I felt pretty good during the race.

FW: Did you expect Aislinn [Ryan] to push the pace?
ML: I knew she had gotten a lot better, but I didn't think that she would be the one going out there pushing the pace. I thought it would be Ramsey [Kavan] or Brie [Felnagle].

FW: Where do you feel she made the biggest move?
ML: She kind of made a surge at the two mile. She got in front of me. Then, on the uphill she [increased her lead].

FW: The times were a little slower today. Do you have an explanation for that?
ML: I'm not sure what it was. I think everyone's time was a little slower. It might have been the mud. I'm not sure what really happens here. I think it was the mud mostly.

FW: You tried a really big move down the hill. Do you just let go on the hills and let your legs carry you?
ML: Yeah. One of my strong points in my race is the downhills. Even if I know they are going to catch me or they're not going to catch me, I just always go out on the downhills because that's [my strength].

FW: How do you feel about getting here for a second time?
ML: It feels pretty good. I'm just glad to make it and I'm glad I got second because I wanted to get second or better. I'm just glad with what I did and I'm just happy with my race.

(Interview conducted on December 11, 2004, and posted on December 14, 2004.)