Liz Gesel (5th, Northeast)

Liz Gesel runs up front 800 meters into the 2001 Foot Locker Northeast Regional. (Fast-Women.com photo, click to enlarge)

Hometown: Manchester, NH
High School: Manchester Central High School
Year of Graduation: 2002

Leading up to the 2001 Foot Locker Northeast Regional, Liz Gesel knew she had national-qualifying potential. She had finished first or second in every race she'd run this season, and most of the girls who had beaten her were Foot Locker finalists themselves. "I tried to stay really confident. I knew I could finish in the top eight, it was just a matter of me going out and doing it," Gesel told the New Hampshire Union Leader. She finished fifth in 18:19, outkicking Pennsylvania's Jessica Cickay. Gesel is at least the third Manchester Central runner to qualify for the Foot Locker National Finals. Emily Hodgson did it in 1992 and Codi Vachon in 1999.

Other Notes:
...Won the national steeplechase title last spring at the adidas Outdoor Track & Field championships after only practicing the event once...

In the News:
Gesel and Truax qualify for national run (11/25/01)
Gesel finishes second, by one second, at New Englands (11/11/01)
Finsihes second to Catherine Bryson at NH Meet of Champions (11/3/01)
Freshman adds spark to Central's punch (11/1/01)
Wins NH State Meet (10/27/01)
Gesel finishes second to Roetter at Brown (10/20/01)
Gesel, Central win Manchester City Championships (10/17/01)
Invitational is NH's chance to shine (9/29/01)
Central hopes to recapture state title under new coach
A season for sports like no other
Gesel wins national steeplechase title (6/18/01)